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An Highwayman's History of his own Time
My original parents
Were certainly sinners,
And, tho’ I say’t, that shou’dn't say’t,
Early beginners.
My old Grandmother Eve
Was so ’dicted to evil,
That if you’ll believe some folks,
She lay with the Devil.
And my more modern ancestors,
Following the example,
Ha’ been guilty of rogueries,
Open and ample.
Then as to myself,
I was rogue boy and man,
Never took a right step,
And believe never can.
I shone in ’Change-Alley,
And five times I broke,
Always cheated when silent,
And ly’d when I spoke.
I bought Bull and Bears,
And drove a vast trade,
What I got, never sav’d,
What I lost, never paid.
When I broke, I made up
At six-pence a pound,
Till at last I was lost,
And have never been found.
Then I took the highway,
And borrow’d some pelf;
For, to tell you the truth,
I began like myself.
I robb’d like a hero,
Without sword or gun;
I gain’d when I stood,
And I ’scap’d when I run.
I was merciful, generous,
Cautious, yet kind,
When it wou’dn’t come easy,
I left it behind.
For I gave ’em good words,
And took what they gave me,
And all men bore witness,
How well I behav’d me.
Full twenty long year
I follow’d the trade,
Never murder’d a man,
Or made woman afraid.
But at last my good luck
Unkindly forsook me,
The country came in,
And the Hue and Cry took me.
Now they say at the gallows,
As the mob I harangu’d,
There’s the honestest highwayman
Ever was hang’d.
So with good reputation
I bid you good-b’w’y’e,
May you hang me again,
If I tell you a lye.
[The Weekly Journal; or, The British Gazetteer, 28 September 1728]
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