XXI. "LAMENTATION OF JOHN MUSGRAVE, Who was executed at Kendal, for robbing the King's Receiver, and taking away from him great store of treasure." To o lodge it was my chance of late, Where I saw many a gallant state Sometimes I heard the music sweet, A gentleman of courage bold, But when as I did him behold, My grief it grew still more and more. Of watery eyes there was great store, To God above (quoth he) I call, As soon as I shall lose my breath. O God I have deserved death, For deeds that I have done to thee, For I may curse the dismal hour, For to rob the King's Receiver, You gallants all be warned by me, Learn cards and dice for to refrain, Fly whores, eschew ill company, For these three things will breed you pain. All earthly treasures are but vain, And worldly wealth is vanity: Search nothing else but heaven to gain, Farewell good fellows, less and more, John Musgrave all men did me call. SECOND PART. The bait beguiles the bonny fish, The lamb becomes the fox's dish, The fowlers that the plovers get, Take glistering glass their net to set; The ferret, when the mouth is cop't, Doth drive the coney to the net. The pike devours the salmon free, Which is a better fish than himself: Some care not how whose children cry So that themselves may keep their pelf. Farewell good people less and more, And farewell all good serving men. Now by my death I wish all know, Of what degree of high or low, Good gentlemen, I you entreat, That have more sons than you In idleness do not them keep, have land, Teach them to labour with their hands. For idleness is the root of evil, For youth and age will not understand That friends in want they be but cold, If they spend their portions and lack land, They may go beg when they are old. Farewell, farewell, my brethren dear, We are all mortal, and born to die. I know that Christ did die for me, But mercy, Lord, of thee I crave. Come, man of death, and do me right, The man of death his part did play, The Lord grant us that so we may. |