Few words are best.
Come buy this new Ballad before you doe goe,
If you raile at the Author, I know what I know.
To the tune of, I tell you but so.
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IT is an old saying,
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that few words are best,
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And he that sayea little,
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shall live most at rest,
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And I by experence,
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doe find it right so,
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Therefore Ile spare speech,
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but I know what I know.
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Yet shall you perceive well,
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though littele I say,
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That many enormities,
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I will display,
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You may guesse my meainug,
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by that which I show.
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I will not tell all.
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but I know, etc.
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There be some great climbers
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composd of ambition.
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To whom better borne m[e]n:
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doe bend with submission,
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Proud Lucifer climbing,
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was cast very low:
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Ile not stay these men.
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but I know, etc.
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There be many Foras,
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that goe on two legs,
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They steale greater matters.
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then Cocks, Hens, and Egs,
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To catch many Guls,
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in sheeps clothing they goe:
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They might be destroyd.
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but I know, etc.
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There be many men,
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that Devotion pretend.
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And makes us beleeve,
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that true fatih theyl defend,
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Three times in one day,
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to Church they will goe.
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They cozen the world,
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but I know. etc,
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There be many rich men,
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both Yeoman and Gentry,
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That for their owne private gain
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hurt a whole Cuntry
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By clothing free common.
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yet theyl make as though.
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Twere for commons good,
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but I know, etc.
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There be divers Papists,
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that to save their Fine,
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Come to Church once a month
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to heare Service Divine,
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The Pope gives them power,
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as they say to doe so,
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They save money byto,
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but I know, etc.
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There be many upstarts,
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that spring from the Cart,
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What gotten to the Court,
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play the Gentlemans part:
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Their fathers were plain-men,
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they scorue to be so,
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They thinke themselves brave,
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but I know, etc.
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There be many Officers,
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men of greate place,
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To whome if one sue,
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for their favour and grace,
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He must bribe their servants,
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while they make as though,
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They know no such thing,
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but I know. etc.
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THere be many woman,
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that seeme very pure,
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A kisse from a stranger,
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theyl hardly endure:
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They are like Lucrecia,
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modest in show;
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I will accuse none,
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but I know what I know.
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Likewise there be many,
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dissembling men,
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That seeme to hate Drinking,
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and Whoring yet when
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They meet with a Wench,
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to the Taverne theyl goe;
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They are civill all day,
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but I know, etc.
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There be many Batchelours,
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that so beguile,
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Beleeving kind Lasses,
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use many a wile,
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They all swear that they love,
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when they meane nothing so,
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And boast of these tricks,
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but I know, etc.
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Theres many an Usurer,
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that like a Drone,
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Doth idely live,
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upon his moneys lone,
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From tens unto hundreds,
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his mony doth grow:
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He sayes he does good,
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but I know, etc.
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There be many Gallants,
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that goe in gay rayment,
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For which the Taylor,
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did ner receive payment,
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They rufle it out,
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with agorgeous show,
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Some take them for Knights,
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but I know, etc.
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There be many Rorers,
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that swagger and rore,
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As though they i thwarre had, bin,
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seven yeares and more.
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And yet they ner lookt
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in the face of a Foe:
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They seeme gallant Sparkes,
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but I know, etc.
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Theres many both women,
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and men that appeare.
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Wiih beautifull out sides,
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the worlds eyes to bleare:
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But all is not gold,
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that doth glitter in show,
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They are fine with a pox,
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but I know, etc.
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There is many rich Tradesmen
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who live by deceit,
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And in weight and measure,
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the poore they doe cheat,
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Theyl not sweare an oath,
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but indeed I and no,
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They truely protest,
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but I know, etc.
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There be many people.
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so given to strife,
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That theyl goe to law,
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for a two penny knife.
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The Lawyer ner askes them,
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why they doe so,
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He gets by their Hate,
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but I know, etc.
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I know there be many,
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will carpe at this Ballad,
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Because it is like,
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sowre sawce to their Paliat:
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But he, she, or they,
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let me tell ere I goe,
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If they speak against this song,
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I know what I know.
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