A PEPYSIAN GARLAND - online book

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	28 A new-year's gift for the Pope Pepys, i, 62. Only half of the sheet, containing Part I of the ballad, is preserved. This half itself is badly mutilated. There is, accordingly, no way of determining the author's or the printer's name. The first part is in B.L. It has two columns and one very large woodcut, the "emblem" referred to in stanza I. The date of the ballad is perhaps after May 6, 1624, when James I issued his last proclamation against Jesuits and seminary priests. For this proclamation and for two other ballads (one the work of Martin Parker) in which it is celebrated, see my Old English Ballads (Cambridge University Press, 1920), pp. 184-195. The music for Thomas, you cannot is given in Chappell's Popular Music, 1, 337, and the words are printed in Bishop Percy's Folio Manuscript. Loose and Humorous Songs, p. 116. To the Tune of, Thomas, you cannot, &c. I ALl you that desirous are to behold the difference twixt falshood and faith, Marke well this Emblem, one piece of pure gold, a Cart-load of false Coyne outwayeth, Then wisely consider and beare in your mind, Though Sathans Instruments true faith to blind, A thousand deuises dayly doe find : Tet all is in vaine, they cannot, they cannot, Tet all is in vaine they cannot.
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