Fugitive Poetry. 1600–1878/The Fine Old English Gentleman

The Fine Old English Gentleman.

This song is modelled upon the excellent ballad of "The Old and Young Courtier."

I'll sing you a good old song, Made by a good old pate,Of a fine old English gentleman Who had an old estate,And who kept up his old mansion At a bountiful old rate;With a good old porter to relieve The old poor at his gate.Like a fine old English gentleman, All of the olden time.

His hall so old was hung around, With pikes, and guns, and bows,And swords, and good old bucklers That had stood against old foes;'Twas there "his worship" sat in state, In doublet and trunk hose,And quaffed his cup of good old sack, To warm his good old nose.         Like a fine, &c.

When winter's cold brought frost and snow, He opened house to all;And though threescore and ten his years, He featly led the ball;Nor was the houseless wanderer E'er driven from his hall;For while he feasted all the great, He ne'er forgot the small.         Like a fine, &c.

But time, though sweet, is strong in flight, And years roll swiftly by;And autumn's falling leaves proclaimed The old man—he must die!He laid him down right tranquilly, Gave up his latest sigh;And mournful stillness reigned around, And tears bedewed each eye.         For this good, &c.

Now surely this is better far Than all the new paradeOf theatres and fancy balls, "At home" and masquerade;And much more economical, For all his bills were paid;Then leave your new vagaries quite, And take up the old trade   Of a fine old English gentleman, &c.