THE CITIZENS REPLY To the Whores Petition, AND Prentices Answer.
NOw that you two have made your grievance known,
In the third place, pray let our cause be shown,
The Proverb says
give leosers leave to speak
And by that rule wee may a freedome take;
For why we suffer in our Reputation,
Such things should acted be in this our nation,
A City fame'd through
Europes Continent
To be the Prime for civil Government;
And that a Rout under
Prentices names
Should act such things as those unto our shames
VVe cannot but bewail, and henceforth shall
Strive to redress, and to prevent them all.
First you who think your selves ith wrong'd condition
And therefore take upon you to
Petition,
VVe do believe your Iosses to be great,
And don't approve of them that did the feat;
Yet let us tell you too, your vices were
Far greater then the loss fell to your share;
Your actions to such height of ill did bend
You
well might think that
ill would be the end.
You are the Citties
Pest-house, Suburbs
sinks,
And what proceeds from
sinks but nasty
stinks?
What can expected be from such as doe
Sin with delight, but misery and woe?
Complain not then, your selves may rather blame,
It was your impudence that caused the same,
Strive to get goods by what is lawful means,
And think not to grow rich by being
Queans;
"That never thrives which is artain'd by ill,
"A little evil got much consume will.
Forbear henceforth then to commit such facts
You see the consequence of such bad acts,
"Shame and confusion alwayes is the end,
"Of that which unto vice and sinne doth tend.
Then next to you who set the boys on work,
(Who litle thought such mischeif in't did lurke)
You who act mis heif in
Prentices names
Thinking upon them for to put the blames;
VVho by pretence of punishing of
Whores
Doe rob and steal from them their wealth and stores,
VVho knowes what mischeif might by this arose
VVhen faction did with insurrection close;
Sad might it prov'd if you had been cemented
'Dangers foreseen are easiest prevented
Tis good to crush the
Serpents in the Eggs,
Before such mischeif stands too firm on legs;
Some little dreaming harm may be drawn in
And fo be punisht for anothers sin,
They suffer may for all their harmless
Looks;
"VVhat has the
Daws to doe among the
Rooks;
Keep far from such then as doe move sedition,
"By giving Countenance you give Commission,
"It is encouragement to those uncivil
"For to look on and not correct their evil.
You raile on VVhores, tis true, they bad do live;
And yet your selves as bad example give.
VVill you in such contempt and rudeness stand
To seek to wrest the sword from
Justice hand?
VVhat can be thought of such a bold intrusion
But that it will bring all unto confusion.
Sad may we think will prove that fatall day
When a rude rout takes on them to bear sway.
Such actions must needs shipwrack on the shelves,
VVho'd punish
Theft and be strong
Thieves themselves,
Do you your selves in compass fair demean
Justice will punish them which is obscene,
Should Justice chance to wink, tis tumults curse
To punish Vice by that which is fat worse;
Tumults in time may to Rebellion come
Mischeifs doe after mischeifs swiftly run.
So to conclude, lets wish you to beware,
And in your actions have a better care,
Though some by fair delusions in would creep,
There's difference will be found t'wixt
Swine and
Sheeps
And those who seek by Boyes to make foul ends
May find the hangman prove their fastest friends,
Let insurrections have the
Tiburn swing,
VVe for our parts doe cry,
God save the KING.