THE
GENTLE CRAFT's COMPLAIN
OR,
The Jolly SHOE-MAKERS humble Petition to the
Queen and Parliament; with their great Hopes of the Advance-
ment of each Leather Trade.
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Tune of, Now, now comes on the glorious Year.
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THE jolly Shoemakers, 'tis said,
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Hath found a great Decay of Trade,
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And lately have been sore dismay'd,
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And in a dismal Taking.
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Because the Leather was grown dear,
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And carried over Sea, we hear;
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But Gentle Craftsmen never fear,
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You'll still be brisk Shoemakers.
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It is a noble ancient Trade,
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No Man on Earth can it degrade,
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And must the Craft now be decay'd,
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No, no, be not mistaken.
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Crispin and Crispianus too,
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The Town of Feversham well knew,
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And likewise noble good St. Hugh,
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Were all of them Shoemakers.
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This Craft was never held in Scorn,
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Sir Thomas Eyer did it adorn,
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A Shoemaker's Son a Prince is born;
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But now they've undertaken,
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To send their Grievance to our Queen,
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In Hopes a Draw-back to obtain,
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And the Parliament their Case hath seen.
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They'll still be brisk Shoemakers.
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This is the Substance of their State,
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Much unwrought Leather was of late,
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Sent over, and the Taxes great,
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Made jolly Hearts to ake, Sir.
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To think their Trade should so decay,
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For many out of Business lay,
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Each Prentice had no Heart to stay,
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That will be brisk Shoemakers.
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The Parliament hath heard their Grief,
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And quickly will extend Relief,
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For Thousands of the very Chief
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Of them hath undertaken,
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In this great Action to proceed,
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And there's no Doubt but will succeed,
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And by our Senate be decreed,
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To make them brisk Shoemakers.
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All others that in Leather deal,
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The Comfort too will also feel,
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What those Trades are we shall reveal,
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Glovers and Harness-makers.
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Coach-makers, Tanners, Skinners too,
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Translaters Joys it will renew,
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Then toss off Healths, Boys, since 'tis true,
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You'll still be brisk Shoemakers.
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The Book-binders doth Leather use,
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And Boys for Satchels doth it chuse,
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As well as he that mendeth Shoes,
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So doth the Breeches-maker.
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The Bellows-maker too beside,
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He is oblig'd to use Bull's Hides,
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Then Craftsmen lay all Cares aside,
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You'll soon be brisk Shoe-makers.
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It was your brave Boys by free Consent,
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That humbly in full Body went,
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Unto our noble Parliament,
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As you had undertaken.
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As a just Reward for all to see,
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This Nation will recorded be,
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Then toss full Bumbers, let them flee,
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To the Honour of Shoe-makers.
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Our noble Parliament you'll find,
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To English Tradesmen will prove kind,
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And ever will your Interest mind,
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Just now 'tis undertaken.
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They have consider'd your Address,
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Our noble Peers could do no less,
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Whilst all the World must still confess
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You're honest brisk Shoe-makers.
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No longer need you sigh and pine,
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But toss to Anna Flasks of Wine,
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The noble Craft will clearly shine,
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No Damp will overtake them.
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Then let a general Joy abound,
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In ev'ry incorporated Town,
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And great Augusts Joys be crown'd,
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To honour her Shoe-makers.
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Each Journey-man and 'Prentice too,
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And Masters, without more ado,
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May wear the Bones of great St. Hugh,
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For Work will ne'er forsake them.
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The Case will soon be alter'd quite,
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Each in his Labour may delight,
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Then toss a Jug or two each Night,
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For the Honour of Shoe-makers.
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Then jolly gentle Craftsmen all,
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Be merry, whatsoe'er befal,
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There will for you be a great Call,
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You are not yet forsaken.
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Then hollow, Boys, with a loud Huzza,
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And for our gracious Sovereign pray,
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You'll have Redress without Delay,
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And still be brisk Shoemakers.
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Then let the Pitcher walk amain,
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And drink their Healths up o'er again,
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Who your Complaints did not disdain,
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When you thought you were forsaken.
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'Tis our good Parliament I mean,
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And Royal Anne our noble Queen,
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Who Englands Friends have ever been,
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Now proves the brave Shoe-makers.
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Then let all Sorrows have an End,
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And God is Blessings down will send,
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And eke this noble Craft defend,
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And never will forsake them.
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But Trade and Business will encrease,
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Let Fears of wanting now quite cease,
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May nought but Health and Wealth and Peace
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Attend the brave Shoe-makers.
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Then to conclude, once more rejoice,
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Sing Crispins Fame in Heart and Voice,
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Throw up your Hats with Huzza, Boys,
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Great Joys you are partaking.
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Which will to you be now restor'd,
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Then toss the Bumber o'er and o'er,
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Remember these dull Times no more,
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You still are brave Shoe-makers.
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