The mad man's morice; or, A warning for young-men to have a care, how they in love intangled are: wherein by experience you shall find, his trouble and grief with discontent of mind. To a pleasant new tune.

The Mad Man's Morice ; or , A warning for young-men to have a care , How they in Love intangled are : Wherein by experience you shall find , His trouble and grief with discontent of mind . To a pleasant new Tune .

HEard you not lately of a Man , that went besides his Wits , And naked through the Streets he ran , wrapt in his frantick fits ? My honest Neighbours , it is I , hark how the People flout me , Sée where the mad man comes they cry , with all the Boys about me , Into a Pond stack naked I ran , and cast away my Cloaths Sir , Without the help of any man , made shift to get away Sir , How I got out I have forgot , I do not well remember , Or whether it was cold or hot , in June or in December . Tom Bedlam's but a sage to me , I speak in sober sadness , For more strange visions do I see , then he in all his madness ; When first to me this chance befel , about the Market walkt I , With Capons feathers in my Cap , and to my self thus talkt I : Did you not see my Love of late , like Titan in her glory ? Did you not know she was my mate , and I must write her story ? With Pen of Gold on Silver Leaf , I will so much befriend her , For why I am of that belief , none can so well commend her . Saw you not Angels in her eyes , whilst that she was a speaking ? Smelt you not smells like Paradise , between two rubies breaking , Is not her hair more pure then gold , of finest Spiders spinning : Methinks in her I do behold , my joys and woes beginning . Is not a dimple in her Cheek each eye a star that 's starting Is not all graces instal'd in her , each step all joys imparting : Methinks I see her in a cloud , with graces round about her ; To them I call and cry aloud , I cannot live without her . Then raging towards the sky I rove thinking to catch her hand , O then to Iove I call and cry , to let her by me stand ; I look behind and there I saw my shaddow me beguile , I wish she were as near to me , which makes my Worship smile . There is no creature can compare , with my beloved Nancy , Thus I built Castles in the Air , this is the fruit of fancy : My thoughts mount high above the sky , of none I stand in awe , Although my body here doth lye , upon a Pad of Straw . I was as good a harmless youth , before base Cupid caught me ; Or his own Mother with her charms into this case hath brought me : Stript and whipt now must I be , in Bedlam bound in chains Good People now you all may see what love hath for his pains . When I was young as others are , with Gallants did I flourish , O then I was the properest Lad , that was in all the Parish : The Bracelet which I us'd to wear , about my arms so tender , Are turned into iron plates about my body slender . My silken suits do now decay my cups of gold are vanished : And all my friends do wear away , as I from them were banished : My silver cups are turn'd to earth i 'm jeer'd of every Clown : I was a better man by birth , till fortune cast me down . I am out of frame and temper too , though I am somewhat chearful , O this can love and fancy do , if that you be not careful : O set a Watch before your eyes , least they betray your heart : And make you slaves to vanities , to act a mad mans part . Declare this to each Mothers Son unto each honest Lad : Let them not do as I have done , lest they like me grow mad : If Cupid strike , be sure of this , let reason rule affection , So shall thou never do amiss , by reasons good direction . I have no more to say to you , my keepers now doth chide me , Now must I bid you all adieu , God knows what will betide me ; To picking straws now must I go , my time in Bedlam spending , Good folks you your beginning know , but do not know your ending .