The merry Hoastess:  
OR,  
A pretty new Ditty, composed by an Hoastess that lives in the City:  
To wrong such and Hoastess it were a great pity,  
By reason she caused this pretty new Ditty.  
To the Tune of, Buff Coat has no Fellow.  
 
 

COme all that loves good company,  
and harken to my Ditty;  
'Tis of a lovely Hoastess fine,  
that lives in London City:  
Which sells good Ale, nap and stale,  
and always thus sings she,  
My Ale was tunned when I was young,  
and a little above my knee.   

Her Ale is lively strong and stout,  
if you please but to taste;  
It is well brewed you need not fear,  
but I pray you make no waste:  
It is lovely brown, the best in Town,  
and always thus sings she,  
My Ale was tunned when I was young,  
and a little above my knee.   

The gayest Lady with her Fan,  
doth love such nappy Ale;  
Both City Maids, and country girls  
that carries the milking Pail:  
Will take a touch, and not think much,  
to sing so merrily,  
My Ale was tunned when I was young,  
and a little above my knee.   

Both Lord and Esquire hath a desire  
unto it night and day;  
For a quart or two, be it old or new,  
and for it they will pay:  
With Pipe in hand they may her command  
to sing most merrily,  
My Ale was tunned when I was young,  
and a little above my knee.   

You're welcome all brave Gentlemen,  
if you please to come in;  
To take a cup I do intend,  
and a health for to begin:  
To all the merry joval Blades,  
that will sing for company,  
My Ale was tunned when I was young,  
and a little above my knee.   

Here's a Health to all brave English men  
that loves this cup of Ale;  
Let every man fill up his Can,  
and see that none do fail,  
'Tis very good to nourish the blood,  
and make you sing with me,  
My Ale was tunned when I was young,  
and a little above my knee.   

The second Part,  
to the same Tune.  
 
 

THe bonny Scot will lay a plot,  
to get a handsome touch  
Of this my Ale so good and stale;  
so will the cunning Dutch:  
They will take a part with all their heart,  
to sing this tune with me,  
My Ale was tunned when I was young,  
and a little above my knee.   

It will make the Irish cry a hone,  
If they but take their fill;  
And put them all quite out of tune,  
let them use their chiefest skill:  
So strong and stout it will hold out  
in any company:  
For my Ale was tunned when I was young,  
and a little above my knee.   

The welsh-man on Saint David's Day  
will cry, Cots Plutter a nail,  
Hur will her ferry quite away,  
from off that nappy Ale:  
It makes her foes with her red Nose,  
Her seldom can agree.  
But my Ale was tunned when I was young,  
and a little above my knee.   

The Spaniard stout will have about,  
'cause he hath store of gold;  
Till at the last he is laid fast,  
my Ale doth him so hold:  
His poniard strong is laid along,  
yet he is good company.  
For my Ale was tunned when I was young,  
and a little above my knee.   

There's never a Tradesman in England,  
that can my Ale deny;  
The Weaver, Taylor, and Glover,  
delights it for to buy:  
Small money they do take away,  
if that they drink with me.  
For my Ale was tunned when I was young,  
and a little above my knee.   

There is Smug the honest Blacksmith,  
he seldom can pass by;  
Because a spark lies in his throat,  
which makes him very dry:  
But my old Ale tells him his tale,  
so finely we agree.  
For my Ale was tunned when I was young,  
and a little above my knee.   

The Brewer, Baker, and Butcher,  
as well as all the rest,  
Both night and day will watch where they  
may find Ale of the best:  
And the Gentle Craft will come full oft  
to drink a cup with me.  
For my Ale was tunned when I was young,  
and a little above my knee.   

So to conclude, good Fellows all,  
I bid you all adieu;  
If that you love a cup of Ale,  
take rather old than new:  
For if you come where I do dwell,  
and chance to drink with me:  
My Ale was tunned when I was young,  
and a little above my knee.    T. R. 
FINIS.   

London, Printed for John Andrews, at the White Lion near pie-corner.