Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE RIGGS OF THE TIMES, by ANONYMOUS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE RIGGS OF THE TIMES, by                    
First Line: "ye men of high and low degree, come listen to my song"
Last Line: Tis ten to one when you come out you stagger to and fro
Subject(s): Crimes & Criminals;singing & Singers


Ye men of high and low degree, come listen to my song,
I'll warrant to amuse you well and not detain you long,
It is concerning these bad times and many tricks you know
Are practis'd all the country round to cut a decent show.

Chorus

For the sharpers are on the alert, roguery is the plan,
An outside show is all the go, and cheating who you can.

Some men are selling at prime cost and thirty per cent. under,
And still live by this mighty loss which makes some men to wonder,
And if you go into their shop in clothing very fine,
To blind your eyes and rob your purse they'll hand a glass of wine.

The landlord to his tenant goes demanding then his rent,
And if the same he cannot pay the bailiffs then are sent,
Then like a pack of hungry dogs these bloodhounds sally forth
And with the hand of violence seize all the man is worth.

The brewer he is in the mess and I believe the worst,
He poisons all the ale he brews to fill his master's purse,
And if you with a friend should go to take a cup or two,
'Tis ten to one when you come out you stagger to and fro.





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