Page:Six excellent songs (1).pdf/5

5 For to an old miser he wedded me.

His age it was three-score and three,

And I myself about seventeen,—

I wish his face I ne’er had seen.

For when that I abroad do go,

To meet a friend, to chat, or so;

If any man should salute me,

It more increases his jealousy.

A youthful squire did drink to me,

I pledg’d with him my modesty;

Thought it no harm, yet ne’ertheless.

My husband did my shoulders dress.

And when that we do go to bed,

To reap the joys for which we wed;

He does so kick and pinch me too,

That he my limbs leaves black and blue.

Next morning when that I arose,

I straight in haste put on my clothes.

And as he lay asleep in bed,

I with a ladle broke his head.

He took a stick and at me run,

I took another—so begun,

And round the room did beat him well.

Until upon his knees he fell