Though many a chuff hath more than enough,
Why should I repine at their bliss,

If I am content with what God hath sent,
I think I do not amiss:

Let others have wealth, so I have my health,
And money to pay what I owe,

I'll laugh and be merry, sing down a down derry,
And care not how ere the world go.

I'll make much of one, for when I am gone,
Then what's all the world unto me,
I'll not be a slave to that which I have,
But 'mongst my friends let it flee;
And least there rise debate, about my estate,

When my head's laid full low,

Or some knaves circumvent it, to whom I ne'er meant it, I'll spend it how ere the world go.

SECOND PART.

Some men do suppose, to go in brave cloaths,
Doth purchase a great deal of respect,
Though I am but poor, I run not on score,

I think myself honestly deckt ;

Let others go brave, 'tis my own that I have,

And I think they cannot say so,

And I like that I wear, though it cost not so dear,

And I care not how ere the world go.

I'd rather go mean, than be like to them,
Which living in pomp and state,

Maintain all their bravery, with private knavery,
Getting gold at any rate;

Such conscience profess, but use nothing less,

Deceiving the world with a shew,

But the time it may come, will pay such knaves home, But I care not how ere the world go.

'Your delicate cates your hypocrites eat,
And wine of the best do drink,

Much money they spend, but to little end,
And ne'er on their end they think :
Low shrubs be secure, when cedars endure
All storms and tempests that blow,
Let others rise high, but so will not I,
For I care not how ere the world go.

For ambition's best scene, is but a fine dream,
Which for a time tickles the mind,

And the hap of an hour, with such envy may low'r,
As may turn all one's hopes into wind,

Then worse than before, they may sigh and deplore,
To see themselves cast off so low,

When I all the while do sit and smile,

And care not how ere the world go.

The flattering curs, that frown upon furs,

And hang on the nobleman's beck,

That crouch at their heel whilst their bounty they feel,

Professing all love and respect,

Yet when they do fall, they run away all,

But I hate to dissemble so,

What I do for my part shall come from my heart,
And I care not how ere the world go.

I'll wrong none, not I, but if some through envy,
Do wrong me without a cause,

Or if me they disdain, I'll slight them again,
And reckon not of it two straws :
Dissembling I scorn, for I am free born,

My happiness lies not below;

Though my words they want art, I speak from my heart, And I care not how ere the world goes.

LXXXIII.

ALPHONSO AND GANSELO;

OR,

Faithful Friendship.

IN stately Rome sometime did dwell

A man of noble fame,

Who had a son of seemly shape,

Alphonso was his name ;

When he was grown and come to age,
His father thought it best,

To send his son to Athens fair
Where Wisdom's school did rest.

And when he was to Athens come,
Good lectures for to learn,
A place to board him with delight,
His friends did well discern,
A noble knight of Athens' town
Of him did take the charge,
Who had a son Ganselo called,
Just of his pitch and age.

In stature and in person both,
In favour, speech, and face,
In quality and conditions
They 'greed in every place,

So like they were in all respects,
The one unto the other,

They were not known but by their names,
Of father or of mother.

And as in favour they were found,
Alike in all respects,

Ev'n so they did most dearly love,
As prov'd by good effects,
Ganselo lov'd a lady fair,
Which did in Athens dwell,

Who was in beauty peerless found,
So far she did excel.

Upon a time it chanced so,

As fancy did him move,

That he would visit for delight

His lady and his love,

And to his true and faithful friend

He did declare the same,

Asking of him if he would see

That fair and comely dame.