A FAREWELL TO TOWN .
Since secret Spite hath sworn my wo
And I am driven by Destiny
Against my will, God knows, to go
From Place of gallant company
And, in the stead of sweet delight
To reap the fruits of foul despite:
As it hath been a custom long,
To bid farewell when men depart
So will I sing this solemn song,
Farewell, to some, with all my heart:
But those my friends; but to my foes,
I wish a nettle in their nose.
I wish my friends their hearts content:
My foes, again, the contrary:
I wish myself, the time were spent
That I must spend in misery:
I wish my deadly foe no worse
Than want of friends, and empty purse.
But, now my wishes thus are done.
I must begin to bid farewell:
With friends and foes I have begun
And therefore, now I cannot tell
Which first to choose, or ere I part
To write a farewell from my heart.
First, place of worldly Paradise,
Thou gallant court, to thee farewell!
For froward Fortune me denies
Now longer near to thee to dwell
I must go live, I wot not where,
Nor how to live when I come there.
And next, adieu you galiant dames,
The chief of noble youth's delight!
Untoward Fortune now so frames,
That I am banish'd from your sight
And, in your stead against my will
I must go live with country Jill.
Now next, my gallant youths farewell;
My lads that oft have cheer'd my heart!
My grief of mind no tongue can tell,
To think that I must from you part
I now must leave you all, alas,
And live with some odd lobcock ass!
And now farewell thou gallant lute,
With instruments of music's sounds!
Recorder, citern, harp, and flute,
And heavenly descants on sweet grounds;
I now must leave you all indeed,
And make some music on a reed!
And now you stately stamping steeds
And gallant geldings fair, adieu!
My heavy heart for sorrow bleeds,
To think that I must part with you:
And on a strawen pannel sit,
And ride some country carting tit!
And now farewell both spear and shield
Caliver, pistol, arquebus,
See, see, what sighs my heart doth yield
To think that I must leave you thus;
And lay aside my rapier blade,
And take in hand a ditching spade!
And you farewell, all gallant games
Primero and Imperial ,
Wherewith I used, with courtly dames
To pass away the time withall:
I now must learn some country plays
For ale and cakes on holidays!
And now farewell each dainty dish,
With sundry sorts of sugar'd wine!
Farewell, I say fine fish and fish,
To please this dainty mouth of mine!
I now, alas, must leave all these,
And make good cheer with bread and cheese!
And now, all orders due, farewell!
My table laid when it was noon;
My heavy heart it irks to tell
My dainty dinners all are done:
With leeks and onions, whig and whey
I must content me as I may.
And farewell all gay garments now
With jewels rich of rare device!
Like Robin Hood, I wot not how,
I must go range in woodman's wise;
Clad in a coat of green or grey
And glad to get it if I may.
What shall I say, but bid adieu
To every dra[ch]m of sweet delight
In place where pleasure never grew
In dungeon deep of foul despite.
I must, ah me! wretch, as I may
Go sing the song of welaway!
Since secret Spite hath sworn my wo
And I am driven by Destiny
Against my will, God knows, to go
From Place of gallant company
And, in the stead of sweet delight
To reap the fruits of foul despite:
As it hath been a custom long,
To bid farewell when men depart
So will I sing this solemn song,
Farewell, to some, with all my heart:
But those my friends; but to my foes,
I wish a nettle in their nose.
I wish my friends their hearts content:
My foes, again, the contrary:
I wish myself, the time were spent
That I must spend in misery:
I wish my deadly foe no worse
Than want of friends, and empty purse.
But, now my wishes thus are done.
I must begin to bid farewell:
With friends and foes I have begun
And therefore, now I cannot tell
Which first to choose, or ere I part
To write a farewell from my heart.
First, place of worldly Paradise,
Thou gallant court, to thee farewell!
For froward Fortune me denies
Now longer near to thee to dwell
I must go live, I wot not where,
Nor how to live when I come there.
And next, adieu you galiant dames,
The chief of noble youth's delight!
Untoward Fortune now so frames,
That I am banish'd from your sight
And, in your stead against my will
I must go live with country Jill.
Now next, my gallant youths farewell;
My lads that oft have cheer'd my heart!
My grief of mind no tongue can tell,
To think that I must from you part
I now must leave you all, alas,
And live with some odd lobcock ass!
And now farewell thou gallant lute,
With instruments of music's sounds!
Recorder, citern, harp, and flute,
And heavenly descants on sweet grounds;
I now must leave you all indeed,
And make some music on a reed!
And now you stately stamping steeds
And gallant geldings fair, adieu!
My heavy heart for sorrow bleeds,
To think that I must part with you:
And on a strawen pannel sit,
And ride some country carting tit!
And now farewell both spear and shield
Caliver, pistol, arquebus,
See, see, what sighs my heart doth yield
To think that I must leave you thus;
And lay aside my rapier blade,
And take in hand a ditching spade!
And you farewell, all gallant games
Primero and Imperial ,
Wherewith I used, with courtly dames
To pass away the time withall:
I now must learn some country plays
For ale and cakes on holidays!
And now farewell each dainty dish,
With sundry sorts of sugar'd wine!
Farewell, I say fine fish and fish,
To please this dainty mouth of mine!
I now, alas, must leave all these,
And make good cheer with bread and cheese!
And now, all orders due, farewell!
My table laid when it was noon;
My heavy heart it irks to tell
My dainty dinners all are done:
With leeks and onions, whig and whey
I must content me as I may.
And farewell all gay garments now
With jewels rich of rare device!
Like Robin Hood, I wot not how,
I must go range in woodman's wise;
Clad in a coat of green or grey
And glad to get it if I may.
What shall I say, but bid adieu
To every dra[ch]m of sweet delight
In place where pleasure never grew
In dungeon deep of foul despite.
I must, ah me! wretch, as I may
Go sing the song of welaway!