The tradesman's complaint upon the hardness of the times, deadness of trade, and scarcity of money. Wherein he sighs and makes great moan, how trading is (almost) fled and gone: he intreats all men in each degree, for help in this his want and misery. To the tune of, In summer time, &c. Or, Phancies phoenix.

The Tradesman's Complaint Upon the Hardness of the Times , Deadness of Trade , and scarcity of Money . Wherein he sighs and makes great moan , How trading is ( almost ) fled and gone : He intreats all men in each degree , For help in this his want and misery . To the Tune of , In Summer time , &c. Or , Phancies Phoenix .

OH where are now these golden times . When gold was counted needless things ? None loved his Neighbour for a self end , But once and always stood his friend : But now through want times altered are , Each in himself a man of War : Trading being dead and Money scant , Is the subject of this sad Complaint . The time has been , that in this Land , A mans word was as good as his Band : The time is now as you may see , New Faith hath kill'd Old Honesty : There is so much hatred one to 'th other , That there is none that loves his brother : Oh all good Men of each degrée , Learn to live in Love and Unity . The time has been in this City round , A man might in a morning take a pound : The time is now , though in 's shop he stay , Yet scarce takes twelve pence all the day : Tradings so dead , and money scant , Is subject of this sad complaint : Oh all good men of each degree , Redress our Countries misery . The times have been , what tradesmen gaind , Hath decently their Charge maintain'd ; The time is now through trades decay , In street they beg , oh welladay ! Trading is so dead , and money scant , Is subject of this sad Complaint : Oh all good men of each degree , Help to redress our misery .

The time has béen éach Rich Mans door , Was seldom shut against the poor ; The time is now , some wives go fine , They care not though the begger pine : Trading being dead makes times so hard , Poor people cry without regard : Oh all good men of each degree , Help to regard our misery . In elder times it was indeed , The Rich would help the poor mans need : The time is now , so themselves be serv'd , They care not if poor people be starv'd : Trading being dead , makes times so hard , The Rich the Poor do not regard : Oh all good men of each degree , Help to redress our misery . For dearth of trade all men complain , How can poor men their Charge maintain ? Hardness of times mākes many rue , How can we give Ceasar his due : Money 's so scant through trades decay , Which makes poor tradesmen sigh and say ; Oh all good men of each degree , Help to release our misery . The Courtier he complains for gold ; To whom the tradesmen wares hath sold , And having run so on his score , He 's forced alas to shut up door : times being so hard through trades decay , It makes poor tradesmen sign and say ; Oh all good Men of each degree , Help us in our necessity . The poor Country Man he doth complain , Of the loss of his Cattle and Grain , Rents being so dear , and Money scant , Makes him mourn forth this sad complaint : Which makes him sigh and make great moan , Whose grief would melt a heart of stone : Oh all good men of each degree , Help , help , us in our poverty . That trade may flourish here again , That plenty may amongst us raign , That great mens charity may show , And pay poor men what they do owe : It is my prayer , and let all men , To this Petition , say , Amen : Oh all good men of each degree , Learn to live in Love and Unity .