The Great Boobee.

My friend, if you will understand my fortune what they are,
I once had Cattel, House, and Land, but now I am never the near;
My Father left a good estate, as I may tell to thee,
I couz'ned was of all I had, like a great Boobee.

I went to School with good intent, and for to learn my book,
And all the day I went to play, in it I never did look;
Full seven years, or very nigh, as I may tell to thee,
I could hardly say my Christ-Cross-Row,' like a great Boobee.

My father then all the haste, did set me to the Plow,
And for to lash the horse about, indeed, I knew not how;
My father took his Whip in hand, and soundly lashed me,
He call'd me Fool and Country Clown, and a great Boobee.

But I did from my Vather run, for I will plow no more,
Because he had so slashed me, and made my sides so sore;
But I will go to London town, zome Vashions for to see;
When I came there, they call'd me Clown, and a great Boobee.

But as I went along the street, I carried my Hat in my hand,
And to every one that I did meet, I bravely bus't my hand;
Some did laugh, and some did scoff, and some did mock at me,
And some did say I was a Woodcock, and a great Boobee.

Then I did walk in hast to Paul's, the Steeple for to view,
Because I heard some people say, it should be builded new;
Then I got up unto the top, the City for to see:
I was so high it made me cry, like a great Boobee.

From thence I went to Westminster, and for to see the Tombs,
"Oh," said I, "what a house is here, with an infinite sight of rooms,"
Sweetly the Abbey-Bells did ring, it was a fine sight to see,
Methought I was going to Heaven in a string, like a great Boobee.

But as I went along the street, the most part of the day,
Many Gallants did I meet, methought they were very gay;
I blew my nose, and befoul'd my hose, some people did me see,
They said I was 'a Beastly Fool, and a great Boobee.

Next day I through Pye-corner past, the roast-meat on the stall
Invited me to take a taste, my money was but small:
The meat I pickt, the Cook me kickt, as I may tell to thee,
He beat me zore, and made me rore, like a great Boobee.

As I through Smithfield lately walkt, a gallant Lass I met,
Familiarly with me she talkt, which I cannot forget;
She proffered me a pint of Wine, methought she was wonderous free,
To the Tavern I went with her, like a great Boobee.

She told me we were near of kin, and call'd for Wine good store,
Before the reckoning was brought in, my Cousin prov'd a Whore:
My purse she pickt, and went away, my Cousin cozened me,
The Vintner kickt me out of door, like a great Boobee.

At the Exchange, when I came there, I saw most gallant things,
I thought the pictures living were of all our English Kings;
I doft my Hat, and made a leg, and kneeled on my knee,
The people laught, and call'd me Fool, and a great Boobee.

To Paris-Garden then I went, where there was great resort,
My pleasure was my punishment, I did not like the sport:
The Garden Bull, with his stout horns, on high then tossed me;
I did bewray myself with fear, like a great Boobee.

The Bear-heard went to save me then, the people flockt about,
I told all the Bear-garden-men my guts were almost out;
They said I stunk most grievously, no man would pitty me,
They call'd me witless Fool and Ass, and a great Boobee.

Then o're the Water did I pass, as you shall understand,
I dropt into the Thames, alas! before I came to land:
The Water-man did help me out, and thus did say to me,
"'Tis not thy fortune to be drown'd, thou great Boobee.

But I have learned so much wit, shall shorten all my cares,
If I can but a License get, to play before the Bears;
'Twill be a gallant place indeed, as I may to thee,
Then who dares call me Fool or Ass, or a great Boobee.