The St. Giles's Broker.
Shewing how he was cheated in buying a Green Goose, with an Account of several sorrowful
Circumstances which follow'd thereupon.
To the Tune of, Ladies of London. Licensed according to Order.
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THere was a wealthy old Broker of late,
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Whose Wife was an absolute Beauty,
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But he so often did kiss his Maid Kate,
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he seldome did Family Duty,
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E'ery night she might tumble and toss,
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she'd nothing but Dreams to inflame her,
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So at the length she was desperate cross,
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but tell me what Christian could blame her.
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But as it fell out upon his Birth-day,
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some two or three Friends he invited,
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There to take part of a Green Goose they say,
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but yet that civil Wife whom he slighted,
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She to the Market then would not go,
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he must trudge himself if he'd feast her,
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Yet a good Green Goose this Spark did not know,
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so well as his Dog knew a Tester.
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Yet he declar'd that he well understood,
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a Goose when he came to the Woman,
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For when she show'd him one both white and good,
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he swore he'd be cheated by no man,
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Saying to her, Dame what do you mean,
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I would not have this if you'd give't me,
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I'll have a Goose that is delicate Green,
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a wiser than you cannot cheat me,
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Now when she see his right ignorant skill,
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and being resolved to please him,
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She pull'd out one that was at Turners Hill,
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this into his hand streight she giv's him,
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A Green Goose there is not in Town,
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it being one of mine own killing,
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The First I show'd you was but half a Crown,
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for this I must have full Three Shilling,
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Tell me why did you not shew this at first,
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which seems to be greenish all over,
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With that he streightway did down with his Dust,
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said he, of Green Geese I'm a Lover,
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Home to his house he strutted in state,
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and there of his Bargain he boasted,
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Then gave it into the hands of young Kate,
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and said it must streightways be roasted.
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But it sent forth a strong dainty Perfume,
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when being a while at the fire,
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Kate call'd her Master streight into the Room,
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and said Sir, I strange and admire,
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You should buy this, 'tis not worth a souse,
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no one would be able to eat it,
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Nay, it will stink us all out of the house,
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I vow and protest you are cheated.
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Prithee said he let another be bought,
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and go thyself Kate I entreat thee,
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And cast this same in some secret Vaut,
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and likewise take care they don't cheat thee,
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Honest poor Kate the innocent Maid,
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she did as her Master adviz'd her,
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And as the Goose down the Vaut she convey
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some two or three Women surpriz'd her.
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Then to a Justice they haul'd her with speed,
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concluding some child she did smother,
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That she might suffer for that wicked Deed,
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and call'd her a Murderous Mother,
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Yet she declar'd it was but a Goose,
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but Justice nor none would believe her,
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Telling her, that was an idle Excuse,
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to Gaol she was sent, which did grieve her.
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For her returning he waiting did stand,
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And seem'd to be highly offended,
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At length a Letter came to his Wives hand,
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which show'd the Maid was apprehended,
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Reading the same, she to him did run,
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with railing his Ears she surrounded,
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See what your impudent Gillian has done,
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an innocent Brat she has drounded,
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Then to the Justice he trott'd amain,
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and told him a sorrowful Ditty,
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When the whole storoy he then had made plain,
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his case he did presently pity,
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Kate was releas'd then home they did go,
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her Master did lovingly hand her,
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Now ever since those that do him well know,
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they tall him the Cunnig Old Gander.
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