THE APPRENTICES HUE-AND-CRY AFTER THEIR PETITION.  
WHo so can Tidings bring of a Petition,  
That's gone Astray, and in a lost Condition.  
Who so can Advertise which way it went,  
Shall be Rewarded, and have good Content.  
But, whither is it gone? out of the Nation,  
Or was it frighted by the Proclamation?  
Or is it Dead, through many fears?  
Or is it Banished with the Cavaliers?  
Or does it hid, like the Innocent Owls?  
Or have the Red-Coats got it into Paul's?  
Or is it Fled and not Pursued?  
Or is it carried to be Viewed  
By the Lord Lambert? Or is't lost?  
Or is it in the middle of the Host  
At Portsmouth? Or is it gone  
Wand'ring to Scotland all alone?  
Or has it taken Water to Graves End?  
Or to White Hall? Or dost intent  
To keep its Christmas in a Country Town?  
Or did the good Committee put it down?  
Or did our Father Atkin (being anoy'd)  
Up with his RUMP and make it void?  
Surely 'tis gone we know not whither,  
That and the Answer both together,  
But  Imprisoned be? What shall it die?  
Shall it be lost for want of Hue-and-Cry?  
Shall it grow out of Date through want of Care?  
Shalt always be detained in Red-Coats Snare?  
Shalt ne'er be found? Through Negligence  
Shall we be still put off under pretence  
Of a Responsal? Yet we see  
Nothing at all but mere Formality.  
But shall we part with't thus, and we not see?  
Shall we serve Seven Years and not be Free?  
Shall we be Cheated so? No, stay,  
We will Reduced if gone Astray.  
If it be frighted by the Proclamation,  
Our Swords Establish shall a Reformation.  
If it be Banished, believe it,  
we'll forfeit our Indentures to Reprieve it.  
Or if the Red-Coats have't in Paul's, no doubt,  
we'll pull the Steeple down to fetch it out,  
If Atkins blewed away, he shall Adjourn  
His Arse a while, the Wind we'll turn  
Into another Point, and he  
Shall Fart no more so eagerly.  
If it be gone by Water or by Land  
To Scotland, White Hall or Grave's End,  
If in a Country Town it make a stay,  
Our Writs shall fetch it back before Twelfth day.  
Wherever'tis, where e'er 'tis gone  
(Whether with Company, or all alone)  
Heigh, all together, let us fetch it Home.  
FINIS.