THE hangman's LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT: WITH His Lagacy to the Nine Worthies, viz. Col. Lambert, Creed, &c.  

I Have lived to see such wretchedness,  
When none but honesty are crimes,  
That my ropes are turned into rhymes.  
I and my Gallows groan.   

Things are so carried I can't tell how,  
there's as many above still as are below,  
I have hanged such in shirts as white as snow.  
I and my gallows groan,   

Oliver he lived by a plot,  
The Parliament sits still, and why not?  
And I fared well by a bow-knot.  
I and, &c.   

All my delight was in a jail,  
My estate was got at a cart's tail,  
I know not what these people ail.  
I and &c.   

Oliver he a Coach would drive,  
And was honey in the Parliaments be hive  
Neither he nor I loved a reprieve.  
I and &c.   

I wish I had had his Protectors rest,  
I'd have laid it an earnest for a jest,  
But Sir Harry Vane's worth all the rest,  
I and etc:   

I have chopped off many a worthy head,  
And thanks to the sheriffs have been well fed,  
But that I can dock must never be said.  
I and &c.   

Lambert I knew was troubled with the yellows,  
And more perplexed with his fellows.  
Had I lived I'd cured him at the gallows.  
I and &c.   

Never was any so bad as my trade,  
The nine Worthies would have made,  
As a drudge before something a Jade.  
I and &c.   

But I had got nothing by the thing,  
there's indemnity 'gainst the string,  
But my heir may get by a forward spring,  
I and etc:   

I see John Lilburne at a bar,  
And Sir George Booth that man of war,  
But could get neither in my Car.  
I and my &c.   

I think the Ordinary's long prayer,  
Hath spoilt frequenting of my fair.  
Till all long-winded R— are there.  
I and &c.   

For half thirteen pence halfpenny wages  
I would have cleared all the Town cages,  
And you should have been rid of all the sages.  
I and &c.   

There was much climbing 'mong the Grandees,  
Yet they all I see know the wood from the trees,  
And all to cousin me of my fees.  
I and &c.   

The high Court of justice was out of use,  
The thieves and the Bench had made a truce,  
For want of authority, a lean excuse.  
I and &c.   

'twould vex anybody to keep an axe,  
As long as there are any Alderman Packs,  
Or Desborough eke with his wide sacks.  
I and &c.   

That Duckenfield, Packer, and Major Creed,  
Of my helping hand should have such need,  
When I am not able to do the deed,  
I and &c.   

Lambert would also borrow the block,  
As well as my Lady did Oliver's cock,  
But like him I must patiently bear this mock:  
I and &c.   

Fleetwood also lacks some of my skill,  
And that I can't do't fokes take it ill,  
I'd hang 'em all if I could have my will.  
I and &c.   

'tis vain to look for dead men's shoes,  
Else I had had Hewson in a noose,  
But my successor wont him lose.  
I and &c.   

Tyburn was once in mourning clad,  
For a great man, and I also very sad,  
A full bunch will make you all glad.  
I and my gallows groan.    

London, Printed for Charles Gustavus. Jan. 17. 1659.