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

 [ 3 ] But go to my couſin that lives at the mill, she had one I know, and may have it ſtull; Tell her I ſent you, ſhe'll lend it I know;' 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 which her huſband did wear. I do not deny but ſuch things there may be, ut 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, I am not miſtaken, I think ſhe has one And tell her, ſhe'll lend it I know for my fake, And I for the fame 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'm come for to borrow, if you will but lend large cuckold's cap, I was ſent by a friend. The Quaker's wife nodded, & ſaid with a frown, han't ſuch a thing if thou'd give me a crown; efides, 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, Chereſore excuſe me friend Joan, I thee pray. Now Joan being tired, and weary withal, ſays ſhe, I have no good fortune at all ; is the beginning, I think of all ſorrow, (row. b trudge up and down, and of neighbours to bor-