A most excellent Ditty, called Collins Conceit
To the tune of Wigmores Gallard.
|
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 .
|
|
|
|