54 



DRAINAGE <>F THK GREAT LEVEL 



PART I. 



Tims a great agitation against the drainage sprang 

 up in the Fen districts, and a wide-spread discontent 

 prevailed, which, as we shall afterwards find, exercised 

 an important influence on the events which culminated 

 in the Great Rebellion of a few years later. Among 

 the other agencies brought to bear against the Fen 

 drainers was the publication of satirical songs and 

 ballads the only popular press of the time; and the 

 powtes or poets doubtless accurately enough represented 

 the then state of public opinion, as their ballads were 

 sung with great applause about the streets of the Fen 

 towns. One of these, entitled ' The Powte's Com- 

 plaint,' was among the most popular. 1 In another a 



1 This poem is quoted in Bade- 

 s lade's * History of the Ancient and 

 I 'resent State of King's Lynn and of 



Cambridge,' London, 172o, an 

 as follows : 



THE POWTE'S COMPLAINT. 



Come, Brethren of the water, and let us all assemble, 



To treat upon this Matter, which makes us quake and tremble ; 



For we shall rue, if it be true that Fens be undertaken, 



And where we feed in Fen and Reed, they'll feed both Beef and Bn on. 



They'll sow both Beans and Oats, where never Man yet thought it ; 



Where Men did row in Boats, ere Undertakers bought it; 



But, Ceres, thou behold us now, let wild Oats be their Venture, 



Oh, let the Frogs and miry Bogs destroy where they do enter. 



Behold the great Design, which they do now determine, 



Will make our Bodies pine, a prey to Crows and Vermine ; 



For they do mean all Fens to drain, and Waters overmaster, 



All will be dry, and we must die 'cause Essex calves want pasture. 



Away with Boats and Rudder, farewel both Boots and Skatrhes, 



No need of one nor t'other, Men now make better Matches; 



Stilt-Makers all, and Tanners, shall complain of this Disaster, 



For they will make each muddy lake for Essex Calves a Pasture. 



The feather'd Fowls have Wings, to fly to other Nations ; 



But we have no such things, to help our Transportations ; 



We must give place, grevious Case ! to horned Beasts and Cattle, 



Except that we can all agree to drive them out by Battel. 



Wherefore let us intreat our antient Water- Nurses 



To shew their Power so great as t' help to drain their Purses ; 



And send us good old Captain Flood to lead us out to Battel, 



Then Two-penny Jack, with Scales on 's Back, will drive out all the < 'at I It 



This Noble Captain yet was never know to fail us, 



But did the conquest get of all that did assail us ; 



His furious Rage none could assuage ; but, to the World's great Wonder, 



He tears down Banks, and breaks their Cranks and Whirligigs assunder. 



< '> 1 Kolus, we do thee pray that thou wilt not be wanting ; 



Thou never said'st us nay now listen to our canting; 



Do thou deride their Hope and Pride that puipose our Confusion, 



And send a Blast that they in haste may work no good Conclusion. 



