THE HANG-MANS LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT: WITH His Lagacy to the Nine Worthies, viz. Col. Lambert, Creed, &c.
I Have liv'd to see such wretchedness,
When none but honesty are crimes,
That my ropes are turned into rimes.
I and my Gallows groane.
Things are so carried I can't tell how,
Ther's as many above still as are below,
I have hang'd such in shirts as white as snow.
I and my gallows groane,
Oliver he liv'd by a plot,
The Parliament sits still, and why not?
And I far'd well by a bow-knot.
I and, &c.
All my delight was in a Jayle,
My estate was got at a Carts taile,
I know not what these people ayle.
I and &c.
Oliver he a Coach would drive,
And was hony in the Parliaments Bee hive
Neither he nor I lov'd a reprive.
I and &c.
I wish I had had his Protectors rest,
I'de have laid it an earnest for a jest,
But Sir
Harry Vane's worth all the rest,
I and &c:
I have chopt off many a worthy head,
And thanks to the Shieriffs have been well fed,
But that I can dock must never be sed.
I and &c.
Lambert I knew was troubled with the yellows,
And more perplexed with his fellows.
Had I liv'd I'de cur'd him at the gallows.
I and &c.
Never was any so bad as my trade,
The nine Worthies would have made,
As a drudge before something a Jade.
I and &c.
But I had got nothing by the thing,
Ther's indempnity 'gainst the string,
But my heir may get by a forward spring,
I and &c:
I see
John Lilburne at a Barr,
And Sir
George Booth that man of war,
But could get neither in my Car.
I and my &c.
I think the Ordinary's long prayer,
Hath spoyld frequenting of my fayre.
Till all long-winded R— are there.
I and &c.
For halfe thirteen pence halfpenny wages
I would have cleared all the Town cages,
And you should have been rid of all the sages.
I and &c.
There was much climbing 'mong the Grandees,
Yet they all I see know the wood from the trees,
And all to cousin me of my fees.
I and &c.
The high Court of justice was out of use,
The thieves and the Bench had made a truce,
For want of authority, a lean excuse.
I and &c.
Twould vex any body to keep an Ax,
As long as there are any Alderman
Packs,
Or
Desborough eke with his wide sacks.
I and &c.
That
Duckenfield, Packer, and Major
Creed,
Of my helping hand should have such need,
When I am not able to do the deed,
I and &c.
Lambert would also borrow the block,
As well as my Lady did
Olivers cock,
But like him I must patiently bear this mock:
I and &c.
Fleetwood also lacks some of my skill,
And that I can't do't fokes take it ill,
I'de hang um all if I could have my will.
I and &c.
Tis vain to look for dead mens shoos,
Else I had had
Hewson in a noose,
But my successor wont him loose.
I and &c.
Tyburn was once in mourning clad,
For a great man, and I also very sad,
A full bunch will make you all glad.
I and my gallows groane.
London, Printed for Charls Gustavus. ⟨Jan. 17. 1659.⟩