152 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 



Ben Jonson, in his " Beggar's Bush," 1 created 

 king of their corporation, was that night to lodge 

 at an ale-house, called Catch-her-by-the-way, not 

 far from Waltham Cross, and in the high-road 

 towards London ; and he therefore desired them to 

 spend no more time about that and such-like ques- 

 tions, but to refer all to Father Clause at night, for 

 he was an upright judge, and in the mean time 

 draw cuts what song should be next sung, and 

 who should sing it. They all agreed to the mo- 

 tion, and the lot fell to her that was the youngest 

 and veriest virgin of the company. And she sung 

 Frank Davison's song, which he made forty years 

 ago ; and all the others of the company joined to 

 sing the burden with her. The ditty was this ; but 

 first the burden, 



" Bright shines the sun. Play, beggars, play ! 

 Here 's scraps enough to serve to-day. 



" What noise of viols is so sweet, 



As when our merry clappers ring ? 

 What mirth doth want, when beggars meet ? 



A beggar's life is for a king. 

 Eat, drink, and play ; sleep when we list, 

 Go where we will, so stocks be missed. 



Bright shines the sun. Play, beggars, play ! 

 Here 's scraps enough to serve to-day. 



" The world is ours, and ours alone, 

 For we alone have world at will : 

 We purchase not ; all is our own, 



Both fields and streets we beggars fill. 



1 By Beaumont and Fletcher, not Jonson. 



