256 



Lines from the Crewe MS8. 



" Sheapherds, leave singing your pastorall sonnetts, 

 And to learne complements shew your endeavours, 

 Cast of for ever your two-shillings bonnetts, 

 Cover your coxcombs with three-pounds beavers : 

 Sell carte and tarboxe new coaches to buy : 

 Then ' Good your Worship ' the vulgar will cry. 



"And thus unto ' Worshipp ' being advanced, 

 Keape all your tenants in awe with your frownes, 

 And let your rents be yearly inhaunced, 

 To buy your new-moulded Maddams new gownes. 

 Joan, Sisse, and Nell, shalbe all ladified, 

 Instead of haycarts, in coaches shall ryde. 



Whatever you doe, have a care of expenxes: 



In hospitality do not exceed, 



Greatnes of followers belongeth to Princes, 



A coachman and footman are all that you need : 



And still observe this, let your servants meate lacke, 



To keep brave apparell upon your wives backe. 



"Now to conclude, and shute upp my sonnett : 

 Leave of your cartwhip, hedg-bill and flayle, 

 This is my counsel! : think well upon it ; 

 Knighthood and Honour are now put to saile, 

 Then quickly make haste, and lett out your ffarmes, 

 And I will hereafter emblazon your armes. 



"MS. Crewe." 



