%ISOlat1; %ISOlat2; %ISOnum; %ISOpub; ]> A most excellent Ditty, called Collins Conceit. University of California - Santa Barbara The Early Modern Center Director Patricia Fumerton 1624 Early Modern Center, University of California Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA 02/25/2008 20030

The University of California makes a claim of copyright only to original contributions made by Early Modern Center participants and other members of the university community. The University of California makes no claim of copyright to the original text. Permission is granted to download, transmit or otherwise reproduce, distribute or display the contributions to this work claimed by The University of California for non-profit educational purposes, provided that this header is included in its entirety. For inquiries about commercial uses, please contact:

Patricia Fumerton Early Modern Center - English Department University of California Santa Barbara, CA 93105 United States of America EMail: pfumer@english.ucsb.edu

1.455 S1870 1 Wigmores Gallard Wigmore's Galliard Wigmore's Galliard COnceits of sundry sorts there are,/ but this Conceit of mine, then all things should be well. [with variations] Pepys 1.455 STC 5559 for H. Gosson [c.1625] (ent. 14 de. 1624); Rollins (2) 322 (Dec. 14, 1624, IV, 132). Pepys Library The Pepys ballads : facsimile volume Editor W.G. Day D.S. Brewer Cambridge [England] 1987 Information in this section of the Source Description refers to the original ballad manuscript. 1: 455 A most excellent Ditty, called Collins Conceit. A most excellent Ditty, called Collins Conceit A Most Excellent Ditty, Called Collin's Conceit 1/2 sheet folio, 263 x 178 cropped top, left and right edges, creased, damaged surface, uneven inking Printer 1624 Printed at Londond for H. Gosson[.] H. Gosson Weinstein: STC, licensing info

This document follows the guidelines specified for TEI.

XML Generated Automatically at 2/25/2008 1:39:57 PM Using EMC

XBallad Parsing Engine developed by Carl Stahmer.

TEI Template developed by Gerald Egan and Modified by Carl Stahmer

All apostrophes are encoded as '.

Any dashs occurring in line breaks have been removed;

All dashs are encoded as ‐ and all em dashes as —.

 Taxonomy used by Pepys to Organize Ballads in Albums A Small Promiscuous Supplement Devotion & Morality Drinking & Good Fellowship History - True & Fabulous Humour, Frollicks &c Love Pleasant Love Pleasant and Unfortunate Love Unfortunate Marriage Sea State & Times Tragedy Various Subjects Early Modern Center Ballad Project Keyword Taxonomy advice affliction/health alcohol animals/nature appearance Bible/biblical figures buildings/architecture catastrophe children class clothing/fashion country/nation crime death economics/trade entertainment family/procreation folklore gender historical figures & events holidays/seasons infidelity law London love maritime marriage military/war monstrosity mythology/Classical world news nobility/court politics/government punishment religious concepts religious figures religious types & sects royalty rural life servitude sex/sexuality supernatural/magic The New World travel trickery/deceit urban life vice violence virtue vulgarities/crass humor Library of Congress Subject Heading Taxonomy 2/25/2008 Santa Barbara, California, United States of America Humour, Frollicks &c advice crime religiousconcepts vice virtue 2/25/08 Checker Cat Zusky Checked transcription, updated metadata, added ESTC number from BL site, created XML 7/14/06 Transcriber Eric Nebeker Original transcription 7/25/2004 Bibliographer Simone Chess Bibliographic SQL Database Record Created
<seg n="1" rend="left"><hi rend="italic">A most excellent Ditty, called <hi rend="bold">Collins</hi> Conceit</hi> </seg> <seg n="2" rend="left"><hi rend="italic">To the tune of <hi rend="bold">Wigmores Gallard.</hi> </hi></seg>
C Onceits of sundry sorts there are, but this Conceit of mine, Doth wish all men to have a care, to live by wisdomes line. In my conceit if men would looke, where sacred vertues dwell. And live according to Gods Booke, then all things should be well. If wisedome were once made our guide, she would direct us right, Where now we daily flip aside, for want of wisdomes light. If we had faith, we need not feare the Devill nor powers of Hell: If godly faith our Anchor were, then all things should be well. If we could learne to love the Lord, with an unfayned love, And willingly obey his Word, as duty doth us move: If we would leave our wickednesse, wherein we doe excell, And give our mindes to godlines, then all things should be well. If people did not goe to Church, onely for fashion sake: If one would not another lurch, nor yet bad courses take: If all those that seeme so pure, would not by false weights sell, But justly deale, we might be sure that all things should be well. If men would not, to purchase gain, falsly themselves forsweare, Nor take the name of God in vaine, but live in dread and feare: If all hypocrisie were left, which daily doth excell: If we were not of zeale bereft, then all things should be well. If conscience were not overstrai'nd, for to oppresse the weake: If subtill mates were not maintai'nd, if none would promise breake: If spitefull men did not delight, in wrangling suites to dwell: If one kept not anothers wife, then all things should be well. If no man would false witnesse bear for lucre or for love: If no contentious people were disquiet for to move: If none would hurt the innocent, nor yet for money sell
Anothers life, twere time well spent, then all things should be well. If bloody murthering would cease, which doth for vengeance cry: If every man would seeke for peace, and live contentedly: If drunkennesse and gluttony, that doth so much excell: If none would practise cruelty, then all things should be well. If Parents would instruction use, and youth in time correct: Would youth good counsell note rfuse, but thereto have respect: If servants were obedient to those with whome they dwell If they were quicke and diligent, then all things should be well. If fornication were not us'd, nor foule adultery: In every place were bribes refus'd, and partiality: If no man would his neighbor wrong which far or neere him dwell, Nor stain their cr[e]dits with his tong, then all things should be well. If scolding queanes were punished, did witches hang or burne: If bawds and whores not sufffered, some had a blessed turne: If we did not delight to sit in sins darke shadow Cell: If godly wisedome governd wit, then all things should be well. If crafty heads wold once grow scant, which scrape and claw for gaine, The poore and needy soules that want would not so much complaine. If trust might lye safe in his bed, if truth might buy and sell, If double dealing once were dead, then all things should be well. If cunning Cutpurses and Theeves, were cleane out of the way, Then some false knaves that true men grieve should not remaine this day, If swearing were once out of ure, that none of oathes could tell: If lyes were left, we might be sure, that all things would be well. If carry-tales, that breed debate, were hid from Man and Wife: Then surely each man with his mate,
might lead a quiet life: If neighbors would like friends agree and love among us dwell: If pride might once expelled be, then all things should be well. If Landlords would leave racking rent, if usurie would cease: If we had not great male-content, this Land might live in peace. If Justice would not swerve at all, if malice would not swell: Might high aspiring climbers fall, then all things should be well. If rash and hasty people would to patience give place: If wrath were left, a number would not be so void of grace: If hatred were abandoned, were envie driven to Hell: If Idlenesse were punished, then all things should be well If deeds of charity were us'd. if poore men were not proud, If Officers were not abus'd, if dice were not allow'd: If Lawyers would not suits prolong, but to their Clients tell How cases stand, if right or wrong, then all things should be well. If flattering pick-thanks were expeld out of the Common-wealth: If men a moderate dyet held, they might live long in health: If hel-bred covetousnesse and pride did not amongst us dwell: If rich men were not mercilesse, then all things should be well. If poore mens states were pittied, which doe in prison lye: If sick folke were much comforted, in their necessitie: If Trades-men did not use deceit, if fraud did not excell: Did wicked men practise no sleights, then all things should be well. If these false traitors were found out, which would this Realme betray, Then should all England round about, stand at a better stay. That wicked vices may decay, and vertue beare the bell, To God let us most humbly pray, and so we shall doe well.
FINIS .
Printed at London for H. Gosson