Alexander Brome: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

Lilly contemn'd

Alexander Brome

“Lilly contemn'd” as printed in Rump Songs (1662).

Alexander Brome: Collected Lyrics Text 22 1662 · historical text
Public domainPolitical songHistorical song
Complete public-domain lyrics

This text comes from Rump Songs, a historical songbook transcribed on Wikisource and reproduced from the pinned revision linked below.

Verse 1

Why art thou sad? Our Glasses flow

Like little Rivers to the Mayne;

And ne’re a man here has a Shrew,

What need’st thou then complain?

Then Boys mind your Glass,

And let all News pass

That treats not of this our Canary,

Let Lawyers fear their Fate,

In the turn of the State,

We suffer if this do miscarry,

Chor. ’Tis this will preserve us ’gainst Lillies predictions.

And make us contemn our Fate and his Fictions.

Verse 2

’Tis this that setts the City Ruff;

And lynes the Aldermen with Fur;

It makes the Watchmen stiff and tuff

To call, where go you Sir?

’Tis this doth advance

The Cap of Maintenance,

And keeps the Sword sleeping or waking;

It Courage doth raise

In such Men now adaies,

That heretofore cry’d at Head-aching,

Chor. ’Tis this doth infuse in a Miser some pity,

And is the Genius, and Soul of the City.

Verse 3

Then why should we dispair, or think

The Enemy approacheth near?

Let such as never used to drink

Sack, be enslav’d to Fear.

Then to get Honor,

And that waits on her,

Strange Titles, Illustrious and Mighty.

Wee’l have a smart Bout

Shall speak us men and stout,

And I’le be the first that shall fight ye.

Chor. He that stifly can stand to’t, and hath the best Braine;

Shall be styl’d Son of Mars and God of the Mayne.

Credits

Written by Alexander Brome

Words by Alexander Brome. Historical text published in Rump Songs (1662); public domain. No claim to a modern recording or arrangement.

Source & text edition

Rump Songs (1662), “Lilly contemn'd”

This 1662 collection (Rump: or an Exact Collection of the Choycest Poems and Songs Relating to the Late Times, 1639-1661) is credited to Alexander Brome (died 1666); every contributor died more than 330 years ago, so the text is in the public domain worldwide, and the edition carries a Wikisource PD-old determination.

How to read this historical text and its source

Read the source on Wikisource

View copyright evidence · Transcription terms (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Retrieved 2026-10-26. Line spacing and section labels are adapted for reading. The displayed text follows the linked edition. Editorial notes and abstract artwork are by 52lyrics.
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