Page:History of the Haverel wives, or, The folly of witless women displayed (3).pdf/23

 Janet Clinker's Oration.          23

alſo bed-ridden, this rots their children in the brewing, and buries them in the bringing up; yea ſome mothers are ſo beaſtly, as to water the bed and blame the child therefore; yet ſuch lazy wives live long, and their children ſoon die; their far fetched feigned ſickneſs, ſoon render the huſband to the ſubſtance of one ſixpence, he becomes poor and hen-peck't under ſuch petticoat government. But when I Janet was a Janet, and had the judgement of my own houſe, my huſband was thrice happy, I never held him down, he was above me day and night, I ſat late and raiſe early, kept a fu' houſe and rough back, when ſummer came we minded winter's cauld, we had peace ay at porich-time, and harmony through the day; we ſupp'd our ſowens at ſupper-time with a ſeaſonable heat, and went to bed good bairns, kend naething but ſtark Love and kindneſs, we wrought for riches, and our ages and earthly ſtores increaſed alike, we hated pride and loved peace, he died with a good name, I let you ken I live, but not as many do, not ſo lordly of my brain as ſome are of their belly! and was not my life ſtrange by that now practiſed? Come help ourſelves you hillokat livers and avoid it. Now after a', if a poor man want a perfect wife, let him wale a weel blooded hiſſie, wi' braid ſhouders an thick about the haunches, that has been lang ſervant in ae houſe, tho' twice or thrice awa' and ay ſied back, that's weel liked by the bairns and the bairn's mither.