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EBBA 31968

University of Glasgow Library - Euing
Ballad XSLT Template
The St. Giless Broker.
Shewing how he was cheated in buying a Green Goose, with an Account of several sorrowful
Circumstances which followd thereupon.
To the Tune of, Ladies of London.
Licensed according to Order.

THere was a wealthy old Broker of late,
Whose Wife was an absolute Beauty,
But he so often did kiss his Maid Kate,
he seldome did Family Duty,
Eery night she might tumble and toss,
shed nothing but Dreams to inflame her,
So at the length she was desperate cross,
but tell me what Christian could blame her.

But as it fell out upon his Birth-day,
some two or three Friends he invited,
There to take part of a Green Goose they say,
but yet that civil Wife whom he slighted,
She to the Market then would not go,
he must trudge himself if hed feast her,
Yet a good Green Goose this Spark did not know,
so well as his Dog knew a Tester.

Yet he declard that he well understood,
a Goose when he came to the Woman,
For when she showd him one both white and good,
he swore hed be cheated by no man,

Saying to her, Dame what do you mean,
I would not have this if youd givet me,
Ill have a Goose that is delicate Green,
a wiser than you cannot cheat me,

Now when she see his right ignorant skill,
and being resolved to please him,
She pulld out one that was at Turners Hill,
this into his hand streight she givs him,
A Green Goose there is not in Town,
it being one of mine own killing,
The First I showd you was but half a Crown,
for this I must have full Three Shilling,

Tell me why did you not shew this at first,
which seems to be greenish all over,
With that he streightway did down with his Dust,
said he, of Green Geese Im a Lover,
Home to his house he strutted in state,
and there of his Bargain he boasted,
Then gave it into the hands of young Kate,
and said it must streightways be roasted.

But it sent forth a strong dainty Perfume,
when being a while at the fire,
Kate calld her Master streight into the Room,
and said Sir, I strange and admire,
You should buy this, tis not worth a souse,
no one would be able to eat it,
Nay, it will stink us all out of the house,
I vow and protest you are cheated.

Prithee said he let another be bought,
and go thy self Kate I entreat thee,
And cast this same in some secret Vaut,
and likewise take care they dont cheat thee,
Honest poor Kate the innocent Maid,
she did as her Master advizd her,
And as the Goose down the Vaut she convey,
some two or three Women surprizd her.

Then to a Justice they hauld her with speed,
concluding some child she did smother,
That she might suffer for that wicked Deed,
and calld her a Murderous Mother,
Yet she declard it was but a Goose,
but Justice nor none would believe her,
Telling her, that was an idle Excuse,
to Gaol she was sent, which did grieve her.

For her returning he waiting did stand,
And seemd to be highly offended,
At length a Letter came to his Wives hand,
which showd the Maid was apprehended,
Reading the same, she to him did run,
with railing his Ears she surrounded,
See what your impudent Gillian has done,
an innocent Brat she has drounded,

Then to the Justice he trottd amain,
and told him a sorrowful Ditty,
When the whole storoy he then had made plain,
his case he did presently pity,
Kate was releasd then home they did go,
her Master did lovingly hand her,
Now ever since those that do him well know,
they call him the Cunnig Old Gander.


Printed for P. Brooksby, J. Deacon, J. Blare, and J. Back.

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