I

Towre out ben morts & towre,[1]
Looke out ben morts & towre,
For all the Rome coues are budgd a beake,[2]
And the quire coves tippe the lowre.[3]

II

The quire coues are budgd to the bowsing ken,[4]
As Romely as a ball,[5]
But if we be spid we shall be clyd,[6]
And carried to the quirken hall.[7]

III

Out budgd the Coue of the ken,[8]
With a ben filtch in his quarr'me[9]
That did the prigg good that bingd in the kisome,[10]
To towre the Coue budge alar'me.

[1: look-out, good women;]
[2: all the Rome-coves [Notes] have run away [Notes]]
[3: Queer-coves taken the money]
[4: have sneaked to the ale-house]
[5: nimbly]
[6: whipped]
[7: taken to gaol.]
[8: crept; master of the house]
[:9 staff; hand.]