THE Swaggering Man.

THE Swaggering Man.

British Library - Roxburghe, C.20.f.9.484; EBBA 31180

I AM a blade that hath no trade, Most people do adore me,
And I can hector, swagger, and lie, And drive a town before me.

I have a wife of wanton strife, She drives me to trapan, Sir,
I nothing say, but hike my way, There goes the Swaggering Man, Sir.

With my silk hose, and square toed shoes, I hector, swear, and swagger;
And every coxcomb that I meet, I push him with my dagger.

At cards and dice I am the man, I am the noted gamester;
I love my health, and cock my felt, There goes the Swaggering Man, Sir.

O then I go to the Royal Exchange, Where merchants they are walking;
All this seems something odd to me, They idly are talking;

But if a purse, or a gold watch, Come by the slight of hand, Sir,
I nothing say, but hike my way, There goes the swaggering Man, Sir.

From thence I to the tavern go, Where a waiter does attend me,
I call for liquor of the best, The ladies do commend me.

Behind the door there stands my score, The shot they do demand, Sir,
I nothing say, but hike my way, There goes the Swaggering Man, Sir.

From thence I go to Pater-noster-row, Where they deal in silk and sattin;
I pay for one and hike off three, All this is no false latin;

But if I am catchd, O then Im snatchd, And obliged to give an answer,
Im guilty found, and must come down, From being a Swaggering Man, Sir.

But now I have spent, all my means, Among those rakish fellows;
And am at last condemnd and cast, To hang upon yon gallows:

I sail to Tyburn in a cart, My body to advance, Sir,
The ladies cry as I pass by, Dont hang the Swaggering Man, Sir.

hanging

robbery, theft

Tyburn