A Copy of Verses Made and set forth by THOMAS PRIEST BELLMAN.  
To all my worthy Masters and Mistresses of the Ward of St. Giles' Cripplegate without, and within the Freedom.  
 depiction of Thomas Priest, town crier  

Simon and Judas.  
THis morning in all Churches far and near,  
Two Heavenly Lamps do gloriously appear,  
Simon and Judas both Apostolical  
Planters of Christ's Word Evangelical.  
Both Preachers and Proclaimers of glad news  
To ignorant Infidels and faithless Jews.  
Who after many godly Functions done  
They both received one faith by Martyrdom.   

All Saints.  
THis day presenteth to us the communion  
Of all the Saints in a most perfect union,  
For not one Angel in the Heavenly choir  
Nor human Soul that unto Heaven aspire,  
But part hath in this day solemnity  
In praise to God for their integrity,  
Lord who heavens mansions did on them bestow  
Look down on us that yet remain below.   

For Christmas Day.  
THe Son of God our blessed Saviour he  
Into the world did come to set us free,  
And to rodeem us from the bonds of sin  
Which until then our Parents lived in:  
By him we were Redeemed, and let us then  
Return him thanks that was both God and man;  
He ransomed such, at such a mighty price  
As he himself became a sacrifice,  
And spared not for our eternal good  
To part with Life and lose his precious blood.   

St. Stephen.  

T. Steven was the first that lead the Van  
●nd died for Christ! O blessed Christian,  
●●●se loss was gain, whose death did life beget,  
●●w among the Saints in Heaven doth set  
●●●n this blessed Martyr came to die  
●heir Remission he to Heaven did cry,  
●ho were his Persecutors and did want  
Soul saving-grace, for they were ignorant  
And knew not what they did, then let's take  
Pattern by him who died for Christ's sake.   

ST. John the Evangelist Christ loved well  
The holly Scriptures often doth us tell,  
Let us like John our Saviour's Love engage,  
That we may never taste his Father's rage,  
But with St. John who did the rest excel  
Amongst the Saints for evermore may dwell.    

New-year's Day.  

MY Masters all good morning and good Cheer,  
And welcome to the first of the New year,  
Which is a preface to the cheerful Spring,  
When all things will be blithe and flourishing,  
The Earth will shortly deck herself a new,  
And sweetly flourishing her Primrose Hue,  
Lord with thy Spring of Grace our Souls so cheer,  
We there may feel the Fleece of a New year.   

GOd not so much delights in any place  
As in a Soul that's in a state of Grace,  
As in a Safer there the Lord doth sit  
And gives his presence to illustereth it,  
Not Horeb was so holy to the Lord  
As is a soul obedient to his word:  
As to his Temple there he doth retire  
And feels it with a non-consuming fire,  
Lord grant each Christians heart may be possessed  
With his glad presence every soul so blest.   

GOd not so much abhorreth any place  
As he doth a Soul that's not in a state of grace  
As Hell to him so loathsome is the sight  
And gives it over to the Prince of night,  
For into it the Lord will never enter  
Till it reputes on purpose to persever,  
Then he is ready, willing to embrace it  
And will return all favours lost to grace it.    

The Belmans Good Counsel,  

TRust no man, nor no gift refuse  
In Talk and Diet, Temperance use  
fools and their follies always shun  
And Quarrels, lest thou be undone:  
Hear all thou canst, if thou be wise  
And slip no opportunities.  
Confer with few, keep truth with all  
Contend neither with great nor small.  
Of costly diet sparing be,  
Interest to pay is bad for thee:  
Thy Land engage not, and beware  
Of Surety-ship, for that's a snare:  
Take no man's word, for many know  
Words are but wind and away they blow;  
Love those in whom thou seest good wits,  
For thou mayst learn of them by fits.  
In company be sociable  
For that is good and commendable.  
If humours pass the bounds of reason  
Break off, and choose some other season,  
Learn Tongues, converse with strangers, so  
Of Foreign parts thou mayst much know:  
Flatter no man though ne'er so great,  
Still keep good  and wear them neat.  
If possible keep out of debt,  
Light by thy credit never set,  
Study how by degrees to rise  
Refuse no kindness if you're wise.  
Thy secrets keep from one whose tongue  
Is for his mouth an inch too long.  
Offer not any one thing twice  
If once refused, is my advice.  
Take notice of men's dispositions  
Observe their good and bad Conditions,  
Let thy Expenses be but small,  
Thy carriage courteous unto all.  
Be circumspect and wary still  
Gluttons and Drunkards do not fill.   

THe Rich young gallant to himself doth say,  
O what a happy time do I enjoy,  
I want no Riches, I abound in Friends,  
Courted I am as all my Fame extends,  
I always feast on High and Curious Fare,  
Content I have without the least of Care,  
But one thing troubles and displeaseth me,  
By Death that one day we must parted be.   

BUt my young Gallant if from Heaven a voice  
Should speak to thee, and put thee to his choice,  
To live One Twenty of six hundred years  
Chained in a Jail with miseries and tears,  
And the rest in thy present happy State,  
Or else the first in pleasure without Debate,  
The Twenty years in Chains would I endure,  
To purchase the five hundred eighty sore.    

The Belmans' Advice.  

IF you desire your Houses to see,  
With Doors and Windows safe to be,  
And quiet sleep for to enjoy,  
Not fearing Fire that will destroy,  
Your Bellman saith the safest way  
Spare your sleep and fall to Pray  
That God may so preserve and keep  
Both you and yours may safely sleep.   

JOseph the Darling of Old Jacob's Heart,  
Went to seek his Brethren in a void Desert,  
But when he found them they did Churlish prove,  
And took away his Partial Coat of love,  
Sold him a Slave, then dipped in a Kids blood  
His Coat, because it should not be understood  
But some Beast had killed him, said Jacob you have  
Brought my Grey head with sorrow to the Grave.   

When Ahasuerus was the Persian King,  
Haman great troubles on the Jews did bring  
And sought to murder them all in one day  
Because that Mordecay would not obey,  
And honour him when he went through the Gate  
Of Ahasuerus in great Pomp and State,  
Therefore the Jews must die there is no hope,  
Yet Mordecay survived, Haman died by a Rope.   

BE mindful of your Servant who takes care  
That Thiefs by no means for you lay a snare,  
Nor can break open houses in the Night,  
For why the Bellman puts them to the flight,  
Through Storms and Frost at midnight still he goes  
To serve his Masters, Villains to oppose.   

IN this our Age Treason do much abound,  
And Traitors almost had beset us round,  
But by the Wisdom of our God above,  
Who is the Author and the Spring of love,  
The Popish Plotters he hath all confounded,  
And in their trenches they themselves are drowned and Snows   

THrough Winds or Rains, through bitter Frosts  
Behold my Masters all your Bellman goes,  
When 'tis so dark he can't his hand discern,  
Doth he not then his Money dearly yearn,  
And since to serve you all he is so free,  
I hope at Christmas you will Noble be.   

THou glorious God that Heaven and Earth hast made  
Grant us thy Servants thy protecting aid,  
That in this time of Danger we may find  
Our God is merciful though men unkind,  
And let not Plotters by Conspiracies,  
Destroy our Church so glorious in thine Eyes.   

THus to conclude till the next year I shall  
Pray for your happiness my Masters all,  
Desiring God to have you all in mind,  
And that your Servant may your Bounty find,  
I'll study how to please my Masters well,  
My Tongue shall ring your praise, and e'ke my Bell.     

Printed by Hen. Brugis. 1681.