THE PRENTICES Answer to the WHORES PETITION.  

SAd was the day although clear was the weather  
When the rude rout against you met together,  
Though boys were said to be the first beginners  
'Twas mwn on mischief bend that were the Sinners.  
The Prentices 'tis known are not so rude,  
'twas but the scum of a rude multitude,  
Who under that same Name of Prentices  
Would have pulled down houses and Pentices  
In every place, 'twas they that were the hollowers,  
Such as were Naples Massanelle's followers,  
'tis truth we will not your base actions own,  
But let the truth unto the world be shown;  
Though you by your loose actions foully deal,  
We scorn to plunder, or to rob or steal  
But 'tis our griefs we should be so base fitted  
Under our Names such things should be committed.   

We are full sensible such rude beginnings  
Can be to you and us but fatal win,  
No, those who in such desperate actions deal,  
Are such who only mind to rob and steal,  
Men of as wicked lives as you can be,  
Who spurn the rope, kick at the Gallow tree  
Who would, and have no doubt with you drove trades,  
We scorn their acts, and hate such dirty Jades:  
Who a right Apprentice is doth scorn base Actions  
And under fair pretences head rude factions,  
We know the consequence of such distasters  
What us when as the rabble becomes masters;  
" When men on freedom given do make intrusion  
" What follows but disorder and confusion.   

Yet let us tell you too you are not blameless  
Your damned impudence hath made you shameless,  
You at your doors do stand Poxed and Painted  
Perfumed with powder yet with all vice tainted.  
You with your becks and damned alluring looks  
Are unto men just like to tenter hooks  
To pull them in, and truck with such base Jades  
And so to make work for the Surgeon's trades  
It is your cursed acts and dealings base  
Makes pocky Bills so thick in every place,  
A man can't piss but if he casts his eye  
A two or three of them he shall espy,  
All this occasioned by your base Jading  
For why, so long as Rogues and Whores are trading,  
The Surgeons will have work, who in such wars  
Gain more by Venus, than they do my Mars.   

'tis known that most of us we are well bred  
And scorn a giddy multitude to head,  
We know we shall Masters become in time  
And that Rebellion is a scurvy crime,  
'Twas such as bad as you this harm hath done you,  
For us, we scorn to foul our fingers on you,   

Now think the Proverb right falls to your lot  
That what upon the Devils back is got  
Is spent under his belly, all men believes  
You got your wealth by Rogues, lost it by Theives.   

Then for ourselves we too the world appeal  
If in this case we do not fairly deal;  
Let the right Horse the saddle have on's back,  
Let us not blamed be you went to wrack  
We know you not nor did we know your houses,  
We scorn such Pocky Jades, such dirty Blowses,  
We partly do believe that it is true  
'Twas some you clapped before, that now clapped you.   

Next unto them let's speak, who in our Names  
By their base facts do murder our good fames,  
We wish you hence forth for to have a care  
Lest that the Halter do fall to your share,  
For those who do such acts, it is their lot,  
Are last to fall in Squire Duns Porridge-pot;  
Such Rope ripe Actions will cause you to wear  
A Riding knot an inch below your ear.  
And all men know it is a dangerous thing  
At the Tiburnian Tree to take a Swing.  
Let our advice to so much goodness win ye  
As not to stir, unless the Devils in ye,  
For if you in proceedings further sink  
The more you stir, the worse will you stink.  
You and whoever shall be your partaker  
Will by that means make work for the Rope-maker,  
For though you think much by it may be won  
By doing thus you're sure to be undone,  
For what so ere by such things you may hope  
The final end of Tumults is a ROPE.    

London, Printed 1668.