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LEONARD WHRAICROFT, OF ASHOVER. 65 



Poet Sinos — Then hand in hand away they went. 

 Which was to many great content. 

 But Bacon followed by the scent, 

 Of some base cunning cheater 

 Who gave him poyson ere he ran. 

 Whereby so many are undone. 

 Vet fi)r 10 pound with him he run, 

 Tho Walker then ran better. 



" Walker — 'I tell thee Bacon what I thinke, — 

 Tho it was I that gave thee drink, 

 It was not for to make thee shrink. 

 But rather to run swifter.' 



" Bacon — 'In that thou art a cheater bold 

 I lay tliee 20 pound in gold 

 Thou gave me poyson : for I'm told 

 That thou hast had a gifter ' (hrihe). 



" Walker — 'AH gifters I do deadly hate. 



Though some did put it in my pate : 

 Now to repent it is too late, 

 Fools are so soon persuaded.' 



" Bacon— 'Now thou speaks true, I well may swear. 

 I'll have at thee again next yeare, 

 All thy partakers I'll not feare ; 

 I ne'er but this time failed.' 



"Walker— 'Thy challenge Bacon, I like well: 

 It to my master I will tell ; 

 Then all the country like a bell 

 Will sound at our next meeting.' 



" Bacon — 'My words I will make good, if I 

 Before that present do not dye. 

 Or, when wee meet, tell me 'I lie ' ; 

 And that's no handsome greeting.' 



" Walker — 'Now to conclude, well met my friend. 

 Another race will make an end. 

 And I my dearest breath will spent], 

 For fame and reputation.' 



•' Bacon — ' If this prove true, I'll tell thee plain. 

 Then we'll have all our gold againe. 

 And there thy name for ever staine, 

 I scnrne thy ugly fashion.' 



"L. W. 1687." 



