Wat Williams Will.  
Wellwishing Williams Will and Testament,  
Which to the Ballad-singer he hath sent,  
To be dispersed to all good people kind,  
That would do well, and bear an honest mind.  
To the tune of, Then let us to Virginia go.  

 

I Wish for no man's riches,  
yet would I were more wealthy;  
And those that are both sick and lame  
I would they were more healthy:  
I wish to be contented  
with that which God doth send me,  
And take his blessings in good part,  
of all that he doth lend me.   

I wish all cruel Landlords  
would not be stony hearted,  
That to their Tenants which are poor  
some Rent be back imparted,  
Then sure their Heirs would prosper,  
and not so soon consume it,  
As some with Dice, and Drabs, and Drink,  
and Indian-wéede perfume it.   

I wish all Christian people  
in peace to live together,  
And not for trifles go to law,  
or wagging of a feather:  
The Lawyers they make rich,  
unto their own undoing,  
As too too many in this Land  
do wring their hands with wooing.   

I wish all Shopkéepers  
would use true weight and measure,  
And not with slight and rotten Wares  
get such a deal of Treasure;  
With yea, and nay, and truly,  
and verily, dear Brother,  
I cannot sell under that price  
if 'twere unto my Mother.   

I wish Artificers  
and handy-crafty Tradesmen,  
Would make no slight and rotten Wares,  
in which they so deceive men;  
Their Stuff are naught and rotten,  
and will not hold the wearing,   

I wish that Quacksalvers  
and Mountebanks so busy,  
That kills so many with their Drugs,  
and live in corners privy,  
They had some better skill,  
and not so many murder,  
Those private faults they do commit  
the earth doth quickly smother.   

I wish that Farmer's rich  
that hordeth Corn in corners,  
And those that buys the Bread of life,  
and hides it in their Garners,  
It might from them be taken,  
who makes such scarce of plenty,  
Ere it doth rot, as some hath done,  
and given to Poor that's empty.   

Would Bakers all were honest;  
and Colliers sell true measure,  
Nor shrink their Sacks to wrong the poor,  
'twould do them much pleasure;  
Would Souters use good Leather,  
and Tailors leave their stealing,  
The needy sort should better live,  
if all used honest dealing.   

I Wish all Tapsters eke,  
their liquor not to spill it,  
Nor yet to bombast up their jugges  
and Pots, with froth to fill it;  
You need not call for drink,  
if you have money plenty,  
hée'l fill your brains and belly full,  
but soon your pockets empty.   

I wish all Ostlers eke  
to leave their double dealing,  
Nor use to grease their Horse's teeth,  
nor yet their Oats be stealing;  
They'll cheat you to your face,  
strewing Oats on the pecks bottom,    

The second part,  
To the same tune.  
 

WOuld drunkards leave such drinking,  
and Gallants leave their roaring:  
Would desperate Dick forbear to stab,  
and Lechers leave their whoring:  
If there were no Pickpockets,  
nor Théeves in corners lurking,  
The Hangman might go hang himself,  
or starve, for want of working.   

I doubt some money-mongers  
that useth great extortion,  
Which maketh Dice of poor men's bones,  
they shall have Dives portion:  
I wish that jailers eke  
of Country and of City,  
Would not use Prisoners poor like dogs,  
but take of them some pity.   

I wish all men were honest,  
and all did love true dealing,  
Nor run in debt good minds to cheat,  
nor any bent to stealing;  
Would there no cheating were,  
no cogging, nor no lying:  
Would there were no deceit at all  
in selling or in buying.   

Would some receive no bribes,  
nor double Fees be taking,  
Some Clients on the surer side  
would not have hearts so aching,  
And Termers might keep home,  
being ruled by honest Neighbours,  
As many which were wise have done,  
and saved their Coin and labours.   

I wish no strifes nor jarring  
twixt married couples happen,  
And then each thing will prosper well,  
their children well will batten:  
All things will well increase,  
by God's Almighty power,  
In discord do not spend your days.  
nor on each other lower.   

Likewise I wish all Parents  
their Children well to nourish,  
And in God's word to train them up,  
which like to Vines will flourish:  
And Children have a care  
to please your Parents truly,  
Then long you shall enjoy the land,  
and have all things most duly.   

I wish true amity  
'mongst Neighbours may be common;  
And that no honest minded man  
be matched with a bad woman:  
Nor that an honest wife  
do with a mad man marry,  
Being so yoked, there's naught but strife,  
and all things seem to vary.   

I wish all wicked Traitors,  
and such like bloody fellows,  
That do their King and Country hate,  
were hanged on the Gallows.  
I wish that peace and plenty  
may in our Kingdom flourish,  
And that the Gospel's heavenly light  
we may embrace and nourish.   

And all wished happiness  
unto my King I render,  
That long amongst us he may reign,  
in glory and in splendour:  
Our gracious Queen God bless,  
and Royal Progeny,  
Long let them live, and after death  
place them in Heaven most high.   

I wish the Clergy well,  
the Nobles, and the Gentry,  
The Laymen, and the Commons all,  
poor men I'll not exempt ye;  
Lord send us charity,  
let us our lives be mending,  
And give thee thanks for all thy gifts  
thou still to us art sending.   

Thus now my Testament  
I fully have concluded,  
And wish you well to use these lines  
which here you have perused:  
This is my Legacy  
which unto all is given:  
The Lord preserve you every one,  
And send your souls to heaven.    
FINIS.  
Wat Woe;; ●●ms   

Printed at London for H. Gosson.