The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #40694   Message #2883416
Posted By: Jim Dixon
09-Apr-10 - 10:56 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Add: Cottage for Sale
Subject: Lyr Add: THE COTTAGE (from Bodleian)
Here's the complete text from the broadside mentioned above. I have modernized the spelling and punctuation a bit.

THE COTTAGE

1. Come all you rakish bachelors and listen to my tale.
I've a cottage neat and snug I'm putting up for sale.
It's in a pleasant valley with a rising hill above,
And a crystal stream of water is running through a grove.

CHORUS: Then occupy my cottage. It is in good repair.
It has a pleasant entrance and will suit you to a hair.

2. The first a rich old alderman my cottage did engage.
He thought himself so stiff and strong though eighty years of age.
He fumbled long till he was tired. Says he, "My dear, I'm sure
I'm doubled up and cannot stand, and can't find out the door."

3. The next a bold young sailor, with gold his lockers stored,
And soon within my cottage the jolly jack tar was moored.
He roamed the cottage up and down and turned the things about
Until he got quite giddy, and then he tumbled out.

4. The next a fat old Quaker with his "thee" and "thou."
He says, "To take your cottage the spirit moves me now."
He could not get in at all, for such a paunch had he,
And from out his breeches pocket he could not pull the key.

5. The next a brave young soldier my cottage did desire,
And he demanded entrance, or else he said he'd fire.
He marched in like a hero. The door was opened wide.
His pouch and ammunition and balls he left outside.

6. The next there came a tailor, and offered me his goose
To let him take possession of my pleasant little house.
With such haste he entered in, so great was his desire,
He broke his yard, and singed his cloth, and set his goose on fire.

7. The last he was a cobbler, with lapstone in his hand.
To take my little cottage of me he did demand.
He was such a noisy customer in hammering of his leather,
That him, pegging awl, and lapstone, I tumbled out together.

8. So all young men and bachelors, come hasten, be in time!
Come and view my cottage. You'll find it snug and prime.
The roof is well thatched over, the entrance neat and plain,
And all whoever entered there have wished to go again.

J. Morgan, Printer, 46, Brick Lane, Spitalfields.