EBBA 21278
Magdalene College - Pepys
Ballad XSLT Template
The Countrey Clerk
OR, Great Hopes soon Lost.
To the Tune of, Moggies Jellousie ,
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T Here was an Attorney of Lincoln
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that had an a bonny young Clark,
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As ever made use of an Inkhorne
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and every way a trew Spark.
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By all people counted most witty
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and known to have Wit at his Will ,
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Exceeded by none of the City,
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and excellent was with his quill.
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And if he was proud who can blame him
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that did so well know his own Parts
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When all the whole Country did fame him
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and every where spred his Desarts,
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The Lawyers confest him the rarest
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that e're of his time they did know:
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The Ladies proclaim'd him the fairest
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and against it, ther'es none could say no.
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His Master to London did take him
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in eighty four Michaelmas Term,
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That he a Professiant might make him
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in all that the Laws did concern:
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And there he behav'd him so rarely
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although in the Town he was Raw
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The Clarks all confessed him farely
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the wittyest that ever they saw.
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They led him abroad i the City
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and then went to shew him a play
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He swore that the Ladies were pritty
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and the Men they were wonderous gay.
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But all his Art could not secure him
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the Women did act with such Grace
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The House and the Play so alluring,
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that he was quite fond of each Face
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But walking himself out in London
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he met with a delicate Lass
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And there such, an Action is soon done
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in any one Street that you pass
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The Lady pretended to stumble
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and caught him her self for to save
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Then into his Arms, she did tumble
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but humbly his Pardon did crave.
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Oh Madam quoth he nere excuse it
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This accident Heaven design'd,
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W hich if you deny you abuse it
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and Heaven & not you that was kind
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Dear Sir quoth she, if you'l believe me
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I'le swear I'm ashamed at my Heart,
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Dear Madam quoth he i'le forgive you
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If as yet you desire not to part.
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She sight and form that the youth ventur'd
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to hand her a long as his one
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The very next Tavern they enter'd
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the Drawer soon shew'd them a Room.
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He call'd both for French W ine and Spanish
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for Sturgion for Oyl and Cavere
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And a Plate of Sugar and Reynish
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for nothing for her was to dear.
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What all this was for you may guess it
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how kindly that time was inclin'd,
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The Squire he does humbly confess it
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was Master of all he design'd,
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Tho nimbly he rifled the Pinace
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yet she made as quick a dispatch:
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From one Fob she pickt 20 Guinies
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from the other his Grandfathers Watch.
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And when she had done she soe kist him
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his thoughts of a second assault
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So pleas'd him that he never mist 'em
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nor ever suspected a Fault.
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She took up the Pispot demurely
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and walkt with it behind the door
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And slipt down the Stairs so securely
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that he never did see her no more.
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By this time the youngster did Rally
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his Courage for a fresh Amour:
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But if hee'd a mind for to sally
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the Spark must go seek a fresh W hore.
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But alack how his Heart fell a aking,
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how quickly his courage grew cold
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And in a most pittiful taking
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for the loss of his Watch and his Gold.
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Within a few days a good Surgion
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his Appetite rather requir'd,
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Then Claret Canary or Sturgin
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or the Lady so much he admir'd
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But he to the Country must Travel
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his Master a time did propose
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To soon to be cur'd of his Gravel
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so went down with a Pirle at his Nose.
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Printed for P. Brooksby at the Golden Ball in Pye-Corner .
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