A PEPYSIAN GARLAND - online book

Black-letter Broadside Ballads Of The years 1595-1639

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	71 The honest age Pepys, i, 156, B.L., four woodcuts, four columns. Henry Gosson and his partners registered "The Honest Age" on May 24, 1632 (Arber's Transcript, iv, 278). It is of very little interest apart from the fact that its author, Laurence Price, mentions—apparently with approval—Robin Conscience, a long ballad-poem among the most pre­tentious and popular of Parker's works. The ballad, then, is one of many proofs (cf. the introduction to No. 78) that Price and Parker, though great rivals, were on friendly terms. Robin Conscience was first registered for publication on April 20, 1630 {ibid. p. 233); a late edition of it (1683) is reprinted in the Harleian Miscellany, 1808, 1, 48-54. For the tune cf. No. 41. To the tune of the Golden age. I YOu Poets that write of the ages that's past, I pray stay your hand and write not too fast, He write of an age that for euer shall last, Plaine dealing in Country and City is plac't. O this is an honest age. This is a plaine dealing age. 1 Some people at these strange tidings will muse, And some will be ioyfull to heare such rare newes, Then list to my Ditty for it briefly shewes, No man He offend, then let no man refuse, To heare of this honest age, This is a plaine dealing age. 406