Money is my Master:  
Yet once it was a servant unto me,  
But now for want of Money I am in misery,  
Yet I do hope to find some remedy.   
To the tune of, Better late thrive then never.  

 

I Have been the Master of money good store,  
but now alas 'tis nothing so,  
For now I am grown very exceeding poor,  
and cannot well tell what to do:  
'Tis want of this money for that was my friend,  
And when I had store I it lewdly did spend,  
I thought I should never of it seen an end,  
This money is many men's master their master,  
'Tis money is now grown my master.   

Perhaps some will say it is but as dross,  
but I say it is a fine mettle,  
For he that wants money is possessed with a cross,  
and is like to enjoy but a ltittle:  
For he that hath money may have what he will.  
Look what he desireth his mind to fulfil,  
With brave entertainment and kind welcome still,  
'Tis money is many men's master their master,  
This money, etc.   

Whereas I had store of silver and gold,  
than I was respected with Gallants,  
But now I have none their love is grown cold,  
and I'm more rejected then valliants.  
Those that I have feasted with wine & good cheer  
From me stand a loft & will not come me near,  
Because I want means it puts me in fear.  
'Tis money is many men's master their Master,  
'Tis money, etc.   

Thus lack of this money makes all men forego me,  
as if they ne'er saw me before,  
But if I had money i'm sure they would know me  
and I should have company store:  
They would come unto me with tales and with lies,  
And many brave projects they soon would devise,  
But let men be careful, such are cunning spies,  
'Tis money is many men's master their master,  
'Tis money, etc.   

Now I all alone may sit like an ass,  
whilst others are frollickly drinking,  
And freely carousing the cup and the glass,  
I to myself sadly am thinking,  
How they are in danger to fall in the snare.  
Wherein I am tangled with grief & with care,  
Therefore I advise you such lewdness forbear,  
'Tis money is many men's master their master,  
'Tis money, etc.   

This money's a servant likewise I may say,  
to them that do carefully use it,  
But it is uncertain and soon runs away,  
and specially if once you abuse it:  
I mean if you wast it in drinking and pride,  
At Cards Dice and whores full fast it will slide,  
Leave off all such follies for thus I have tried,  
That money becometh my master my master,  
'Tis money that now is my Master.    

The second part,  
To the same tune.  
 

LIkewise there are some to money are slaves,  
and do estéem it as their God,  
Then more that they have the more still they crave  
but those are most impudent bad:  
For money was made for to pass to and fro,  
As for them that hard it 'twill turn to their woe,  
But for my own part I did never do so.  
For money is now grown my master my master,  
'Tis money is now grown my master.   

This money is grown such a conqueror,  
as Alexander was never greater,  
He gained all his credit and honour by war  
But money now wins it more better:  
There are many brave sparks march in silver & gold,  
That the face of a foe they did scarce ere behold,  
It is their great maintenance that makes them bold  
And these are right masters of money of money,  
O these are, etc.   

This fine Master Money is grown such a man,  
that many would fain enter in it,  
But never since those witches from Lancaster came,  
could I have the fortune to gain it:  
'Twill one day be better but certain ne'er worse,  
If ere I get Money again in my purse,  
I'll lay a grey groat I'll take a better course,  
And seek to be a master of money of money,  
I fain would, etc.   

This lack of this Money doth trouble my mind,  
that I am full sorely tormented,  
I have much a do a kind Hostis to find,  
that will with me now be contented:  
Quoth she give me Money for I ●ill not score,  
She says she hath chalk enough behind the door,  
But I must entreat her to set up some more,  
Till I can be, etc.   

Now he that hath Money though't be but a boy,  
he shall be made welcome most friendly,  
The love of brave Gallants be soon may enjoy,  
and he shall be used most kindly:  
There's no age nor wit no strength can prevail,  
'Tis Money may do't for it is a sure bail,  
and he that hath it can seldom times fail,  
This money, etc.   

Now thus to conclude and so end my ditty,  
you that have money make good use on't,  
For friendship is cold in Country Town & City  
if once you be driven to want,  
Therefore now be warned, for here you may see  
The griefs & the sorrows that now possess me,  
And this was all long of my bad husbandry.  
'Tis Money is many men's master their master,  
'Tis money is now grown my master.    
FINIS.   

Printed at London for Francis Coules.