A COPY OF VERSES, HUMBLY PRESENTED To all his worthy Masters and Mistresses In the Town of Lambeth.  By THOMAS OULDMAN, Belman. 
 depiction of a bellman  

The PROLOGUE.  
I walk my Rounds, kind Sirs, as you can tell,  
And very seldom fail to Ring my Bell;  
The Winter Frosts I value not, but take  
A pleasure in my Labours for your sake.  
And now the time o'th' Year commands to bring  
My Verses to you as an Offering,  
I hope that every one will mindful be  
Of all my Pains, my Christmas-Box and Me.   

On St. Thomas' Day.  
WHen as St. Thomas heard that Christ did live,  
Whom he saw dead, no credit could he give  
To that report, till he his hand did hide  
In the wide wounds made in Christ's side.  
Oh weak of Faith, to think he should not give  
Life to himself, who made the Dead to live!  
But this declares Man's frailty; Then let's cry,  
Increase our Faith, good Lord, or else we die.   

On Christmas day.  
When great Augustus Caesar reigned on Earth,  
Then was the time of our great Saviour's birth:  
Which Angels caused from Heaven to descend,  
That they to th' world glad tidings might commend,  
Singing this Song, Glory to God on High,  
And Peace on Earth; thoughts from Eternity  
Of good will towards Men, is now made known,  
Believing in him, Heaven and all's our own.   

On St. Stephen's day.  
SAint Stephen was King of Martyrs, he did see  
The Heavens to open, and Jesus Christ to be  
Set on his Father's right hand, there to make  
Prayers and Intercession for Man's sake.  
Awake, O man, awake, arise and pray,  
Call on the Lord while it is called to day;  
For if the Bridegroom (entering) shut the Gate,  
Then may you call, but it will be too late.   

On St. John's day.  
SAint John was chief Apostle of the rest,  
Christ gave him leave to lean upon his breast;  
He in a Revelation saw all should come  
Upon the World until the Day of Doom;  
Which how nigh 'tis no mortal man can tell;  
Then whilst thou liv'st, endeavour to live well;  
That when Christ comes, these words be said to thee,  
Come now, ye Blessed, come and live with me.   

Upon Innocents' day.  

OH, what a Crowd of little Martyrs went  
Upon that day to Heaven, whom Herod sent!  
When he did cause the Children to be slain,  
His malice was to Christ, but was in vain;  
Man's Will cannot the Lords Decree prevent;  
That labour's lost that is so vainly spent.   

PUt not thy trust in Man, which lives on Earth,  
But in the Lord, which gave thee life and breath;  
For he is him whom thou mayst always trust,  
A gracious God, both merciful and just.    

For the Winter.  

HAppy remain my Benefactors all,  
That nightly hear my voice, my joy's not small  
That I once more have leave for to present  
My faithful service, in hopes 'twill give content.  
And since the Season it doth me invite,  
I am resolved (with God's leave) each night  
To walk my Rounds, with Lantern, Staff, and Bell,  
To see (kind sirs) all things is safe and well;  
Your doors and windows, locks and lights shall be  
Chiefly my care through all my liberty;  
And least dread danger it should come to you,  
You shall have both my Pains and Prayers too.   

IN worst of times 'tis good to serve the Lord,  
Though troubles come, yet he will still afford  
Help and Relief to those that fear his Name,  
Therefore with me extol and laud the same:  
For by that means you will more comfort find  
Than all the World can give unto your mind.   

AWake from sleep, afford your souls relief,  
And mind how death comes on you like a thief:  
Who is so courteous, with none for to advise  
What time he'll come, what hour he will surprise;  
Each hour prepare you, then wail for your sins:  
Where Death doth make an end, Judgement begins.   

KNow sinners, know, how great soe'er you are,  
That you must stand at Christ's Tribunal Bar,  
To answer for the crimes that you have done,  
Before Christ Jesus, God's beloved Son:  
And if he prove thy Advocate to be,  
Then thou art blest to all Eternity.  
And if he do refuse to be thy friend,  
Thy pains and miseries shall never end.   

GIve us (good God) all new minds, and inspire  
Our frozen hearts with thy most Holy fire:  
Guide thou our footsteps, and rectify our ways;  
Lord, teach us still to number all our days.   

LOrd, grant that here thy Gospel still may shine,  
And all our hearts may to thy Laws incline,  
To mind thy Word and Holy Sacrament,  
That while we live, we daily may repent.   

HOw frail is Man! how uncertain are his days!  
How is his Life encumbered many ways  
With care, vexation, grief and sorrow!  
Alive to day, yet may be dead to morrow.  
Death is a Messenger with flying wings,  
That strikes at poor men's Tents as well as Kings;  
O mortal man, Death always skulks behind you,  
For as Death leaves you, so shall Judgement find you.   

IT's good for us to keep in heart and mind  
The works of God, which was to us so kind.  
Then let us all, before our days are spent,  
Both great and small, now labour to repent,  
That when we shall resign our mourning breath,  
We may with smiles embrace the thoughts of death.  
Lord, grant that we our lives may all amend,  
While here we live, before this life doth end.   

NO mortal man at all times wise can be,  
The best of men delight in Vanity;  
What pity 'tis that man, who this doth know,  
Should fancy that which works his overthrow;  
But man by Nature sinful is and frail,  
And sin o'er him doth powerfully prevail;  
Then let Us poor distressed sinners all  
With contrite Hearts for God's assistance call.    

The EPILOGUE.  
Now having brought my Sheet near to an end,  
In which there's nought, I hope, that can offend;  
Sirs, 'tis my drift unthought, my Learning's small,  
With wholesome Lines still for to please you all.  
But yet I fear there's some will take offence,  
Because they find in them small Eloquence;  
I am not of such quick ripe-witted Brains,  
As to produce highflown Poetic Strains:  
And yet I hope you will accept my Rhimes,  
But to please all, poor Tom must rise betimes.    

LONDON: Printed in the Year, 1688.