Chapter IV: Part II

15
Now pray observe the second part,
And you shall hear his sottish heart:
He did in taverns so frequent
Till he three hundred pounds had spent.

16
This being done, we understand
He pawnd the deeds of all his land
Unto a tavern-keeper, who
When poor did him no favour shew.

17
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.

18
Being not able for to work,
He in the tavern there did lurk,
From box to box, among rich men,
Who often times revil’d him then.

19
To see him sneak so up and down,
The vintner on him he did frown,
And one night kickd him out of door,
Charging him to come there no more.

20
He in a stall did lie all night,
In this most sad and w[r]etched plight;
Then thought it was high time for he
His father’s legacy to see.

21
Next morning, then, opprest with woe,
This young man got an iron crow,
And, as in tears he did lament,
Unto this little cottage went.

22
When he this door had open got,
This poor distressëd drunken sot,
Who did for store of money hope,
He saw a gibbet and a rope.

23
Under this rope was plac’d a stool,
Which made him look much like a fool,
Crying, Alas, what shall I do!
Destruction now appears in view.

24
‘As my father foresaw this thing,
What sottishness to me would bring,
As moneyless and free of grace,
This legacy I will embrace.’

25
So then, opprest with discontent,
Upon the stool he sighing went,
And then, his precious life to check,
Did place this rope about his neck.

26
Crying, Thou God, who sittst on high,
Who on my sorrows hast an eye,
But thou knowst I have not done well,
Preserve my precious soul from hell.

27
‘’Tis true the slighting of thy grace
Brought me to this most wretched case,
And as thro folly I’m undone,
I’ll now eclipse my morning sun.’

28
When he with sigh had these words spoke,
Jumpt off, and down the gibbet broke;
In falling, as it plain appears,
Droppd down about this young man’s ears,

29
In shining gold, a thousand pound,
Which made the blood his ears surround:
Tho in amaze, he cry’d, I’m sure
This golden salve will heal the sore.

30
‘Blest be my father,’ then he cry’d,
‘Who did this portion for me hide,
And while I do alive remain
I never will be drunk again.’