Ii

This bowse is better than rom-bowse, It sets the gan a-gigling, The autum-mort finds better sport In bowsing than in nigling. This is bien bowse, etc.

[She tosses off her bowle, falls back and is carried out.]

[1: strong ale] [2: cup or platter] [3: water; pot] [4: wine] [5: mouth] [6: wife] [7: fornicating]

"A BEGGAR I'LL BE" [Notes] [1660--1663]

[A black-letter broadside ballad]

I A Beggar, a Beggar, a Beggar I'll be, There's none leads a life more jocund than he; A Beggar I was, and a Beggar I am, A Beggar I'll be, from a Beggar I came; If, as it begins, our trading do fall, We, in the Conclusion, shall Beggars be all. Tradesmen are unfortunate in their Affairs, And few Men are thriving but Courtiers and Play'rs.