A newe Ballad, composed in commendation of the Societie, or Companie of the Porters.
To the tune of, In Edenbrugh, behold.
THrise blessed is that Land
where King and Rulers bee.
and men of great Command
that carefull are to sée,
[...]
[...]
is [...]nto all extended
rich, poore, both great and small,
are by his care defended.
As plainly doth appeare,
by that was lately done,
for them that burthens b [...]are,
and doe on businesse runne:
the Porters of this Cittie,
so [...]e being men of Trade,
but now the more, the more the pitty
by crosses are decayde.
Yet bearing honest mindes,
their charge for to maintaine,
as Gods command them [...]indes,
with trauell and with paine:
they all haue wisely ioynd,
for that they haue effected,
their company to Linde
and make it more respected.
Now they that were before
of meanest estimation,
by suite haue sa [...]ude that sore,
and gainde a Corporation:
excludes, and shuts out many
that were of base esteeme,
and will not suffer any
such person bide with them.
But such as well are knowen,
and honest Acts imbrace:
among them theile haue none
that haue no biding place:
among them theile haue none
(as neare as they can finde)
but such as well are knowen
to beare an honest minde.
For now vnto their hall
they pay their quarteridge [...]owne,
attending maisters call,
and fearing maisters frowne,
there seeking for redresse
and right if they haue wrong,
there, they that doe trangresse
haue that to them doth long.
[...]
[...]
then that they had before,
when as the malefactor
was on a coultstaffe bore:
for th' owner tis much better,
but for th' offender worse,
to taste this newe made order,
then ride a wooden horse.
That shame was soone slipt ouer,
soone in obliuion drownde,
and then againe, another
would in like fault be found:
not caring for their credit,
and trust another time,
this orders therefore as a bit
to hold them from that crime.
They that are rash, and rude,
and obstinately runne
as their owne willes conclude,
and cannot well be wonne
to condescend, and stand
to orders they haue made,
by the Rulers out of hand,
haue f [...]es vppon them laide.
All iarres and braules are bard
that mongst them might arise,
first commer, first is serude,
where as a burthen lyes,
if one be ready there
he must his profite take:
all other must forbeare
and no resistance make.
Such as haue long bin knowen
to vse this bearing trade,
and into yeares are growen,
(so that their strengths decayde)
they can no longer labour
as they haue done before,
the Companie doth succo [...]r
and maintaine euermore.
These and a many moe
good orders they haue, sure,
to make rude fellowes know
their stoutnesse, doth procure.
but their owne detriment
[...]
[...]
but things will be amiss
as oft it hath bin knowen,
the number of them is,
a thousand fortie one.
They all mette together.
m [...]st hansomely arayde,
at Christ church, to heare there
a sermon, for them made.
There markes of Admittaince
made out of tinne, they ba [...]e
about their neckes in ribbons:
the chiefe, of siluer weare.
To haue seene them so, you' [...] wonder,
so many should maintaine
themselues, by such a labour,
but that, thats got with paine,
God doth increase and blesse:
for good himselfe hath sed,
with paine and wearinesse,
we all should get our bread.
Thus therefore I conclude,
more happie men are they,
then many that delude
the world, and beare away
the swéete of poore mens labour
their chests to cram and stuffe,
not caring for Gods fauour,
so they haue golde enough.
Our royall King and Quéene
thou King of Kings defend,
as thou to them hast béene
most mercifull and kinde:
thy loue to them increase,
blesse all they vndertake:
His Counsels counsell, blesse,
euen for thy deare sons sake.
Tho. Brewer.
FINIS.