The Jolly Gentleman's FROLICK:
OR,
The City Ramble.
Being, An Account of a young Gallant, who Wager'd to pass
any of the Watches, without giving them an Answer; but
being stop'd by the Constable at Cripple-gate, was sent to the
Counter, afterwards had before my Lord Mayor, and was
Clear'd by the Intercession of my Lord Mayors Daughter.
To a Pleasant New Tune.
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GIve ear to a Frollicksome Ditty,
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of one that a Wager did lay
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He'd pass any Watch in the City,
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and never a Word he wou'd say
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But, Dal, derra, rarra, etc.
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The Constable spake to his Watch-men,
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brave Boys, it is my Delight,
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And Orders have for to catch Men,
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who Ramble too late in the Night.
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The Humour, etc.
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The Streets do Eccho, we hear, Boys,
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with Mad-men coming along,
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My Staff is ready, ne'r fear, Boys,
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we[']ll make 'um alter their Song.
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The Humour, etc.
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Stand, stand, says the Bell-man,
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the Constable now come before,
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And if a just Story you tell, Man,
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I'll Light you home to your own Door:
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The Humour, etc.
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This is a very late season,
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which surely no Honest Men keep,
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And therefore 'tis but just reason,
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that you in the Counter should sleep.
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The Humour, etc. (Sad.)
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Take away this same Fellow,
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and him to the Counter convey,
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Although his Frollick is mellow,
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he something to Morrow will say.
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The Humour, etc. (Sad.)
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Open the Gate, make no scorning,
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take Charge of your Prisoner there,
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And we will soon in the morning,
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appear before my Lord Mayor.
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The Humour, etc. (Sad.)
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A Bottle of Claret I'll fill, Sir,
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some Pipes of Tobacco, beside,
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And if that it now be your will, Sir,
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a Bed for you soon we'll provide.
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The Humour, etc.
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This Frollick soon Eccho'd the Prison,
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the Debters his Garnish would have;
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Without demanding the reason,
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whate're they requir'd, he gave.
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The Humour, etc.
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The Constable soon the next day, Sir,
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this Comical matter to clear,
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The Gentleman hurrys straightways, sir,
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before my Lord Mayor to appear.
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The Humour, etc.
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My Lord, give ear to my Story,
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while I the truth do relate,
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The Gentleman standing before ye,
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was seiz'd by me at Cripple-gate.
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The Humour, etc. (Sad.)
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I nothing could hear but his Singing,
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wherefore in the Counter he lay,
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And therefore this morning I bring him,
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to hear what your Lordship will say.
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The Humour, etc. (Sad.)
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Come Friend, the Case does appear now,
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that you was in a Mad Fit,
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I hope that you may be clear now,
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since Sleep has restor'd you your Wit.
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The Humour, etc. (Sad.)
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This Gentleman sure is Distracted,
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he's over-heated his Brain,
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Since he thus silly has acted,
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to th' Counter I'll send him again.
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The Humour, etc. (Sad.)
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A Prison sure it will tame him,
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and bring him soon to his Sense,
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There's nothing else can reclaim him,
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from this his notorious Offence.
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The Humour, etc. (Sad,)
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O then bespake my Lord's Daughter,
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and for him did thus Interceed,
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Dear Father, you'll hear that hereafter,
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this is but a Wager, indeed.
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The Humour, etc.
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Therefore be pleased, kind Father,
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to hear one word more of me,
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And shew to me so much favour,
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this Gentleman may be set free.
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The Humour, etc.
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Well, Daughter, I grant your Petition,
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the Gentleman home may repair,
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But yet 'tis upon this Condition,
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of paying my Officers there.
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The Humour, etc.
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Come Sir, your Fees we require,
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you free'd are now by the Court,
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And all that we do desire,
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you'll find out some other new Sport.
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The Humour, etc.
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Thus seeing he might be Released,
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if he his Fees did but pay,
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He then was very well pleased,
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and so went Singing away.
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The Humour, etc.
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