Page:Buxom dame of Reading, or, The cuckold's cap (1).pdf/3

(3) Then straight to the house of the miller she went,

And told her that she by her cousin was sent,

To borrow a thing that was absolute rare,

A large cuckold’s cap which her husband did wear.

I do not deny but such things there may be,

Eut why should my cousin direct you to me!

These nineteen or twenty years I have been wed,

my husband had ne’er such a cap on his head.

But go to the Quaker that lives at the Swan,

If I am not mistaken, I think she has one,

And tell her, she’ll lend it I know for my sake,

And I for the same a great favour will take.

So she went to the house of old Yea and Nay,

And spoke to his wife that was youthful and gay;

Saying, I come for to borrow, if you will but lend

A large cuckold’s cap, I was sent by a friend.

The Quaker's wife nodded, and said with a frown,

I han’t such a thing if thou’d give me a crown;

Besides, I’d not lend it, suppose that I had,

For fear it should make my poor husband run mad.

In town there are many young women, perhaps

Are cunning and artful in making such caps;

But what are their nature, I cannot well say,

Therefore escuse me friend Joan, I thee pray.

Now Joan being tired, and weary withal,

Says she, I have no good fortune at all;

It is the beginning, I think of all sorrow,

To trudge up and down, and of neighbours to borrow.

A poor cuckold's cap, I would borrow indeed,

A thing of small value, but yet could not speed;

But as I’m a woman, adzooks, cries young Joan,

Before it be long, I’ll have one of my own.

you credit a Miser, ’tis gold makes us wise,

The bliss of his life, the joy of his eyes;