The Compleat ^Angler 



When these were gone, we heard a high contention amongst the 

 irs, whether it was easiest to rip a cloak or to unrip a cloak. 

 One beggar affirmed it was all one. But that was denied by asking 

 her if doing and undoing were all one. Then another said 'twas 

 easiest to unrip a cloak, for that was to let it alone. But she was 

 answered by asking her how she unripped it, if she let it alone : and 

 she confessed herself mistaken. These and twenty such-like ques- 

 tions were proposed, and answered with as much beggarly logic and 

 earnestness as was ever heard to proceed from the mouth of the 

 most pertinacious schismatic : and sometimes all the beggars (whose 

 number was neither more nor less than the poet's nine muses) talked 

 altogether about this ripping and unripping, and so loud that not 

 one heard what the other said : but at last one beggar craved 

 audience, and told them that old father Clause, whom Ben Jonson 

 in his Beggar s Bush created king of their corporation, was to lodge 

 at an alehouse 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 refer all to father Clause at night, for he was an upright 

 judge, and in the meantime draw cuts what song should be next 

 sung, and who should sing it. They all agreed to the motion ; 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 

 burthen with her. The ditty was this : but first the burthen : 



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 enovgh to serve to-day. 

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