The Courageous Ploughman, or, The Citizens Misfortune.  
Being an encouragement to all Ploughmen, to exercise themselves in their Youth with a Cudgel, that they may the better know how to handle a sharper weapon, if need require.  

I shall not stand the Subject to repeat,  
Because the Verses do it so complete,  
To hear how meekly the Citizens came off,  
I think it cannot choose but make you laugh;  
The Parties here I must forbear to name,  
For fear the Author chance to bear the blame.   
To the Tune of, Dick and Nan, Or, The Tyrant.  
 
 

THere was a brave Citizen  
walked forth of late,  
From London tothth' Country  
to choose him a mate;  
His Eloquent Compliments  
and his success  
To you in these Verses  
I'll plainly express.   

He then was attired  
handsome and neat,  
In a Suit and a Cloak  
and a Beaver complete;  
In his pockets he had  
twenty pieees of Gold,  
Which he had provided  
to make himself bold.   

He then took his journey  
to Nottingham Town,  
And there he alighted  
and brank at the Crown;  
Whereas a young Damosel  
appeared in his sight,  
Which caused the Youngman  
to tarry all night.   Citizen. 

With Eloquent speeches  
he thus did begin;  
Fair Lady could I but  
your favour now win:  
If you grant me your love  
that's the thing I des; ire,  
By reason my heart with love  
is set on fire.   Maid. 

'Tis strange quoth the Maiden  
love should be so hot;  
Such love I'm persuaded  
will soon be forgot;  
But I wish that the heat thereof  
might be assuaged,  
For I to another am  
deeply incaged.   Citizen. 

There's no man on earth that  
shall sever us twain;  
If thou wilt but yield for  
to love me again.  
And I for thy sake now  
will venture my life  
My reason I purpose  
to make thee my wife.   Ploughman. 

Then came in a Ploughman  
and heard him say so:  
'Tis well spoken (quoth he)  
but I know what I know;  
To tell you the truth Sir,  
the Girl is mine,  
And if thou canst win her  
than she shall be thine.   

Let us take two weapons  
and go into the field,  
And never give out until.  
one of us yield;  
It shall not be spoken  
upon an Alebench,  
That a Ploughman was fearful  
to fight for a Wench.   Citizen. 

Art thou so audacious  
to dare me to fight?  
I'll make thee an example  
before it be night:  
Thou art but a Bumpkin  
bred at the Plow-tail,  
And ne'er used no weapon  
but only thy Flail.   
 

Therefore be thou trudging  
and stand not to prate,  
Lest I with this Flagon,  
knock thee on the pate;  
Except thou art willing  
to stand to thy words,  
Then our controversy  
we'll end with our Swords.   

All things then provided  
this Combat began,  
They both tried their valours  
which was the best man;  
They fought half an hour  
as people do say,  
Yet none knew which would  
be beaten that day.   

The Ploughman most bravely  
himself did behave,  
By tracing the ground, that  
himself he did save;  
At last he with fury  
laid on such a stroke,  
With the strength of his arm,  
that his weapon it broke.   

He then closed within him  
and gave him the fall;  
Oh now quoth the Ploughman,  
you shall pay for all:  
I'll make you acknowledge  
before you depart,  
That a Ploughman will fight  
ere he'll lose his Sweetheart.   

O hold thy hand Ploughman,  
pe●cavi I cry,  
O let me not here in  
a strange Country die;  
Take my gold, cloak, and rapier  
and all that I have,  
The Damosel's thy own  
if my life thou wilt save.   

The Ploughman obtained  
the conquest that day,  
And twenty Gold pieces  
he carried away:  
He furnished his pockets,  
his back and his side,  
and gained him a Damosel  
to make him a Bride.   

The Cockney with sorrow  
lamented his loss,  
And home he returned  
but by weeping Cross:  
His mother these Verses  
at leisure may read,  
And give him good counsel  
to take better heed.   

Concluding my Ditty  
I thus make an end,  
I wish some honest Ploughman  
would now stand my friend,  
And give me some liquor  
for I am very dry,  
If I tell you the truth  
than I tell no lie.  
Whoop Cockney, where's your twenty Pound?   
Finis.   

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