West-Country TOM Tormented,
OR,
Vexed to the Heart by the News-Mongers of the Town.
He vow'd he'd neither talk nor prate,
orany News would give,
Concerning the Affairs of State,
but would at quiet live.
To the Tune of, Lilli borlero.
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I Am a Lad that's come to the Town,
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who from the West did travel of late;
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And they do call me Country Clown,
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because I will not prattle and prate:
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I no sooner came to London,
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but by the hand a friend did me take,
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And News did require, but 'twas my desire,
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I told him neither to meddle nor make.
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As I came by a Coblers Stand.
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where he was set a sowing his Shoes,
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After me then he straightaways did call,
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saying, my Friend, I prithee what news:
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This did straightways raise my anger,
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knitting my brows, my head I did shake;
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Do not stand bowling, but mind your own Calling,
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for I will neither meddle nor make.
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I having heard Men talk of rich Wine,
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some of that drink methought I did lack,
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Then I resolv'd a Tavern to find,
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where I wou'd buy two pennoth of Sick:
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Being in my Leather Jacket,
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Gallants unto poor Tommy did speak.
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Concerning the Army, but they cou'd not charm me,
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I swore I wou'd neither meddle nor make.
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Some said the Prince to London wou'd come,
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then we shou'd be more happy than e're;
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Others declare we all were undone,
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if to the City he did repair:
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Thus they talk'd like men distracted,
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but not a word to them did I spake,
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But as I sat drinking, I paid it with thinking,
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but vow'd I wou'd neither meddle nor make.
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Some they did drink a Health to the Prince,
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with a fair Orange pac'd in a Glass,
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And without any seeming offence,
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flowing full brimmers freely did pass:
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Then they call'd to Leather Breeches,
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saying to me this Health I should take,
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I'de not be at leasure, they might do their pleasure,
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for I would neither meddle nor make.
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Then I went to the Royal Exchange,
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where they discours'd of matters of State,
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3 bobs, thought I, 'tis wondrous strange,
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that they do talk at such a rude rate:
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Some were seemingly Disloyal,
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the which did cause my heart for to ake,
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But the I stood neuter, and was no disputer,
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vowing I'de neither meddle nor make.
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Then a young Spark all in a vine coat,
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in a great rage his Rapier he drew,
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Swearing he'd make me alter my Note,
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and tell him more than ever I knew:
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But as he was coming to me,
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I with my Club his Noddle did break.
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And said, honest Neighbour, take this for your Labour
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for I will neither meddle nor make.
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Then to a Barbers Shop I did go
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where being plac'd and set in the Chair,
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Straightways he did desire to know
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what kine of News abroad I did hear?
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This did make me near Distracted,
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unto my hee[l]s I straightways did take,
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I r[a]n and I Raved, with half my Beard shaved,
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crying, I'de neither meddle nor ma[k]e.
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