THE
Pretended Country Squire,
WITH
An Account of his Last WILL and TESTAMEN
Together with a whole Dicar of Legacies bequeathed to his New-found Friends; who at length,
to their unspeakable Sorrow, are left in the Lurch.
To the Tune of, Merry and Glad.
Licensed according to Order.
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1.
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COme listen, while I here unfold
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as strange a Prank as e're was known,
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Of one being Fifty-five years Old,
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who near Temple-Bar wander'd all alone.
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2.
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The Grave appearance of his Face,
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and Cloath'd in a dejected Weed,
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Straight caused a Baker near that place,
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to ask him of what he stood in need.
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3.
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I lack a Lodging Sir, he cry'd,
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as being but a Stranger here:
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The Baker immediately reply'd,
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thou art welcome to me, kind Friend, ne'r fear.
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4.
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This kindness he could not deny,
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he never stood disputing long,
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'Twas good to embrace a Friend, for why,
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his Pockets was but two Shillings strong.
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5.
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Now while he was residing there,
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in hopes to live at a Splendid rate,
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He did to the Baker then declare,
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that he was a Man of a vast Estate.
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6.
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Quoth he, I stand engag'd this day,
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for full five hundred pounds, or more,
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The which I have sworn I'll never pay,
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although I have thousands lies by in store.
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7.
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'Tis for this cause I do abscond,
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and come to London in this sort:
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The Baker of such a Guest grew fond,
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believing his feign'd and false Report.
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8.
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At length this Spark fell Sick and weak,
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and they no Costs or Charges spare,
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For learned Physicians with speed they seek,
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the better to shew their indulgent Care.
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9.
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At their own Cost, they purchas'd free,
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what ever Art or Skill could name,
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Supposing their languishing Guest to be
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a Country Squire of worth and Fame.
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10.
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The Baker in Sobs did sigh full sore,
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grieving for him with melting eyes,
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And being Collector of the Poor,
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he brought a kind Brother to weep likewise
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11.
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With Sobs they did his Chamber fill,
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nothing but bitter sighs he hears,
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At which he resolv'd to make his Will,
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to gratifie them for all their Tears.
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12.
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He thus begins with Christian care,
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and gives them all to understand,
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A Cousen he means to make his Heir
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now of his head Manour, House and Land.
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13.
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The honest Baker next he Will'd,
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to have a branch of his Estate,
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In token of Love which he beheld,
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in Christian-like friendship from him of late.
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14.
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The Bakers Wife, Son, Daughter dear,
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he many hundred pounds did leave,
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A Generous Soul he did appear,
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each reckond they had not much cause to grieve
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15.
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He left them Horses, House and Land,
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his tender love did so abound,
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So much as the Nurse, we understand,
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he left the sum of a hundred pound.
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16.
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The Master would not let his Boy
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come near the Squire while Sick he lay,
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Lest he should a Legacy then enjoy,
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to set up a Bake-house another day.
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17.
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His Gifts, we see, were not a few,
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no Man was e're more kind than he;
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Nay, he left them Rings and Mourning too,
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so Liberal was he in each degree.
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18.
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For a Rich Coffin straight they go,
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his Splendid Glory they'll not blast;
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Twelve pounds on the same they did bestow,
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but here comes the Devil of all at last.
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19.
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This Sham-pretended Squires Love,
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was found e're he was laid in Grave.
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Since he an Impostor thus did prove,
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now never a Penny they'r like to have.
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20.
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His new Friends in a Rage did say,
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they never knew so vile a Creat;
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Therefore his Rich Coffin they took away,
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and hardly afford him a Winding-Sheet.
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