Spendthrift clapt into limbo, or, the rake reclaim'd/The Spendthrift Clapt into Limbo

The SPENDTHRIFT clapt into LIMBO.

I That once was great, now full little am grown,
a mimick of multum in Parvo;
I am buried alive in a cloiſter of ſtone,
ſome ſay it is what I deſerve O;
In what they have ſaid, there is ſomething of truth,
I have been a wild and extravagant youth,
Some hundreds I've ſpent upon Rachel and Ruth,
but now I am clapt into Limbo.

This ſong that I ſing is abſolute true,
then mark well my woeful confeſſion,
It is of myself, give the Devil his due,
for I hope it will make an impreſſion.
On the hard'ned hearts of all prodigal beaux,
Friends let me tell you now under the roſe,
Thoſe whom you have feaſted, will prove your worſt foes,
if e'er you are clapt into Limbo.

My Father and Mother it is very well known,
they left me abundance of riches,
But I was ſo wild and extravagant grown,
that daily I furniſh'd my breeches
With guineas, and then to the tavern I'd ſtray,
As fine as a fop or a fool at a play,
I thought in my heart it would never be day,
but now I am clapt into Limbo.

My Father he let me five hundred a-year,
my Mother ſhe left me her jointer,
And every acre from mortgage was clear,
but I was a bottle and pointer.

Still field after field to the market i ſent
My land I ſold off, and my money I ſpent,
My heart was ſo hard'ned it would not relent,
but now I am clapt into Limbo.

I uſed to vaunt as it I would fly,
and ſtrut like a crow in a gutter,
The people did cry when e'er I paſs'd by,
there goes Mr. Foppling Flutter;
Like top and top galant i hoiſted my ſaile,
With my fringed cravat; and wig with two tails,
But now I am ready to gnaw my own nails,
confined to a chamber in Limbo.

I uſed to hunt and ſport with my dogs,
I thought none ſo gallant as I was,
My doxies I bought ſhoes and fine leather cloge,
yet none ſo ſlighted as I was:
With hawks, hounds, whores, & fine ambling nags,
I revell'd about till i empty'd my bags,
My fine coat is turn'd to contemptible rags,
ſince I was clapt into Limbo.

I kept up a brace of as delicate jades,
as ever brought nine-pence to nothing,
My credit I've mortgag'd with several trades,
to keep them in meat, drink, and clothing,
The goldſmith for jewels, rich lockets and rings,
And others for laces and fine bridal-strings,
I pleaſur'd my doxies with fifty rare things,
for which I am got into Limbo.

But as I lay ſleeping one day in the ſtraw,
bewailing my woful condition,
Being ready with hunger my fingers to gnaw,
I ſigh'd and brought forth this expreſſion:
If I could but get the young whores to my hand,
To argue the caſe very long I'd not ſtand,

But grind the young bitches as ſmall as the ſand,
I'd teach them to leave me in Limbo.

I have an old uncle that lives in the Weſt,
who heard of my fatal diſaſter,
Poor ſoul, his heart was never at reſt,
his ſorrows came faſter and faſter,
He came to the priſon, to ſee my ſad caſe,
As ſoon as I ſaw him, I ſtraight knew his face,
I on him ſtood gazing, as one in amaze,
I wiſh'd myſelf then out of Limbo.

Said he, If I ſet you once more on your legs,
and put you in credit and faſhion,
Do you think you can leave off Bridget and Peg,
O how can you bridle your paſſion?
Believe me dear uncle, if ever they come,
To tempt me to ſin, as before they have done,
Adds-zooks, I'd ſoundly belabour their bums,
I'll teach them to leave me in Limbo.

He gave me a purſe of five hundred pcunds,
the which was told all up in guineas,
I returned him thanks, the ſame being done,
I went to fee Betty and Jenny;
I went in my rags, they knew not of my gold,
They turned me out in the rain and the cold,
You'd laugh to ſee how the bitches did fcold,
and clack'd at my lying in Limbo.

I drew out my bags of five hundred pounds,
and poured them all on the table,
This glittering ſight they no ſooner beheld,
but they began to ſniggle and giggle,
And fain would have been to ſit on my lap,
And in a laughing manner my cheeks they did clap,
But I thought in my heart I'd have no more of that
for 'twas that which brought me to Limbo.

As ſoon as they got a ſight of my gold,
my pockets they ſtraight fell a picking,
I beat them as long as my cane it would hold,
and then fell to cuſſing and kicking;
Some cry'd out murder, while others did ſcold,
But I was not able my hands for to hold,
I threſhed their bodies for the good of their ſouls,
I taught them to leave me in Limbo.

Come all ye young gallants, hear what I ſay,
I'd have you take warning by me, boys;
What little you've got, do not throw it away,
for fear you be ſerved as I was:
They'll kiſs you & bleſs you with many a fine tale,
And as ſoon as your money begins for to fail,
They will be the first that will clap you in jail,
take care that ye keep out of Limbo.