Page:Beds of roses (2).pdf/6

 I'll go home to my wife & children who are poor,

I us'd to abuse her, and call her a whore;

The more I said to her, the more she did cry,

O what a silly drunkard and blockhead was I.

But if I had been rul'd by my wife at the first,

I might have had silver and gold in my purse,

For to maintain my wife and children so small,

But I prov'd a drunkard and ruin'd them all.

But now I'll refrain, it's high time to amend,

My money I'll save it will be my best friend,

But to speak of the alcale [sic]-wives, how oft I them fed,

Whilst my children & wife were starving for bread.

ComcCome [sic] now all ye drunkards take warning by me,

Your folly in time I would have you to see,

And all in your youth have your time to begin,

Pray think on yourselves, let the landladies spin.





N city, town, & village, my fancy oft has mov'd,

A Phillis and a Chloe, I ev'ry where have lov'd,

But, tired with variety, to marriage I'm inclin'd,

Would fortune only grant me a partner to my mind.

Then I'd go no more a roving,

But constant as the dove,

My time I'd pass with such a lass,

In harmony and love.

Then I'd go no more a roving,

I care not for Complexion, be she black, brown or fair,

If she has but discretion, and meaning in her air,

Her shape I'd have graceful, to pride & folly blind,

To mind the one thing needful, to cultivate the mind.

Then I'd go no more a roving, &c.

An animated form, where sense & sweetness move,

And innocence refining the tenderness of love:

From scolding, & from scandal, I'd have her tongue be free,

And always neat and clean keep herself and family,

Then I'd go no more a roving, &c.