The Cruel LAND-LORD:
OR,
The Fortunate Husband-man:
Containing a sweet and comfortable Cordial, after sharp and sower sorrow, as you shall find by this following
Ditty.
To the Tune of, If Love's a sweet Passion, etc.
|
THere was a poor Man liv'd in Somerset-shire,
|
Who by his loving Wife had five Children dear;
|
And tho' every day he did work and take pains,
|
Yet so great was his charge and so little his gains,
|
That he scarce could get Bread for to fead then with all,
|
When they did to their Father for Nourishment call.
|
All kind of Provision was rais'd in a trice,
|
Being forc'd an compell'd to give double the Price
|
For our Bread-corn, and likewise all manner of Food;
|
From which Consideration we well may conclude,
|
That it must be a sorrow and grief to the poor
|
Who receive for their Work not one Penny the more.
|
The Rich at a plentiful Table do feed,
|
While the Poor they are ready to Perish for need;
|
As by woeful Experience we well understand,
|
For there is many good Familes now in this Land,
|
That can hardly bear up, let them do what they can,
|
Ay, and such was the case of this honest poor Man.
|
His Wife she fell Sick, and did languishing lye,
|
At the end of full seventeen Weeks she did dye;
|
In which time he could ne'er pay the Land-lord his Rent,
|
Who did threaten him daily, That he should be sent
|
To a Prison, where he should forever remain,
|
For without Rent he ne'er would release him again.
|
He cry'd, Be not so Cruel, Pray Land-lord forbear,
|
You shall not lose one Penny, I'll work and take care
|
For to pay you next Harvest; yet this was in vain,
|
Having bury'd his Wife, and returning again,
|
He arrested this poor Man, and sent him to Jayl,
|
For he had not a friend that would stand for his Bayl.
|
The cries of the Infants did ring in his Ears,
|
And in sorrow they paid a sad tribute of Tears;
|
Yet this cruel Oppressor no pity would show,
|
But to Prison the poor Man was forced to go;
|
While his poor little Infants did weep and bewail,
|
Their dear Mother was Dead, and their Father in Jayl.
|
There was a poor Widow that liv'd in the Town,
|
Who did readily proffer to part with a Crown
|
Towards raising a Sum, the said Land-lord to pay,
|
Her example was follow'd by others next day;
|
So they quickly releas'd their poor Neighbour from thrall,
|
Having somewhat to feed his poor Children withal.
|
About five Weeks after this Action was done,
|
He had an one loving Cousin, a dear Sister's Son,
|
Who did dye without Issue, and made him his Heir;
|
Horse and Man being sent for to find him out there,
|
For to take Possion of two Hundred a Year,
|
Which does lie in the middle of fair Dorset-shire.
|
Soon after he was in Possion of all,
|
He return'd to the Town, for his Friends he did call,
|
Who had hope him from Prison, requiting their love,
|
But the poor honest Widow he honour'd above
|
All the rest of his good Benefactors and Friends,
|
For he took her to Wife for to make her amends.
|
Some blam'd him for making that Widow his Wife,
|
But he answer'd, saying, She saved my Life,
|
Had it not been for her, I in Goal might have dy'd,
|
She's deserving and worthy to be my sweet Bride;
|
I shall always remember her love and good will,
|
And while life does remain I will honour her still.
|
This cruel Oppressor which was so unkind,
|
He began to be vexed and mad in his mind,
|
He that had been his honest mean Tenant before,
|
Was at last the head Land-lord of his and much more;
|
For the cruelty acted when as his Wife dy'd,
|
He was fearful he would prove a Thorn in his side.
|
Whose Sorrow was evermore sharp and severe,
|
Yet he now has no less then two Hundred a Year;
|
Thus we see how good Providence still does take care,
|
Of the Poor and the Needy, then who shall dispair?
|
Let us trust in God's Mercies tho' never so poor,
|
It is he that in love can replenish our Store.
|
|
|
|
|
|