Page:Merry piper, or, The popish fryar & boy.pdf/2



OU that in pleasant tales delight,
 * to pass the time away,

Each long and tedious winter's night,
 * read on this book I pray.

The fancies which in this you'll find,
 * will make you laugh your fill,

They'll cure a melancholy Mind,
 * beyond a Doctor's skill.

A cup af nut-brown nappy ale,
 * by a good fire side,

Attended with a merry tale,
 * is good at New-year's tide:

And likewise all winter long,
 * when friends together meet,

For why, a tale, or merry long,
 * surpasses music sweet.

Now such a one, my friends, is this
 * delightful merry tract,

It will make you laugh I wist,
 * untill your sides do crack

An honest Squire in Huntingdonshire,
 * three wives he did enjoy;

Now, by the first it doth appear,
 * he had a pretty boy.

With rosy checks and curled hair,
 * his eye brows something sad;

Now if I may the truth declare,
 * he was a witty lad.

His tender mother being dead,
 * it griev'd the father sore,

For he a shrew at length did wed,
 * who did like thunder roar.