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EBBA 33623

National Library of Scotland - Crawford
Ballad XSLT Template
THE
Poor Whore's Lamentation:
OR,
The Fleet-street Crack's Complaint
FOR
Want of TRADING.
To the Tune of, The Guinea wins her, etc.
Licensed according to Order.

PRay hear my Lamentation
young Gallants of the City,
Without dissimulation
Afford one grain of pitty;
Unto a Lady of the Town,
Cloath'd in a ragged tatter'd Gown,
For Traiding's grown so dead,
Upon my Maiden-head,
That though abroad I stay,
I do not yearn I say
Sometimes a groat a day;
We are poor, the trade was never so before.

I once did wear my Tower,
Rich Silks and sumptuous Laces,
They all were in my power,
I got them by Embraces;
My Chain and Locket both of Gold,
Which was most delightful to behold,
And Sparks did me adore,
I rol'd in Guinneys store;
This was a living Trade,
My Plumes I then display'd,
And kept my Waiting-maid,
But now, now, their Trade will not such State allow.

They treated me with Nector,
To gain a minute's pleasure,
Yet over them I'd hector
And make them wait my leasure,
I was the topping Crack of all,
Noble Lords would at my Lodging call;
I went in rich Array,
Much like a Lady gay,
But now my Sleves of Lawn,
And Smocks are all in pawn,
My Cullies are withdrawn,
I strange, strange, at such a sad and dismal change.

My price it was a Guinny,
Not long before last Easter,
But now there is so many,
I'm glad to take a Teaster,
For why the Trade is spoil'd of late
There's little Nancy, Bridget, Prue and Kate,
They'll play at you no what,
For Two-pence and a Pot;
And thus quite through the Town,
The prizes are run down,
We ne'er get half-a-crown,
Well paid, those Gillians has so spoil'd the Trade.

There's Bridget, Prue and Nancy,
They'r fond and foolish Nises,
If they a Cully fancy,
They'll never stand for prizes,
Immediately on him they'll dote,
But this makes them wear a Thread-bare-Coat;
And I among the rest,
With sorrows am opprest,
To see it worse and worse,
If it continues thus,
I shall be bound to Curse,
Them all, who first did let their Prizes fall.

I was as fair a Creature,
As most was in the Nation,
You never saw a sweeter,
When in my Golden Station,
My beauty is not much decay'd,
For if I had but a living Trade,
I shou'd be fine and gay,
Then Gallants come away,
My name is loving Nell,
I do in Fleet-street dwell,
And I shall use you well,
Come amain, and raise my honour once again.


LONDON: Printed for J. Bissel, near the Hospital in West-Smithfield.

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