a ballad:

noting the difference of rich

and poor, in the ways of a rich

noble’s palace and a poor

workhouse

to the tune of the

“old and young courtier.”

xiv

in a costly palace youth goes clad in gold;

in a wretched workhouse age’s limbs are cold:

there they sit, the old men by a shivering fire,

still close and closer cowering, warmth is their desire.

in a costly palace, when the brave gallants dine,

they have store of good venison, with old canary wine,

with singing and music to heighten the cheer;

coarse bits, with grudging, are the pauper’s best fare.

51

in a costly palace youth is still caress’d

by a train of attendants which laugh at my young lord’s jest;

in a wretched workhouse the contrary prevails,

does age begin to prattle?—no man hearkeneth to his tales.

in a costly palace if the child with a pin

do but chance to prick a finger, straight the doctor is call’d in;

in a wretched workhouse men are left to perish,

for want of proper cordials, which their old age might cherish.

in a costly palace youth enjoys his lust;

in a wretched workhouse age, in corners thrust,

thinks upon the former days, when he was well to do,

had children to stand by him, both friends and kinsmen too.

in a costly palace youth his temples hides

with a new devised peruke that reaches to his sides;

in a wretched workhouse age’s crown is bare,

with a few thin locks just to fence out the cold air.

52

in peace, as in war, ’tis our young gallants’ pride

to walk, each one i’ the streets, with a rapier by his side,

that none to do them injury may have pretence;

wretched age, in poverty, must brook offence.