Page:Bess the gawkie, or, Jamie slighted (1).pdf/7

 It's said, that tea makes butter dear,

but certainly that is not true

For as that you state your expenses,

there's none of it eaten by you.

You count but for sugar and tea,

then where is the butter and bread,

I judge you take something before it,

or there is no teeth in your head!

Or dost thou like fish live on water?

the costliest living I call;

On gin, rum, or good hot brandy,

I judge thou’rt a tipler of all.

Then says that thy husband loves beer,

tobacco, and nappy brown ale;

When thou lives on nothing but tea,

and that of a penny each meal.

O happy’s the man that hath got thee,

if thou earns but fourpence a day,

Then sixpence a week I’ll allow thee,

to clothe thee in comely array.

As thou lives on nought but sweet water,

to be sure a sweet wife thou must be,

But if ever I wed for the better,

it’s ne’er be a lover of tea.

As at it they learn the poor fashion,

cups reading, to clash and to lie,

And tell how Jack our of passion,

he never gives comfort to me.