What's he that if he chance to hear
A little piece of COMMON PRAYER,
Doth think his conscience wounded;
Will go five miles to preach and pray,
And meet a sister by the way?
Oh! such a rogue's a Roundhead.

What's he that met a holy sister
And in a haycock gently kiss'd her?
Oh! then his zeal abounded:
'Twas underneath a shady willow,
Her Bible served her for a pillow,
And there he got a Roundhead.



Ballad: Prattle Your Pleasure Under The Rose



From the King's Pamphlets, British Museum.


There is an old proverb which all the world knows,
Anything may be spoke, if 't be under the rose:
Then now let us speak, whilst we are in the hint,
Of the state of the land, and th' enormities in't.

Under the rose be it spoke, there is a number of knaves,