Page:Hodge of the mill, or, An old woman clothed in grey (1).pdf/5

( 5 ) For he that doth look,

In the marry'd man’s book,

And reads but the items all over

Shall find them to come,

At length to a sum,

Shall empty purse, pocket, and coffer.

In the pastimes of love,

When their labours do prove,

And the kitchen beginneth to kick ;

For this and for that

And I know not for what,

The woman must have, or be sick,

There's items set down

For a loose-body gown,

in her longing you must not deceive her :

For a bodkin, a ring,

And the other fine thing,

For a cornet and lace to a beaver.

Deliver’d and well,

Who is it can tell?

But while the child’s at the nipple,

There’s item for wine,

’Mongst gossips so fine,

And sugar to sweeten the tipple.

I here’s item, I hope

For starch and for soap,

There's item for fire and for candle ;

For better, for worse,

There’s item for nurse,

by to dress and to dandle.