England's Complaint:
Or, the Nation's Abuse thro
Clipping and Coyning.
To the Tune of, When I was young, I had no Wit.
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I.
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CLippers and Coyners
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your Works are not right,
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The Curse of the Nation
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upon you will light;
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[?]r Clipping of Plate,
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and Coyning of Dross,
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By which Rich and Poor
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hath come to much Loss.
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II.
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The Curse of the Merchants,
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who Credit doth give,
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Will light on your Jackets
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as long as you live,
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Who are forc'd to take Guineas
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at Value too high,
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Since Clipping and Coyning
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good Money doth stry.
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III.
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The Curse of our Gentry,
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who Lands out do farm,
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Must likewise attend you,
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for they have some Harm;
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Who quite careless are
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their Rents to call in,
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Since our Coin is compos'd
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of Brass, Iron, and Tin.
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IV.
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The Curse of poor Tradesmen
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may make your Hearts ake,
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Who stands in their Shops
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good Money to take;
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And when they have sold,
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and comes to be paid,
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To receive one Half Crown
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their Hearts are afraid.
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V.
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The Curse of poor Soldiers
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who fights for their Pay,
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And must take your Trash
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without saying Nay;
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Are many and grievous,
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and on you will rest,
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Since they amongst others
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thereby are opprest.
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VI.
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The Curse of our Saylors,
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or at least their poor Wives,
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Will light upon Coyners,
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who Mischief contrives;
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New Rings for their Fingers
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can hardly be had,
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Our Gold is so dear,
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and our Money so bad.
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VII.
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The Curse of all Ale-wives
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most heavy will light,
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Your Clipping and Coyning
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doth them a great Spight;
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Such at your vile Actions
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in no wise can wink,
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Who must change a bad Shilling,
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or loose their good Drink.
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VIII.
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And above all the rest,
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the Curse of the Poor
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Will Coyners persue,
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and lye at your Door:
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Who when they have wrought
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a long Summers day,
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A Counterfeit Shilling
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is dropt for their pay.
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IX.
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With which their poor Wives
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to the Market doth hye,
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And many things cheapen
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before they can buy;
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The dread of false Coyn
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doth Sellers surprize,
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That scarce one in Ten
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can believe their own Eyes.
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X.
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Were you all to be hang'd,
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as some Coyners have been,
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Or burn'd at a Stake,
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it would be no sin;
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For the worst of High Robbers,
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I tell you what's true,
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Deserves much more favour
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than any of you.
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