A use of Exhortation
TO THE
LONDON
APPRENTICES
OR,
A second Message after their
PETITION.
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YOung-men where are you now; what fast asleep?
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What in a Dream? or do you keep
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Close to the fire-side, because 'tis cold?
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Or (as your Masters say) must you be told
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Over and over; What are you blinde?
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Besotted quite, or do you fear the winde?
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Or has the Gun-men plung'd you into fears?
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Or are you frighted with their Bandileers?
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Why gaze you thus? like men distracted,
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Looking at one another, and nothing acted:
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Crying a Lyon lurketh in the way,
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Whenas 'tis but a Lobster, whom (men say)
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Turn him but o're and o're he'l turn to you;
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Then turn for shame, O sluggards, least you rue
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When 'tis too late, be wise betimes,
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Methinks the Countries valour should ring chimes:
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Unless you stop your eares, you can't but hear,
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How EXITER and CORNWAL banish fear;
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They help for you, to better your condition,
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They hazard All, to fulfil your Petition;
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Yet you won't help yourselves, I blush to see
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Such pettie places venture more then We.
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Then Prentices, awake, awake, for shame,
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Be faint no more, all cowardize disclaim;
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Disband feamality, let courage be your Portion,
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In such a case, Vallour's the best Devotion.
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Petitions will not do, fare means are slighted,
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You are compell'd, at least, much more invited,
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To do the Work yourselves, then since 'tis so,
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Shew yourselves men, about the business go:
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Time is a precious thing, forbear delay,
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Whilest the Sun shines, be sure to make your Hay.
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Fear not Cornation-coats, they are but men,
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They'd rather eat then fight; not one in ten,
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But (like self-seeking Rascalls) are so evil,
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For Sixpence more they'd List unto the Devil.
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Then Blades revive, thus far I dare aspire,
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You may yourselves accomplish your desire:
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The Day's your own, and such is your condition,
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Yourselves may quickly grant your own Petition.
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Till these things come to pass, till this We see,
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Serve Jacobs Prentiship, you shan't be Free.
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Till Men have noble hearts, till Youths grow bold,
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Till Men do one anothers good uphold,
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Till Valour springs, till Courage doth increase,
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Till Wrong have Right, expect no settled Peace:
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Here's Arguments enough, if you be wise,
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Reduce your Honour, though you lose your Eyes,
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Uphold your Trade, maintain the Good Old Cause,
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Un-coat the Lobsters, take away their clawes.
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Take this for all, I have no more to say,
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I am the guide to put you in the way;
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Here's the right Path, hang him that goes astray.
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