The Ranting Rambler:
OR,
A young Gentleman's Frollick thro' the City by night; where he was
taken by the Watch, and sent to the Counter because he would not speak, and the next day
brought before my Lord-Mayor, where his Pardon was begg'd by his loving Daughter.
To a pleasant new Tune, called, The Rant. Dal, derra, rarra.
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I Pray now attend to this Ditty,
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a merry and frollicksome Song;
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'Twas of a young Spark through the City,
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by night he went ranting along.
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The Rant, Dal, derra, rarra, etc.
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The Constable happen'd to hear him,
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and call'd to his Watch out of hand;
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They went forth and never did fear him,
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but presently bid him to stand.
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The Rant, etc.
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Come bring forth the Lanthorn and Candle,
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that streight we his Person may seize;
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I hope we have power to handle,
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such turbulent Fellows as these.
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The Rant, Dal, derra, rarra, etc.
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Sir, come before Mr. Constable,
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there to be examin'd in course;
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Nay, if you refuse it we're able,
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to bring you before him by force.
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The Rant, etc.
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Friend, where have you been this late hour,
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ne'er baffle, but now tell me true;
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'Tis very well known I have power,
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to punish such Ranters as you.
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The Rant, etc.
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No Person like him ever acted,
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his Senses and Reason is fled;
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I think that the Fellows distracted,
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why han't you a Tongue in your Head?
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The Rant, etc.
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I'm the King's Lieutenant, don't flout me,
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my Power all Persons will own;
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The Watch are my Nobles about me,
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this Chair is a Type of the Throne.
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The Rant, etc.
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This Touch of my Office I'll lend him,
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my Power o'er night he don't mind;
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Therefore to the Counter I'll send him,
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next morning a Tongue he may find.
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The Rant, etc.
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The Watch-men did streightways surround him
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and him to the Counter they bring,
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And yet notwithstanding they found him
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resolved this Ditty to sing.
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The Rant, etc.
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Come open Turn-key of the Prison,
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this Ranter must with you remain,
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While sleep has restored his Reason;
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our Master will call here again.
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The Rant, etc.
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The Keeper he said, Worthy Squire,
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you seem like a Person well bred;
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Will you have a Chamber and Fire?
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or shall we provide you a Bed?
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The Rant, etc.
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Come bring him a Quart of Canary,
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and Pipes of Tobacco also;
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The Gentleman seems to be merry,
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he'll pay us before he doth go.
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The Rant, etc.
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The Prisoners heard the Oration,
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how he in his Rant did proceed,
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And therefore without Disputation,
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they all came for Garnish with speed.
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The Rant, etc.
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And streight they laid hold of his Bever,
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and told him he Garnish should pay;
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The Keeper he us'd his endeavour,
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to pacifie them while next day.
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The Rant, etc.
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The Constable that was offended,
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next day to the Goal did repair,
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And being with Servants attended,
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he brought him before the Lord-Mayor.
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The Rant, etc.
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As I in my Watch-house was sitting,
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this Fellow a Racket did keep;
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A Humour which was much unfitting,
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he waken'd Men out of their sleep.
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The Rant,
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Said I, Where is your Habitation,
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I question'd this over and o'er;
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But he would give me no Relation,
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but still he came ranting the more.
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The Rant,
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My Officers has he not rested,
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in this you must satisfie me;
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They to my Lord-Mayor streight protested,
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no Man had slept better than he.
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The Rant,
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Do's such a strange Humour attend you?
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will you by strange Fancies be lead?
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Again to the Counter I'll send you,
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to cure the strange Noise in your head.
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The Rant,
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Then straitways came in my Lords Daughter,
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and begg'd that he might be set free,
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And said Sir, I know that hereafter
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you'll find this a Wager to be.
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The Rant,
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He streightways did grant her desire,
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and to her Request he agrees,
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And did the young Gallant require
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to pay down his Officers Fees.
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The Rant,
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To pay which the Gallant was ready,
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yet never a Word did he say,
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But made a Bow to the young Lady,
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and then he went singing away.
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The Rant, etc.
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