Page:Comical history of the collier's wedding.pdf/22

 22 Ducks, quack, flap wings, and homewards walk;

The labʻring peaſnt weary grown,

Embraces night, and trudges home.

The poſſet made, the bride is led,

In great proceſſion to her bed.

The females with an edict come,

That all the men depart the room

On pain and ſcandal and diſgrace,

If any one ſtay in the place;

Their proclamation is obey'd,

The men walk out till ſhe be laid;

But with this cautious reprimand,

The poſſet ſhould get leave to ſtand;

Be unmoleſted feel no lip,

Nor any one attempt to ſip;

They all declare they'll be accurſt,

If bride and bridegroom drink not firſt

When young and old, and all are out,

They ſhut the doors, and ſpy about;

A general ſearch is quickly made,

Left any lie in ambuſcade;

So when they think all places ſure,

And holes and corners all ſecure,

That none cou'd ſee, nor none cou'd hear.

Nor none ruſh in to make them fear,

Then one, far wiſer than the reſt,

Who knew the way of bedding beſt,

Steps up to Jenny bath'd in tears,

And thus with council fills her cares;

Come, wipe your face for ſhame don't cry,

We all were made with men to lie;