A PEPYSIAN GARLAND - online book

Black-letter Broadside Ballads Of The years 1595-1639

	A GOODFELLOW'S COMPLAINT 12   The world is growne to such a passe, That if your meanes consumed be, You shall be counted but an asse And thus strong beere hath vndon me: 13   WHen2 I had coine no tapster durst, Refuse to trust me shillings three, But now thele see my money first, Because strong beere has vndone mee. 14   Unto a Tapster once I came, You'r welcome Sir, draw neere quoth he, But now the slaue wo'not know my name, Because strong beere has vndone mee. 15   My little hostes at the crowne, Would often sit vpon my knee, But now sheele cry away thou clowne, Because strong beere has vndone me. 16   Besides ther's Tapsters three or foure, Where I haue spent my money free, Are like to thrust me out of doore, And say there is no roome for me. 17   But if I could get vp my meanes, As that I doubt will neuer be, I sure would fit those Knaues and Queenes, But now strong beere has vndone me. 18   O is not this a hellish spight, That I should thus reiected be, Who lately liu'd in such delight, Before strong beere had vndone me. 19   When I doe call to minde the dayes, Which I againe shall neuer see, In which3 torments me many wayes, Alas strong4 beere has vndone me. 1 No period in the text.                2 Text Wheu. 3 Read It then ?                             4 Text stroug. 363