Fair fall all good Tokens. OR, A pleasant new Song not common to be had, Which will teach you to know good tokens from bad. To a pleasant new tune.  

TO you that have bad tokens,  
this matter I indight,  
Yet nothing shall be spoken,  
that shall your minds affright:  
Be silent therefore and stand still,  
mark what proceedeth from my Quill:  
I speak of tokens good and ill,  
and such as are not right.   

But first I'll have you understand,  
before that I do pass,  
That there are many tokens  
which are not made of brass,  
It is a token of my love,  
that I to you this matter move;  
For many tokens bad do prove,  
we see in every place.   

Yet by all signs and tokens,  
as I may judge or think,  
The man that hath lost both his eyes,  
he cannot choose but wink;  
But some will wink when they may see,  
but that is nothing unto me:  
Some shut their eyes to have a fee,  
which are in love with chink.   

He that hath gained much silver,  
and doth possess much gold,  
It's a token that he shall be rich,  
if he his substance hold:  
But he that hath but little store,  
and spendeth all and something more,  
It's a token that he shall dye poor,  
to say't you may be bold.   

He that is a very fool,  
and wisdom doth despise,  
It's a token that he shall be old  
if he live till he be wise:  
And he that hath great store of wit,  
and maketh no right use of it,  
It's a token that he is unfit  
in honour to arise.   

But this is a bad token,  
mark well what I shall say:  
When a young man hath a handsome wife  
and lets her run astray,  
It is a token she will be naught,  
and quickly unto lewdness brought,  
If that she be no better taught,  
she'll bring him to decay.   

The second part, To the same tune.  

He that hath a fiery nose,  
which looks like Claret red;  
It's a token than he doth consume  
in drink more than in bread:  
For if his nose be fiery hot,  
it's a token that he loves the pot:  
He hates small drink and loves it not,  
he hath not so been fed.   

Then fair fall all good tokens,  
now it comes into mind:  
Mark which way sits the Weathercock,  
and that way blows the wind:  
Mark which w●y rowles a Wantoness eye,  
and something you may see thereby;  
Or if you please then you may try,  
and so the trut●●●y find.   

He that hath lived in wickedness,  
and doth in vice, remain,  
It is a token he hath no care  
to free his soul from pain:  
When Conscience doth on Crutches creep  
its a token Truth is lulled asleep,  
Which makes poor men in dangers deep  
to call and cry in vain.   

But this is a token of a truth,  
which doth betoken ill:  
An angry wife will work much woe,  
but she will have her will:  
For if she chance to bend her brow,  
or seem to look I know not how  
It's a token she will scold I vow,  
her tongue will not lie still.   

But this is a true token,  
then mark my word aright:  
When Sol is setting in the West  
the world will lose her light.  
So when an old man's head grows grey,  
he may think on his dying day:  
For to the grave he must away  
and bid the world good night.   

He that hath a wand'ring eye,  
and loves lewd women dear,  
It's a token that he'll prove a knave:  
Bust I'll tell you in your ear  
For sure you never saw the like  
a Soldier loves to toss a pike:  
The Capster draws but dares not strikes  
which doth betoken fear.   

Then fair fall all good tokens  
and well fare a good heart:  
For by all signs and tokens  
'tis time for to depart:  
And now it's time to end my song  
I hope I have done no man wrong:  
For he that cannot rule his tongue  
shall feel a greater smart.    
FINIS.   

Printed at London for Henry Gosson.