The Miser :: :: University of Virginia Library

The Miser

written by the Author of The Old Man's Wish [i.e. Walter Pope], and set to Music by Mr. Michael Wise

Pope, Walter

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The Miser;

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The following poem is scored for music in the source text. Where poems are not stanzaic, no attempt has been made to recreate the metrical lines. Variations for different voices have been ignored. Repetition marks have been ignored.

The Miser;

written by the Author of The Old Man's Wish, and set to Music by Mr. Michael Wise.

What ayles the old Fool?

What ayles the old Fool? Why dost thou not drink, and eat of the best, and welcom thy Friend, at this time of day so near to thine end? Why dost thou not make the best use of thy Chink? Let that Bag of Guinneys be sent to the Poor, to thy Neece of Fifteeen give two or three more, to buy her a Husband, for fear she turn Whore. For when once the Physician

has given thee o're, thy Heir will come leaping in at the Door. And rifle thy Coffers, and greedily seize on thy Bills and thy Bonds, on thy Bags and thy Keys. And think that he richly deserves all thy Gold, if he laugh not outright before thou art cold. And the Youth that appear'd so demure, and so civil, what thou go'st to Hell for, he'l spend at the Devil.