Michaelmas Term: The Citizens Kind Welcome to Countrymen, that from all parts of the Land come hither about their needless occasions (needful I mean) with a description of the seasons and manners of the people therein employed.  
To the tune of, The Rambling Clerk.  
 

COme hither my Muse if that thou beest cold,  
And warm thyself well with Promethian fire,  
Which when thou hast done let me he bold,  
In matter of moment thy aid to require.  
My mind is resolved to write on a Theme,  
The which my expression I hope shall confirm,  
Those men that do come from all parts of the Realm  
I bid them all welcome to Michaelmas Term.   

The Tradesman of London with long Expectation,  
Have looked for the coming of this happy time,  
They are sick at the heart of the let tous vexation,  
But now on a sudden they'll be in their prime.  
They think themselves happy; especially some,  
If Michaelmas rend and their diet they earn,  
But now they are glad for their harvest is conse,  
The Country brings money to Michaelmas Term.   

The Inholders, Vintners, Victuallers, and Cooks  
through want of employment make grievous complaint  
In all this long season they were off o'th' hooks,  
But now their red Lettuce they do new paint,  
Some set up new signs or new flourish the old,  
And mend their old houses if they be infirm,  
To venture their many they dare well be he bold,  
In hope to regain it in Michaelmas Term.   

The Tapster's Ostlers, and Chamberlains all,  
Chiefly about Holborn, Fleetstreet and the Strand,  
Since Trinity Term had take but small,  
Which caused many of them to run behind hand.  
But now they are jovial and take heart a grace,  
And both nimble gestures and speeches they learn,  
Their gains now come tumbling in a great pace,  
Long time they have wished for Michaelmas Term.   

Some Attorneys and some that solicit Law cases,  
That all the Vacation in the Country plods,  
They like to king Janus can use double faces,  
And strive to set Neighbour with Neighbour at odds,  
Now hither they come with their bags full of Law,  
But see profits they all to themselves do confirm  
Although it be but for a Truss of Rye straw,  
The case must be try'dat Michaelmas Term.   

The rambling Clerks that for lodging and diet  
Have run on the Ticket with Victuallers and Cooks,  
Besides now and then for some overplus riot,  
Some of them have pawned their gowns & their books  
O now they are frostick and sing care always,  
For Country Clients about them do swarm,  
Now all their old scores they'll be able to pay,  
Their hands are so nimble in Michaelmas Term.   

The thire-penny Ordinaries are so full thronged,  
That there you can scarce get one bit of meat,  
Your country men proudly do scorn to be wronged,  
And yet their own besties they basely will cheat.  
The Lawyer's hands are still itching for fees,  
Which makes the plain husbandman let out his farm  
To come up to London is eat bread and chease,  
While Lawyers eat Roast-meat in Michaelmas Term.   

The second Part,  
To the same Tune.  

THe dainty fine Girls that keep shop in the Change  
Against this quick season have been exercised,  
To furnish their costers with fashions all strange,  
The finest and rarest that can be devised,  
They keep their old Ditty, Sir what is't you lack,  
Which Country people are greedy to learn,  
The husband must carry the wife some new knack  
Or else he's not welcome from Michaelmas Term.   

The javial Watermen trim up their Botes,  
And to be more pliant in plying their sares,  
With strong béer & Ale they do licker their throats  
For which they will wander to the Alehouse by pairs  
And if the frost do not their labour prevent,  
Abundance of money they daily will earn,  
Which in the vacation will freely be spent,  
And then they will think upon Michaelmas Term.   

The feather-héeld wenches that live by their own,  
Who long have been needy for want of good trading,  
For when all the gallants are gone out o'th' town,  
Oh then these fine Pinnaces lack their due lading:  
Therefore the vocation they rue like the rest,  
Because neither diet nor clothes they can earn,  
But now the●'r in hope well to feather their nest,  
They look for good doings in Michaelmas Term.   

Pickpockets & Cheaters with Knights of the Post,  
Do long for the Termtime like honester men,  
Where concourse of people is, they do get most,  
With rooking exploits which they use now & then:  
And yet if they chance to be got in the nick,  
the hangman next sessions will teach them a charm  
Will cure their disease be they never so sick,  
Oh then will they think on Michaelmas Term.   

The Court and the City, the Country withal  
If you will behold a part of all three,  
Then come at this time to Westminster-hall,  
Where people from all parts assembled be:  
And thus I'll conclude as at first I begun,  
Experience all this for truth will confirm,  
I hope I have given distaste to no man  
For I bid them all welcome to Michaelmas Term.     

Printed for F. Coles, T. Vere, and J. Wright.