THE
CANTER's Confession:
OR,
The Old Round-head
Turn'd RANTER.
To the Tune of, The Guinea wins her, etc.
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GIve hear to my Confession,
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Which freely I am making,
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Friends I have some Discetion,
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Or else I am mistaken;
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'Tis true my hoary Head is gray,
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Now indeed as very well it may,
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For why, in Forty one,
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I was a Zelots Son,
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And ever since those days,
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Be't spoken to my praise,
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I turn'd ten thousand ways,
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And I still, can practise anything that's ill.
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Sirs, of a restless Spirit,
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I ever was by Nature,
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Good worthy Men of Merit,
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I took delight to Satyr;
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If they were of the weakest side.
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Then I'd come in like a flowing Tide,
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And let them understand
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How far I bore command;
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And then to cog and lye
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And flatter, who but I,
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My noble Standers-by;
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I did Reign, much like a Villian then in grain.
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I thought by my Ambition,
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Myself an Alexander,
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And got a high Commission,
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To be a Field-Commander;
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But once we having lost the day,
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Like a nimble Deer I run away,
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Full speed I think as most
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Light Horse or flying Poast;
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The Sword which then I wore,
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I threw away, and swore,
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I'd never Fight no more,
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For my part; I being frighted to the heart.
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I chang'd my Cloak of Scarlet,
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For one as black as Sable,
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And vow'd, I'd cuff Romes Harlet
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As fierce as I was able.
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But not with Carnal Weapons, no,
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For the Preaching-Trade I straight did go;
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Then, then, the Whore of Rome
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From me receiv'd her Doom,
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As loud as I could baul,
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I told her she should fall
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With Turk, nay, Pope and all;
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Thus, kind Sir, I made my party good with her.
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But long this had not lasted,
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Are I was out of favour,
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My Glory being blasted,
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My Mind began to waver;
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I for a Time was in the dumps,
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Till I had discover'd what was Trumps,
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And then I play'd again,
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But clear another strain,
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Resolv'd I was to glide
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With pleasant Wind and Tide,
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And keep the strongest Side,
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This is true, What would you have a Brother do?
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Now, now, I am a Quaker,
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A seeming serious Brother,
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A head-strong party-maker,
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My former Cant I'd smother,
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But that I know the World has heard,
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How in various shaps I have appear'd;
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Yet like a Babe of Grace,
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I have a serious Face,
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Likewise the gift of Prayer,
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Besides, I do declare
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I can with Hectors Swear;
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Thus am I, fit for all kind of Company.
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