A Description of Plaindealing, Time, and Death, Which all Men ought to mind whilst they do live on earth. Abuse not Plaindealing, but keep your Conscience clear, Spend well your Time also, then Death you need not fear.  

Plaindealing is grown out of Date  
Because he is poor, many him hate:  
Conscience likewise is laid aside,  
'Cause he base Actions can't abide.   
Written by Thomas Lanfire.  
To the Tune of, A Letter for a Christian Family.  

Plaindealing love's Honesty,  
Conscience hates Knavery.   
 
 
 Plaindealing. 

I Am Plaindealing which all men ought to use,  
But many now a days doth me abuse:  
Dissimulation is esteemed best,  
Poor Plaindealing is grown out of request.   

In City, Town, and likewise in Country,  
They say Plaindealing will a Beggar Dye:  
Gallants they at me do both mock and flout,  
Because that I go in a Threadbare Coat.   

The reason that so many doth me slight,  
Is because I am Honest and Downright:  
I use no Deceit, Fraud, nor Flattery,  
But does to all men as I'd be done by.   

I am not Covetaus nor Worldly wise,  
I crave no more than what will me suffice:  
I hate vain Pride which now too much doth reign,  
Therefore plaindealing they'll not entertain.   

In Days of Old I was a welcome Guest,  
And had good entertainment with the best:  
I was esteemed amongst Rich and Poor,  
But now plaindealing is turned out of Door.   

For now Dissimulation hath got the Day,  
And in this Nation bears a mighty sway:  
plain-dealing is held in scorn and disgrace,  
Alack, when shall I find a restingplace.   Conscience. 

My Name is Conscience, poor plain-dealing's mate  
Although like him, i'm Old and out of date:  
Many with their whole hearts doth me defy,  
'Cause Conscience can't agree with Knavery.   

But if I within their Bosoms once do creep,  
With their base arions I prick their hearts deep:  
I mind them of their Covetousness and Pride,  
Therefore poor Conscience they cannot abide.   

The Lawyer and Usurer hath forgot me,  
They Gripe poor Men Unconscionably:  
I hay study only how to keep up Gold,  
Conscience and plain-dealing they quite have sold.   

And many others in these times there are,  
That of their Conscience do not take no care:  
They pawn their Conscience for Lucre of gain,  
Which Conscience will to them at last make plain.   

So many are inclined to Cruelty,  
And doth Conscience and plaindealing defy:  
Tell them of Conscience they'll count you their foe,  
Quoth they Conscience was Hanged long time ago.   

But I wish such men they folly would refuse,  
Lest Conscience at the last should them accuse:  
In a good Conscience a man may put trust,  
Then see you keep your Conscience right and just.   


Time it doth pass away full fast,  
Yet many doth spend Time in waste:  
When Time is gone then cometh Death,  
And puts a stop to Mortal Breath.   
Time doth stay for none. ☞ Death Cuts down every one.  TIME. 

I Am the ancient standard of great fame,  
Which all men ought to prise, Time is my name:  
But this vain world doth now so many blind,  
So that I am almost grown out of mind.   

For why, I am slighted by many a one,  
Who ne'er thinks on me till i'm past and gone:  
And then too late they do mourn and complain,  
Wishing they could recall back Time again.   

Some spendeth their whole Time most wickedly,  
In Drunkenness, Whoredom, and Blasphemy:  
And some again sets their delight in Pride,  
Not thinking how their precious Time doth slide.   

Time is a stately jewel of great gain,  
If it be well prized and not spent in vain:  
Those that their time bestows in doing well,  
In happiness no doubt but they shall dwell.   

And those that spends their time in Idleness,  
Shall one day want it in their great distress:  
The whole world can't lost time restore,  
Yesterday gone and will ne'er return more.   
Time's last Speech to the World.  

Like to an Arrow shot out of a Bow,  
Like to the Tide he which doth Ebb and Flow:  
Like is a Bird full swift I fly away,  
For Rich nor Poor i'll not make any stay.   DEATH. 

I am the chief Commander Captain Death,  
I Fight against all Mortals upon Earth:  
When I amongst them chance to have a care,  
I Conquer all, none dare with me hold War.   

I fear not the bravest Champions that be,  
Though they are stout, yet they can't Conquer me:  
'Tis not Manhood nor Valour can them save,  
I make them stoop and yield unto the Grave.   

The chiefest Prince that in the world doth Live,  
When I him strike, he up the Ghost must give:  
His whole Kingdom can't him from me retain,  
From Dust he came, and shall to Dust again,   

Of Rich men's Power I do not stand in fear,  
Nor for their loftiness I do not care:  
Their Pride and Honour in the Earth I lay,  
When their Glass is out, with me they must away.   

Thus Rich and Poor, with Old and Young also,  
Both Wise and Simple to the Grave must go:  
There's no respect of Persons, worst or best,  
All must at last by me lie Mortu us est.   

When I on Mortals lay my fatal stroke,  
They can't in no wise slip out my Yoke:  
I came suddenly and unawares to all,  
Then see you are prepared when Death doth call.   
FINIS.    

Printed for F. Coles, T. Vere, J. Wright, and J. Clarke.,