The Lamentation of
Seven Journey men Taylors,
Being sent up in a letter from York-Shire, and writen in verse by a wit.
Giving a true Account of a Wench, who being with Child, laid it to seven Journy-men
Taylors, who at length was forc'd to contribute each Man his Penny a day to defray the
extraordinary Charge; with other circumstances which this had like to have incurred
upon the seven distressed Journey-men-Taylors: This being published for the good of
all Journey-men Taylors, lest they unhappily do fall in the like distress.
To the tune of, I am the Duke of Norfolk.
Entred according to Order.
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ATtend and you shall hear,
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New News from York-shire,
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Of a Letter that was sent up in Rhime;
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Wherein they plainly show,
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Seven Taylors Overthrow,
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And this was in Cowcumber time.
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These Taylors they agreed,
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And a Wench it seems they see'd,
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That they might have a finger in the Pye,
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Their Wits they were so wild,
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They got a Wench with Child,
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And belive me it is no Lye.
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Then the Taylors and their Miss,
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Went before the Justice,
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And all along the Streets as they went,
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Then the People they did jeer,
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And the Taylors srunk for fear,
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O there was a most horrid Scent.
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O but when they did come near,
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Before the Justice to appear,
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Their hearts they began for to fail,
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With many cruel fears,
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Hanging down their Ears,
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Like a Dog that had burnt his tayl.
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The Wench she made it out,
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That each Taylor had a bout,
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But yet could not certainly say,
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Whether William, Tom, or Dick,
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Or who might do the trick,
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So the Child to them all she did lay.
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The Justice to them said,
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You have wronged this poor Maid,
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Therefore then without any fail,
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You must bring to me,
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Some good Security,
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Or else you must all to a Jale.
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The Taylors answer
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To the JUSTICE.
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Goid Sir hear us what we say
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We work for a Groat a day,
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And like your Worship we can earn no more,
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Though we have done amiss,
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I pray excuse us this,
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For we never did the like before.
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That's neither here nor there,
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For the Child you shall take care,
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And also the woman too indeed,
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They sent and got a friend,
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And soon did make an end,
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The Taylors with the Wench they agree'd.
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As we do understand,
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Each Taylor set his hand,
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To give each man his penny a day,
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And thus among them all,
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Their Charges was but small,
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They went most contentedly away.
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But when they did come home,
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Their Wives did fret and fome,
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For it seems they had heard of the thing;
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Their tongues they did not spare
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But like thunder in the ayr,
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They did make the whole town for to ring.
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Their Wives did puff and snuff,
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They did both kick and cuff,
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That the Taylors was almost undone,
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Then all about the town,
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They did kick them up and down
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The poor Taylors knew not where to run.
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Then to their Wives they bow'd,
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And Solemnly they vow'd,
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If they would their Fury refrain,
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then they would spend their lives,
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In pleasing of their Wives,
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And would never do the like again.
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Thus by this sad Disaster,
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Their Wives became their Master[s]
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Which makes the poor Taylors now to [mourn]
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For as we understand,
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Their Wives they bear command,
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Now they dare not say their soul's their [own].
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This Letter it was sent,
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With an honest good intent,
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To all the poor Taylors far and near,
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That they might mend their Lives
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And prove honest to their Wives,
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Least the like of this fall to their share.
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