%ISOlat1; %ISOlat2; %ISOnum; %ISOpub; ]> ENGLAND'S MERCIES / In the Midst of Miserys. / OR, / The Poor=Man's Comfort in a Time of Trouble. University of California - Santa Barbara The Early Modern Center Director Patricia Fumerton 1685 Early Modern Center, University of California Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA 08/07/2008 20839

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

2.226 R227482 2 Digbys Farewell Digby's Farewell Digby's Farewell Packingtons Pound Packington's Pound Packington's Pound POor England thy sorrows this many a year, / Has caus'd in thy mind a suspition of fear, date from content Pepys 2.226 Rollins (1) III:213-216; Wing E2994 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. 2: 226 ENGLAND'S MERCIES / In the Midst of Miserys. / OR, / The Poor=Man's Comfort in a Time of Trouble. ENGLAND'S MERCIES In the Midst of Miserys. OR, The Poor-Man's Comfort in a Time of Trouble. England's Mercies in the Midst of Miserys. Or, The Poor-Man's Comfort in a Time of Trouble. 1/2 sheet oblong folio, 210 x 300 cropped top edge, uneven inking 1685 Printed for J. Deacon, at the Angel without Newgate. J. Deacon Weinstein: content

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 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 8/7/2008 Santa Barbara, California, United States of America State & Times advice country/nation economics/trade 07/09/08 Checker Rachel Mann Metadata updated, xml created 7/5/2007 Checker Talya Meyers Ballad Checked 2006 Transcriber Summer Star Original Transcription 8/23/2004 Bibliographer Maggie Sloan Bibliographic SQL Database Record Created
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POor England in thy sorrows this many a year, Has caus'd in thy mind a suspition of fear, Dreading that thou should'd be brought very low, But be of good comfort it may not be so: We have a good God that still doth provide, If we do but serve him he will be our guide; We need not to fear that our Foes can devour They can do no more then the Lord gives them power What though the times they be never so bad, Yet be of good comfort and look not so sad, For every sorrow will sure have an end; If thou dost endeavour to make him thy friend: Who certainly will provide for the just In troubles and sorrows thou still shalt be blest: Thou need'st not to fear the fierce rage of thy foes Nor yet in the least to be discompos'd. Every morsel of bread thou dost eat, If thou art contented besure [it] is sweet; 'Tis better to thee then the Mi[ser]s great store, Though he hath abundance yet still he is poor:
His covetous heart is his Heaven for Gold, And's never at quiet though he doth behold A sufficient supply for many a year, Yet he is possest with a poverty fear. Why should we incumber our selves with such care To distract our wits or to live in despair, What though thy condition be never so mean, If there be content, there will comfort be seen: 'Tis certain we have not long for to stay, Death doth approach, and our lives doth decay, Then blessed is he that doth lye down in peace, His sorrows doth end, and his joys will increase. Why should we distrust in his Mercies at all, We see that his bountiful hand is to all. We find that he hath a regard to the poor, And feeds them with Bread from a plentiful store: And though thou art cast into Prison for debt, Yet be of good chear in the least do not fret; For thou shalt have food for to nourish thy life, And God will provide for thy Children and wife:
Some men are complaining that trading is dead, But blessed be God there is plenty of bread, The earth in abundance brings forth her increase, Can we be but thankful, and rest here in peace: We have no just cause to grieve and repine, Rely upon him who is so divine, For sure he is able always to provide, For thee and for me, and the whole world beside. Great persons that go so gallant and fine, That hath in their pockets great plenty of Coyn, Yet still they have troubles we daily do see, On this side the Grave there is no man is free: An extravagant Son may waste an estate, Which may to his Father much sorrow create, There is this way and likewise many ways more, That rich men hath troubles as well as the poor. Then let us prepare for the hour of death, 'Tis certain we must surrender our breath, For whether thou art prepared or no, Death will thee arrest, thou must certainly go, Then set not thy heart on things here below, For riches doth often thy mind overthrow, For better it is to live mean and upright, Then to have great plenty to ruine us quite. Alas in this life is trouble and pain, Let's keep a good conscience that we may obtain The true joys of Heaven, likewise perfect peace, And then all the cares of the world it will cease: That man that doth live and dye in the Lord, Shall certainly then receive his reward, For Death shall appear like a stingless friend, And lead him to joys which shall never have end. All you that have heard these words now of me, I wish they may prove an advantage to thee: To bear us thy Spirits in sorrow and care, And keep thee from every thought of despair: Then may we have comfort and joy to the end, As knowing that God will still be our friend, For he in his mercies will still us defend, And be our safe gaurd even to our lives end.
This may be printed, R.L.S. FINIS. Printed for J. Deacon, at the Angel without Newgate.