The Sorrowful Complaint Of
Conscience and Plain-Dealing.
Against Millers, Userers, Taylors, and Hostisses, By which poor Conscience and Plain-
Dealing was sufficiently abused, as you shall hear by these following lines.
To the Tune of, Packingtons Pound.
This may be Printed, R. L.S.
Entred according to Order.
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AS through the City I passed of late
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Plain Dealing I met in a sorrowful state,
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Both Cold and Dejected, and slighted with all,
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His grief it was great, and his comfort was small:
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Poor Conscience stood by him and clearly dismay'd,
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To think that they would not have him in their trade
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For most of the Nation upon them did frown,
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Plain-Dealing and Conscience is clearly run down.
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We have been a ranging the Nation all round,
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To seek entertainment, yet none can be found;
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The Graziers and Farmers were all in a rage,
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Against poor plain-Dealing they vow'd to engage;
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Each Miller came out with a lusty great Club,
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And bid us be gone, or our sides they would drub,
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And thus we were posted through every Town,
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Plain-Dealing and Conscience were clearly run down.
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For thus said the Millers if Conscience should stay,
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We then must give half of our profit away;
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For out of a Bushel we can't take a Peck,
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But Conscience will presently give us a check
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And Plain-Dealing too he is one of the crew,
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that straight way will cry we took more then our due
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For this very reason upon us they frown,
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Plain-Dealing and Conscience was clearly run down.
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Our Enemies daily increased so fast,
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That up to the City we travel'd at last,
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For good entertainment we much did not fear,
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But when we come there we were never the near:
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The Misers whose coffers was cram'd well with gold
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Plain Dealing and conscience they would not behold,
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But knitting their brows, and upon them did frown
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Plain Dealing and Conscience is clearly run down.
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The Userers cry'd they must both be deny'd,
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Should we entertain them then what would betide,
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Of this our Silver and plentiful store,
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The which we have gotten by grinding the poor:
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We should have no comfort, peace, quiet, nor rest,
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If conscience should harbour or lodge in our breast,
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For this very reason upon us they frown,
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Plain-Dealing and Conscience is clearly run down.
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But when we beheld how the Misers did frown,
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We then went amongst all the Taylors in Town,
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The Taylors no sooner of Conscience did hear,
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But then how they trembled and quaked for fear:
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But yet to poor Conscience they gave an abuse,
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And threw at Plain Dealing their shears & their goose,
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Then knitting their brows upon us did frown,
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Plain-Dealing, etc.
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The Taylors discoursed and held this dispute,
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We can't pinch a Coat in the making a Suit,
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But Conscience will presently flye in our face,
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With frights and with fears of a future disgrace:
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And thus he would have our profit but small,
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For Conscience allows us no Cabbidge at all,
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This is the main reason upon us they frown,
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Plain-Dealing, etc.
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Poor Conscience he then to the Ale-wives did go,
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But yet they no favour nor friendship would show:
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The Host he did fret, and their wives they did fume
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And would not so much as show Conscience a room
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For fear he should into Extravagance run,
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And tell them of all their old tricks they had done,
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For this very reason upon us they frown,
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Plain-Dealing, etc.
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'Tis poor Men that Labour & brings them the coyn
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Which deckt them in Silks and in Laces so fine,
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When may be their wives & their children may lack
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Both food for their bellys and cloaths to their back
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Yet two pots for one they will commonly score,
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But Conscience will sharply reprove them therefore
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For this very reason the Hostess doth frown.
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Plain-Dealing, etc.
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The Ale-wives in order your stomachs to fit,
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Will bring in the morning a Relishing bit,
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And these are the baits and the snares which they lay
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To tempt and allure men to tarry all day
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Then calling for Brandy, Tobacco, and Beer,
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Ah then how the Hostis will simper and sneer,
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And these are the tricks of the most in the town,
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Plain-Dealing, etc.
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Then learn to be thrifty before you grow Old,
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For Age is despised and Charity's cold:
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For should you now labour and bring them the gains,
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They then would but call you Old sot for your pains
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Then let these few lines be your rule and your guide
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For now is the time for to keep down their Pride,
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Then joy will encrease and your comforts excell,
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Then keep a good Conscience and all will do well.
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FINIS.
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