New ton_, of good stale beer:
There did we _Trundle_[3] down health, after health,
(Which oftentimes impairs both health and wealth.)
Till everyone had filled his mortal trunk,
And only _No-body_[3] was three parts drunk.
The morrow next, Wednesday Saint _Swithin's_ day,
From ancient _Islington_ I took my way.
At _Holywell_ I was enforced carouse,
Ale high, and mighty, at the Blindman's House.
But there's a help to make amends for all,
That though the ale be great, the pots be small.
At _Highgate_ Hill to a strange house I went,
And saw the people were to eating bent,
In either borrowed, craved, asked, begged, or bought,
But most laborious with my teeth I wrought.
I did not this, 'cause meat or drink was scant,
But I did practise thus before my want;
Like to a Tilter that would win the prize,
Before the day he'll often exercise.
So I began to put in use, at first
These principles 'gainst hunger, 'gainst thirst.
Close to the Gate,[4] there dwelt a worthy man,
That well could take his whiff, and quaff his can,
Right Robin Good-fellow, but humours evil,
Do call him _Robin Pluto_, or the devil.
But finding him a devil, freely hearted,
With friendly farewells I took leave and parted,
And as alongst I did my journey take,
I drank at _Broom's well_, for pure fashion's sake,
Two miles I travelled then without a bait,
The Saracen's Head at _Whetstone_ entering straight,
I found an host, that might lead an host of men,
Exceeding fat, yet named _Lean_, and _Fen_.[5]
And though we make small reckoning of him here,
He's known to be a very great man there.
There I took leave of all my company,
Bade all farewell, yet spake to _No-body_.
Good reader think not strange, what I compile,
For _No-body_ was with me all this while.
And _No-body_ did drink, and, wink, and scink,
And on occasion freely spent his chink.
If anyone desire to know the man,
Walk, stumble, _Trundle_, but in _Barbican_.
There's as good beer and ale as ever twang'd,
And in that street kind _No-body_[6] is hanged.
But leaving him unto his matchless fame,
I to St. _Albans_ in the evening came,
Where Master _Taylor_, at the Saracen's Head,
Unasked (unpaid for) me both lodged and fed.
The tapsters, hostlers, chamberlains, and all,
Saved me a labour, that I need not call,
The jugs were filled and filled, the c