Old Verses by James
Mitchell.
The Selling the Poor.
All hearts of pity pray now lend an ear To a
relation that is written here Which I endeavour
here for to unfold Concerning of the poor that late
was sold,
Late in St. Keverne they agreed to take Part of
the Church a Vestry Room to make Which being
compleated straight they did repair to chase out
Pharoahs the poor's complaints to hear.
Whose hearts was like the Nether Milestone hard
From everything they asked they were debarred of
necessaries which they ought to have Which
oftentimes in tears of them they craved.
A great Tyrannus from Trevenveth came To join the
Vestry, Ivy was his name He had not long been there
among the core Before he did propose to sell the
poor,
Some made objections others did agree At length it
was carried by a majority Ivy count them over,
quickly with a pen Set down the names of Fourty
Labour Men,
Thus put to auction and like cattle sold As Amos
in his prophesy has told (chap 8. verse 6) Or like
goods taken in Distress for Rent Without reserve to
sell them they were bent.
The little Chimney Sweeper he was sold For just
two pence a day as we are told With brush and
scraper he around must strut To clean the chimneys
out of all their soot,
Thus the great Farmers that has gold in store To
do their slaveing work bought all the Poor And with
hard labour they must swet and pant While Wife and
Children lie at home in Want.
But stay awhile there will a Vestry come When all
men must appear to hear their doome Then these
great men who now the poor do sell Will then the
Almighty's Dreadful vengence feel.
Unless in time they do reprent and pray That God
may take their hardend sin away which may He grant
to all both Rich and Poor That we in Heaven may
Dwell to sin no more.
Going for twopence halfpenny, if no more bid a
penny more.
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