108 THE COMPLETE ANGLlill. PART I. 



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, l 

 created king of their corporation, was to lodge at an ale- 

 house, called Catchr-her-by-the-way y 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 questions, but 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 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 tun, play beggars, play: 

 Here'* scraps enough to serve to^tay. 



What ooue of viols is so sweet, 



As when our merry clippers ring ? 

 What mirth doth want when beggars meet I 



A beggar's life is for a king. 

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

 Go where we will, to stocks be mist. 



Bright shines the sun, play beggars, play ; 



Here's scraps enough to serve today. 



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. 



Play beggars, play, play beggars, play; 



Here's scraps enough to serve to-day. 



A hundred herds of black and while 



Upon our gowus securely feed; 

 And yet if any dare us bite, 



He dies therefore, as sure as creed. 

 Thus beggars lord it as they please, 

 And only beggars live at ease. 



Bright shines the sun, play beggars, play ; 



Here's scraps enough to serve to-day. 



(1) Th Comedy of The Royal Merchant, or Beggar's Bush, was written by 

 Beaumont and Fletcher, and uot by Ecu Jonsou. It has also been attributed 

 wholly to Fletcher. 



