Page:Jovial batchelor.pdf/2

 ( 2 ) The Jovial BATCHELOR.

My friends I would have you take my advice,

And leave of the practice of cards bowls & dice,

For thoſe wanton pleaſures will leſſen your treaſure,

And bring you to ruin perhaps in a trice.

Keep from thoſe wanton girls of the game,

They'll ruin your credit, and leſſen your fame,

By calling you honey for pieces of money,

Then leave you to languiſh in ſorrow and pain.

Then take my advice I would have you to wed,

and bring a good honeſt true girl to your bed,

With friends and a portion, to raiſe your promotion,

Then may you he merry and happily ſped.

He ſaid then what does it ſignify to have a wife,

For to be a clog and a plague to man's life,

There's ſcolding & fighting, whilſt we are delighting,

Ourſelves with our freedom whilſt you have this ſtrife.

Then who would be married if this be the caſe

To enſlave a brave ſoul to the charms of one face,

With their ill conditions and croſs diſpoſitions,

Whilft I have the choice of a ſcore to embrace.

And thus in my freedom do I mean to drink on,

As I in my frolick did thus begin,

There's Kate Sue & Nancy, can pleaſure my fancy,

I'll prattle with all but marry with none.

O there is nothing that does me annoy,

But ſhould The caught in Cupid's decoy,

The wife muſt be pleafed ; and I daily teazed,

Then farewel thoſe pleaſures which now I enjoy.

That very leſſon to have and to hold,

When e'er I think of it my heart waxeth cold,

I'm loath for to venture, into that indenture,

My freedom's far better than ſilver or gold.