The tradesmans lamentation: or the mechanicks complaint.

The tradesmans lamentation: or the mechanicks complaint.

Table of contents

The Tradesman's Lamentation: OR THE Mechanicks Complaint.

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[Page]

The Tradesman's Lamentation: OR THE Mechanicks Complaint.

WHat Learned Doctor hath such Skill profound,

Can raise up Trade which now lies on the ground

Gasping for breath? Except some course be taken

I fear, of it we shall be quite forsaken;

Which holds not onely up our City's Wall

But Cititiz'ns too, who shortly else will fall:

For Trading Chiefly doth uphold the Land,

And Money gives it Legs whereon to stand;

Both which are fled, and left's in desperation,

Which is the Subject of this Lamentation.

Walk any where, in Shops, i'th'Streets, or Lanes;

Not One alone, but All in One complains,

Money's so scarce, and Trading is so dead,

That Tradesmen now can scarsly buy them bread,

And to maintain them decent, and their Charge

From beggery and want; it were a task too large

For to recount their misery, I protest

By this rude Pen it cannot be exprest.

But stay; Methinks it seemeth somewhat strange,

Though each thing's turn'd, that Trading too should change:

For though Distractions we have had great store,

Such Trade as then was, never will be more.

We hop'd those Flames had buryed been in ashes,

But they (like Lightning still break out in flashes;

'Tis greatly fear'd (Trade making such a stand)

Some greater Revolution's nigh at hand.

Then what's the reason Trading's such a slave,

Seeing we great Peace with every Nation have:

The Spaniard sends us Gold, the Russian Silks good store,

Methinks 'tis very strange that Trade should be so poor!

I fear, 'tis this whereat the Tradesman frets,

Great men are grown so high, they scorn to pay their debts:

Then Tradesmen surely, must of force be poor,

When as the Rich, run on the Poor-man's score.

Nay, that's not all, for it is daily known,

A man dares scarcely ask them for his own.

Tradesmen must needs be poor I really think,

When they are only paid with Dam and Sink;

Who make a man believe they'd run him through:

But God be thank'd there's Law for such as you;

Such Tricks as these seem very much unfit,

T'eat Poor mens Meat, and give them ne'r a bit.

This, this is it, that makes our Trading shake,

And cause us poor Mechanicks for to quake.

Well, I could wish some course with't might be taken,

T [...]at poor Men and Trade may not be quite forsaken.

Another reason's here worse then the other,

We are so hateful grown towards one another;

Which caused is by some Phanatick brain,

That does both Truth and Justice now disdain;

Whether they be Trapanners, Pimping Sectists, Nippers,

Tarpaulins, Currers, Quakers or Dippers,

No matter what; They so much strife have made,

They break the Peace and spoile our daily Trade.

Well, I do hope ere long, that by degrees,

Our Nation may be purg'd of such as these.

To find a fourth, I need not long to stand,

We have such Grand Intruders in our Land,

Who take our Money, and our Trading too

Out of our hands, and poor Tradesmen undoe;

Who do our daily Trading much entrench,

Ask who they be? I answer, th' Dutch, and French:

These take our maintainance from out our hands,

Th' Dutch Fish our Sea, th' French fish our Trade by land

Now Fellow-Subjects, these things are not fair,

That nothing will go off that's English Ware:

But if a French man puts it out to sale

Though ne'r so bad, of 's price he shall not faile;

Our English must them give (oh 'tis a grief to tell!)

One portion of their Wares, the other for to sell.

Our English Subjects, by such means as these

(Without a speedy help) their Freedome soon will leese.

But to Conclusion I must haste a pace,

And on this subject will no longer trace:

But wish some remedy may soon be made

To help the Poor, and to support our Trade:

Then I, with Loyal hearts will ever sing

Our Trade re-flourishes;) GOD SAVE THE KING.

By J. Brokeman, formerly a rich (but now decayed) Tradesman.

§

§

LONDON, Printed for the Author. 166 [...]

Information about this book

Title statement

The tradesmans lamentation: or the mechanicks complaint.

Brokeman, J.

Edition statement

1663

Publication

Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

Place of publication

Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2009-03 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

B01795

ID [STC]

Wing B4842

ID [STC]

Interim Tract Supplement Guide C.20.f.2[52]

ID [STC]

Interim Tract Supplement Guide C.20.f.4[223]

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

99885045

ID [PROQUEST]

ocm99885045

ID [VID]

182892

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Early English books online.

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(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. B01795)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 182892)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books; Tract supplement ; A1:1[53]; A4:2[224])

Source

— The tradesmans lamentation: or the mechanicks complaint., Brokeman, J..

Extent

1 sheet ([1] p.).

Printed for the author.,. London, :: 1663.. (Signed: By J. Brokeman, formerly a rich (but now decayed) tradesman.) (Verse: "What learned doctor hath such skill profound ...") (Reproduction of original in the British Library.)

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