Chapter XIV: Part II

Now, pray observe the second part,
And you shall hear his sottish heart;
He did the tavern so frequent,
Till he three hundred pounds had spent.

This being done, we understand
He pawned the deeds of all his land
Unto a tavern-keeper, who,
When poor, did him no favour show.

For, to fulfil his father’s will,
He did command this cottage still:
At length great sorrow was his share,
Quite moneyless, with garments bare.

Being not able for to work,
He in the tavern there did lurk;
From box to box, among rich men,
Who oftentimes reviled him then.

To see him sneak so up and down,
The vintner on him he did frown;
And one night kicked him out of door,
Charging him to come there no more.

He in a stall did lie all night,
In this most sad and wretched plight;
Then thought it was high time to see
His father’s promised legacy.

Next morning, then, oppressed with woe,
This young man got an iron crow;
And, as in tears he did lament,
Unto this little cottage went.

When he the door had open got,
This poor, distressèd, drunken sot,
Who did for store of money hope,
He saw a gibbet and a rope.

Under this rope was placed a stool,
Which made him look just like a fool;
Crying, ‘Alas! what shall I do?
Destruction now appears in view!

‘As my father foresaw this thing,
What sottishness to me would bring;
As moneyless, and free of grace,
His legacy I will embrace.’

So then, oppressed with discontent,
Upon the stool he sighing went;
And then, his precious life to check,
Did place the rope about his neck.

Crying, ‘Thou, God, who sitt’st on high,
And on my sorrow casts an eye;
Thou knowest that I’ve not done well,—
Preserve my precious soul from hell.

‘’Tis true the slighting of thy grace,
Has brought me to this wretched case;
And as through folly I’m undone,
I’ll now eclipse my morning sun.’

When he with sighs these words had spoke,
Jumped off, and down the gibbet broke;
In falling, as it plain appears,
Dropped down about this young man’s ears,

In shining gold, a thousand pound!
Which made the blood his ears surround:
Though in amaze, he cried, ‘I’m sure
This golden salve the sore will cure!

‘Blessed be my father, then,’ he cried,
‘Who did this part for me so hide;
And while I do alive remain,
I never will get drunk again.’