A use of Exhortation TO THE LONDON APPRENTICES OR, A second Message after their PETITION.
YOung-men where are you now; what fast asleep?
What in a Dream? or do you keep
Close to the fire-side, because 'tis cold?
Or (as your Masters say) must you be told
Over and over; What are you blinde?
Besotted quite, or do you fear the winde?
Or has the
Gun-men plung'd you into fears?
Or are you frighted with their
Bendileers?
Why gaze you thus? like men distracted,
Looking at one another, and nothing acted:
Crying
a Lyon lurketh in the way,
When as 'tis but a
Lobster, whom (men say)
Turn him but o're and o're he'l turn to you;
Then turn for shame,
O sluggards, least you rue
When 'tis too late, be wise betimes,
Me thinks the
Countries valour should ring
chimes:
Unless you stop your eares, you can't but hear,
How
EXITER and
CORNWAL banish fear;
They help for you, to better your condition,
They hazard All, to fulfil your
Petition;
Yet you won't help your selves, I blush to see
Such pettie places venture more then We.
Then
Prentices, awake, awake, for shame,
Be faint no more, all
cowardize disclaim;
Disband feamality, let courage be your Portion,
In such a case, Vallour's the best Devotion.
Petitions will not do, fare means are slighted,
You are compell'd, at least, much more invited,
To do the
Work your selves, then since 'tis so,
Shew your selves men, about the
business go:
Time is a precious thing, forbear delay,
Whilest the
Sun shines, he sure to
make your Hay.
Fear not
Cornation-coats, they are but men,
They'd rather
eat then
fight; not one in ten,
But (
like self-seeking Rascals) are so evil,
For
Six pence more they'd List unto the
Devil,
Then
Blades revive, thus far I dare aspire,
You may your selves accomplish your desire:
The Day's your own, and such is your condition,
Your selves may quickly grant your own
Petition
Till these things come to pass, till this We see,
Serve
Jacobs Prentiship, you shan't be Free.
Till Men have noble hearts, till Youths grow bold,
Till Men do one anothers good uphold,
Till Valour springs, till courage doth increase,
Till Wrong have Right, expect no settled Peace:
Here's Arguments enough, if you be wise,
Reduce your
Honour, though you lose your Eyes,
Uphold your Trade, maintain the
Good Old Cause,
Un-coat the
Lobsters, take away their clawes.
Take this for all, I have no more to say,
I am the guide to put you in the way;
Here's the right Path, hang him that goes astray.
FINIS.
J.E. App▪
OXFORD, Printed for Carolus Adolphus.