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EBBA 35352

Houghton Library - 25242.67
Ballad XSLT Template
The Royoters Ruine,
In a Dialogue betwixt a Spend-thrift and a Whore.
Or, a Relation of a two-penny Bargain.
Of a Spend-thrift proffering two pence to a Whore
Having spent all but that on her before.
The Tune is, He that hath most Money is the best Man.

A Lusty young Shaver, a vapouring Gallant,
That vainly had spent, and consum'd his estate,
In Taverns and Ale-houses wasting his talent
Resolving, repentance did then come too late,
Examining then of his Pocket, he found it
Was very much empty, and he was grown poor,
Quoth he now my Moneys gone all to one two-pence
I'l make a clear end and spend that on a Whore.

And as along in the streets he was walking
He chanced with one of his Mobs for to meet,
All in her silks and her bravery adorned
With a Complement he there his Mobsie did greet,

Sweetheart if you will go with me to an Ale-house,
And grant me thy pleasure now I am grown poor
I have but one two-pence left, on thee I'l spend it,
Quoth she then go look out your two-penny Whore.

My dearest thou knowest my former condition
And how I have spent my estate upon thee,
And now for to slight me it breeds my contrition,
And makes me with sorrow tormented to be.
For I have but two-pence left, and I will spend it,
On thee, I protest my love I have no more,
Quoth she you may serve for a Pimp to another
For I will be none of your two-penny Whore.

WHen formerly I in my silks was adorned
And about my neck wore, a fine flanders lac'd Band
Upon my head was no less then a Beaver,
What was there then I had not at command
Remember that we two, at that time together,
Took sweet recreation, before I was poor,
Quoth she Sir at that time I was your companion,
And what must I now be your two-penny Whore.

My former acquaintance with nearest relations
Because I before their advise would not take
Do very much slight me, men of reputation
My company shuns, and do me quite forsake,
And bids me go seek for my baudy companions
Where I have consum'd my estate all before,
Quod she I would have all your friends for to know it
That I will be none of your two-penny Whore.

Thou know'st that in company we two together
Have caused five pounds to be spent at a Clap
An out of my Pocket O how canst thou sl[i]ght me,
And then could so closely hugge me in thy Lap.
It was for my money and not for my person,
That you did my company so much adore
However I pray thee bestow me this two pence,
Quoth she I will not be your two penny whore.

How often with Oaths, and with great protestation
Ingaged you have to be faithful to me,
In weal or in woe I should nere be forsaken,
And now all my Coyn's gone, I slighted must be
But yet here's a two pence left pray thee now take it
And let us do once as we have done before.
Quoth she I nere did for two pence and therefore
Be packing and hunt out your two penny whore.

Well then my dear Love if you'l not be perswaded
To take this my money because it is small,
Let us do a little, a very, very little
For former acquaintance and that shall be all.
Quoth she, I do scorn for to break my old custome,
Another man I have to wait on therefore
I must bid a farewel both to you and your two pence
For I scorn to be counted a two penny whore.

Quoth she Sir before we depart I will tell you,
I dare undertake, to proscribe you a way
How you may be doing, then let's to an Alehouse
But take notice before, Halfe a Crown is my pay
Then give your two pence in earnest at present
You shall have your request sir, although you be poor
But this I must tell you before you begin it,
Ile set seven Groats Sir upon your old score.

And thus you may see the condition of wantons
And in what a wanton condition they are,
Before they will leavs of their lustful occasions
If they cannot get money they trust out their ware,
They'l keep a man company while his Coyn lasteth
And never forsake him untill he be poor.
And then much ado he shall have with his wanton,
For one single Jobbe to set on the score.

You Gallants and others I wish you be careful,
That have an Estate, lest you vainly to waste
And fly evil company, of them be fearful,
Lest into Poverty you should be cast,
And afterwards you be forc't with submission
To creep unto those where you spent all your store
The best way I know of, for you to prevent it,
Is to keep your goods out of the hands of a Whore.


Printed for T. Passenger at the three Bibles on the middle of London Bridge.

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