Beggars Bush: A Comedy - Beaumont Francis

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last in conference at the bouzing ken

      This other day we sat about our dead Prince

      Of famous memory: (rest go with his rags:)

      And that I saw thee at the tables end,

      Rise mov'd, and gravely leaning on one Crutch,

      Lift the other like a Scepter at my head,

      I then presag'd thou shortly wouldst be King,

      And now thou art so: but what need presage

      To us, that might have read it in thy beard

      As well, as he that chose thee? by that beard

      Thou wert found out, and mark'd for Soveraignty.

      O happy beard! but happier Prince, whose beard

      Was so remark'd, as marked out our Prince,

      Not bating us a hair. Long may it grow,

      And thick, and fair, that who lives under it,

      May live as safe, as under Beggars Bush,

      Of which this is the thing, that but the type.

      Om. Excellent, excellent orator, forward good Higgen,

      Give him leave to spit: the fine, well-spoken Higgen.

      Hig. This is the beard, the bush, or bushy-beard,

      Under whose gold and silver raign 'twas said

      So many ages since, we all should smile

      On impositions, taxes, grievances,

      Knots in a State, and whips unto a Subject,

      Lye lurking in this beard, but all kemb'd out:

      If now, the Beard be such, what is the Prince

      That owes the Beard? a Father; no, a Grand-father;

      Nay the great Grand-father of you his people.

      He will not force away your hens, your bacon,

      When you have ventur'd hard for't, nor take from you

      The fattest of your puddings: under him

      Each man shall eat his own stolen eggs, and butter,

      In his own shade, or sun-shine, and enjoy

      His own dear Dell, Doxy, or Mort, at night

      In his own straw, with his own shirt, or sheet,

      That he hath filch'd that day, I, and possess

      What he can purchase, back, or belly-cheats

      To his own prop: he will have no purveyers

      For Pigs, and poultry.

      Clau. That we must have, my learned oratour,

      It is our will, and every man to keep In his own path and circuit.

      Hig. Do you hear? You must hereafter maund on your own pads he saies.

      Clau. And what they get there, is their own, besides

      To give good words.

      Hig. Do you mark? to cut been whids,

      That is the second Law.

      Clau. And keep a-foot

      The humble, and the common phrase of begging,

      Lest men discover us.

      Hig. Yes; and cry sometimes,

      To move compassion: Sir, there is a table,

      That doth command all these things, and enjoyns 'em,

      Be perfect in their crutches, their feign'd plaisters,

      And their torn pass-ports, with the ways to stammer,

      And to be dumb, and deaf, and blind, and lame,

      There, all the halting paces are set down,

      I'th' learned language.

      Clau. Thither I refer them,

      Those, you at leisure shall interpret to them.

      We love no heaps of laws, where few will serve.

      Om. O gracious Prince, 'save, 'save the good King Clause.

      Hig. A Song to crown him.

      Fer. Set a Centinel out first.

      Snap. The word?

      Hig. A Cove comes, and fumbumbis to it.– Strike.

The SONG

      Cast our Caps and cares away: this is Beggars Holy-day,

      At the Crowning of our King, thus we ever dance and sing.

      In the world look out and see: where's so happy a Prince as he?

      Where the Nation live so free, and so merry as do we?

      Be it peace, or be it war, here at liberty we are,

      And enjoy our ease and rest; To the field we are not prest;

      Nor are call'd into the Town, to be troubled with the Gown.

      Hang all Officers we cry, and the Magistrate too, by;

      When the Subsidie's encreast, we are not a penny Sest.

      Nor will any go to Law, with the Beggar for a straw.

      All which happiness he brags, he doth owe unto his rags._

      Enter Snap, Hubert, and Hemskirke.

      Snap. A Cove comes: Fumbumbis.

      Prig. To your postures; arm.

      Hub. Yonder's the Town: I see it.

      Hemsk. There's our danger

      Indeed afore us, if our shadows save not.

      Hig. Bless your good Worships.

      Fer. One small piece of mony.

      Prig. Amongst us all poor wretches.

      Clau. Blind, and lame.

      Ginks. For his sake that gives all.

      Hig. Pitifull Worships.

      Snap. One little doyt.

      Enter Jaculin.

      Jac. King, by your leave, where are you?

      Fer. To buy a little bread.

      Hig. To feed so many Mouths, as will ever pray for you.

      Prig. Here be seven of us.

      Hig. Seven, good Master,

      O remember seven, Seven blessings.

      Fer. Remember, gentle Worship.

      Hig. 'Gainst seven deadly sins.

      Prig. And seven sleepers.

      Hig. If they be hard of heart, and will give nothing—

      Alas, we had not a charity this three dayes.

      Hub. There's amongst you all.

      Fer. Heaven reward you.

      Prig. Lord reward you.

      Hig. The Prince of pity bless thee.

      Hub. Do I see? or is't my fancy that would have it so?

      Ha? 'tis her face: come hither maid.

      Jac.

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