Few words are best.
Come buy this new Ballad before you doe goe,
If you raile at the Author, I know what I know.
To the tune of, I tell you but so.
IT is an old saying,
that few words are best,
And he that saye a little,
shall live most at rest,
And I by experence,
doe find it right so,
Therefore Ile spare speech,
but I know what I know.
Yet shall you perceive well,
though littele I say,
That many enormities,
I will display,
You may guesse my meaning,
by that which I show.
I will not tell all.
but I know, &c.
There be some great climbers.
compos'd of ambition.
To whom better borne men:
doe bend with submission,
Proud
Lucifer climbing.
was cast very low:
Ile not stay these men.
but I know, &c
There be many Foxes,
that goe on two legs,
They steale greater matters.
then Cocks, Hens, and Egs,
To catch many Guls,
in shéep's clothing they goe:
They might be destroy'd.
but I know, &c.
There be many men,
that Devotion pretend.
And makes us beleeve,
that true fatih they'l defend,
Three times in one day,
to Church they will goe.
They cozon the world,
but I know. &c,
There be many rich men,
both Yeoman and Gentry.
That for their owne private gain
hurt a whole Cuntry
By clothing free common.
yet they'l make as though.
Twere for commons good,
but I know, &c.
There be divers Papists,
that to save their Fine,
Come to Church once a month
to heare Service Divine,
The Pope gives them power,
as they say to doe so,
They save money by'to,
but I know, &c.
There be many upstarts,
that spring from the, Cart,
What gotten to the Court,
play the Gentlemans part:
Their fathers were plain-men,
they scorne to be so,
They thinke themselves brave,
but I know, &c.
There be many Officers,
men of greate place,
To whome if one sue,
for their favour and grace,
He must bribe their servants,
while they make as though,
They know no such thing,
but I know. &c.
THere be many woman,
that seeme very pure,
A kisse from a stranger,
they'l hardly endure:
They are like
Lucrecia,
modest in show;
I will accuse none,
but I know what I know.
Likewise there be many,
dissembling men,
That séeme to hate Drinking,
and Whoring yet when
They méet with a Wench,
to the Taverne they'l goe;
They are civill all day,
but I know, &c.
There be many Batchelours,
that so beguile,
Beléeving kind Lasses,
use many a wile,
They all swear that they love,
when they meane nothing so,
And boast of these tricks,
but I know, &c.
There's many an Vsurer,
that l
[...]ke a Drone,
Doth idely live,
upon his moneys lone,
From tens unto hundreds,
his mony doth grow:
He sayes he does good,
but I know, &c.
There be many Gallants,
that goe in gay rayment,
For which the Taylor,
did ne'r receive payment,
They rufle it out,
with a gorgeous show,
Some take them for Knights,
but I know, &c.
There be many Rorers,
that swagger and rore,
As though they i' th'warre had, bin,
seven yeares and more.
And yet they ner lookt
in the face of a Foe:
They séeme gallant Sparkes,
but I know, &c.
There's many both women,
and men that appeare.
With beautifull out sides,
the worlds eyes to bleare:
But all is not gold,
that doth glister in show,
They are fine with a pox,
but I know, &c.
There is many rich Tradesmen
who live by deceit,
And in weight and measure,
the poore they doe cheat,
They'l not sweare an oath,
but indéed I and no,
They truely protest,
but I know, &c.
There be many people.
so given to strife,
That they'l goe to law,
for a two penny knife.
The Lawyer ne'r askes them,
why they doe so,
He gets by their Hate,
but I know, &c.
I know there be many,
will carpe at this Ballad,
Because it is like,
sowre sawce to their Pallat:
But he, she or they,
let me tell ere I goe,
If they speak against this song,
I know what I know.
Finis.
London Printed for W. Gilbertson, in Gilt-spur-street.