Classic Poem

" AY : me, ay me, pore sisley, & vndone!
I had 12 sutors, now I have but one!
they all were wealthy; had I beene but wise;
now haue all left me since I haue beene soe nice,
but only one, and him all Maidens scorne,
for hees the worst I thinke tha t ere was borne. "
" peace good sisley! peace & say noe more!
bad mends in time; good salue heales many a sore. "

" ffaith such a one as I cold none but loue,
for few or none of them doe constant proue;
a man in shape, p ro portion, looke, and showe,
much like a Mushroome in one night doth grow;
proud as a Iay tha ts of a comely hew,
cladd like a Musele in a capp of blew. "
" peace, good sisley! peace, & say noe more!
be Merry, wench, & lett the welkin rore! "

" The first I had was framed in bewtyes mold,
the second: 3 and 4 had store of gold,
the 5, 6, 7, 8 had trades eche one,
the best had goods & lands to liue vpon;
Now may I weepe, sigh, sobb, & ring my hands,
since this hath neither witt, trade, goods, nor Land[s.] "
" peace, good sisley; peace & take tha t one
tha t stayes behind when all the rest are gone! "

" He [is,] as turkes doe say, noe renegatoe,
noe Portugall, Gallowne, or reformato;
but in playne termes some say he is a scott,
tha t by his witts some old cast suite hath gott,
& now is as briske as my Bristow Taylor,
& swaggers like a pander or a saylor. "
" kisse him, sisley, kisse him, he may proue the best,
& vse him kindly, but witt bee all the rest. "

" One was a welchman, her wold scorne to crye;
& 3 were Dutchmen tha t sill drunke wold bee;
& 6 were frenchemen tha t were pockye proude;
& one a spanyard tha t cold bragg alowd.
Now all are gone, & way not me a figge,
but one poore Scott who can doe nought but begg "
" take him, sisley! take him, for itt is noe doubt,
his trades tha t beggs, heele neu er proofe banquerout. "

" Nay, sure, Ile haue him, for all people say
that men by begging grow rich now a day,
& tha t oftentimes is gotten w i th a word
att great mens hands tha t neu er was woone by sword
then welcome Scotchman, wee will weded bee,
& one day thou shalt begg for thee and mee. "
" well sayd, sisley! well said! on another day,
by begging thou maist weare a garland gay! "