Page:Pocock's Everlasting Songster.djvu/122



T was in village near Castlebury,
 * A cobler and his wife did dwell,

And for a time no two so merry,
 * Their happiness no tongue could tell:

But to this couple the neighbours tell us,
 * Did something happen which caused strife,

For going to a neigbouring alehouse,
 * The man got drunk and beat his wife.

Although he treated her so vilely,
 * What did his wife, poor creature do;

Kept snug and found a method slily,
 * To ring his heart quite through and through:

For Dick, the tapster and his master,
 * Both perceiving of the strife,

Were both in hopes by this disaster,
 * To gain the cobler's pretty wife.

While all things went to wreck and ruin,
 * And all the furniture was sold;

She seem'd to approve of what was doing,
 * And got from each a purse of gold.

So now the cobler's cares are over,
 * He vows to lead an alter'd life,

To mind his work not to be a rover,
 * And love no other but his wife.

BE