Page:Buxom dame of Reading, or, The cuckold's cap (2).pdf/3

(3) But go to my couſin that lives at the mill,

She had one I know and may have it ſtill;

Tell her I ſent you, ſhe'll lend it I know,

I thank you, ſaid Joan, and away ſhe did go.

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 that her huſband did wear.

I do not deny but ſuch things there may be,

But why ſhould my couſin direct you to me?

Theſe nineteen or twenty years I have been wed,

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

But go to the Quaker that lives by 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 ſhall 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 natures cannot well ſay,

Therefore excuſe me friend Joan, I thee pray.

Now Joan being tired, and weary withal,

Says ſhe, I have had 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.