History & Politics

Roome for Cuckolds

by Anonymous (English broadside ballads) c. 1540–1700

From English Broadside Ballads (TCP)

History & Politics

You Cow-hearted Citizens, what is your Damn'd pretence,
To keep your selves within your Beds, and not Fight for your Prince;
Whose Majesty should you behold. your shames would breed your woe;
And then (like Fools) you will cry out,
Cuckolds all-a-Row.

Ther's some of you, whose Bishops Lands do so much clogg your heels,
That now you cannot sturr, where as else, you would Run on Wheels:
But yet I hope a time will come, when you shall be made know,
And told unto your faces, that you are
Cuckolds all-a row.

But yet for one most reverend Act, you are to be commended;
That through your Rams-head zeal you have your brother Rump befriended.
To set them in the Parliament house, their Wisdomes for to show;
But they (and you) are all a like
Cuckolds all-a-row.

Yet I advise you, set this Rump. in Salt, for fear of Stinking;
'Twill fall unto the Divels share, because 'tis his by drinking:
In spight of all their Acts, and Laws,
Hee'l carry them down below
Then Hell, and City, like to like,
Cuckolds all-a-row.

I doubt, your Lambert is undone, and now he may goe Preach;
For 'ts the English all a-moade, For every Rogue to Teach:
Hee'l Nose it bravely in a Tub, to let the City know
That they'l be Damn'd, unless they Dip,
Cuckolds all a-Row.

But where's your mighty Fleetwood now his Honour's worn to the Stump;
Hee'l serve Ambassador to Hell, to make way for the Rump.
And thus King-killers one by one will to the Devill go,
Upon the City Asses backs, like
Cuckolds all-a-row.

And now Cow-hearts, look to your Shops, the Red-coats will you fright,
And Plunder you, because they know your Horns hang in your light:
No matter, for You have been the cause of all the Kingdoms Wo,
And do deserve still to be call'd
Cuckolds all-a-row.

But if that you would honest grow, and doe a glorious thing;
Which is, to Rowse and take your Armes and Fight for Charles your KING:
Which Act your Credits will regain, and all the World shall know
That you no more shall, then be cal'd
Cuckolds all-a-Row.

✦ ✦ ✦

Full title: ROOME FOR CUCKOLDS: OR MY LORD LAMBERTS ENTRANCE INTO SODOME and GOMORAH. To the tune of, Is there no more cuckolds but I. TCP B05040 (1660).

MLA

Anonymous (English broadside ballads). “Roome for Cuckolds.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-english-broadsides/129/.

Chicago

Anonymous (English broadside ballads). “Roome for Cuckolds.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-english-broadsides/129/.

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