Page:Merry piper, or, The popish fryar & boy.pdf/3

 She look'd on her young son-in-law,
 * with such an evil eye.

That if he any thing had done,
 * straight in his face she'd fly.

Tho' he submitted to her will,
 * in hopes her love to gain,

Yet she did still the tyrant play,
 * his labour was in vain.

The step mother she hated him,
 * and so malicious grew,

That sure I am she was a limb,
 * of the internal crew

Brown bread and four beer, God wot,
 * she did for him prepare,

While she had geese and capons hot,
 * with other dainty fare:

Nay, tho' his meat and drink was poor,
 * he had not half enough,

Yet if he seem'd to crave for more,
 * his ears she straight would cuff.

His father lov'd him passing well,
 * as of a truth I know;

And yet, good man, he could not tell,
 * what way to tame a shrew.

A weary life her husband led,
 * about his son, for why?

Each night when he did come to bed,
 * this was her constant cry,

O put this wicked boy away,
 * let him be firmly tied

To some hard master, that he may,
 * be sure to thrash his hide:

At home, said she, he will be spoil'd,
 * with pleasure and delight

And thus against him she revil'd,
 * both morning, noon, and night.

The tender father thus did lay,
 * my childs too young as yet,