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What man will deny his wife tea,
as two pence will breakfast her twice.
When the best of the tea it is over,
there's a dish for the children or maid,
It is cheaper than milk; or small beer,
when to such fine ⟨ale⟩ it is made.
My husband he goes to an ale-house,
and soon drinks two quarts of strong beer,
With a pipe to his mouth like a lord,
says His wife has no buisness there.
He talks of the news of the nation,
carouses with merry good cheer:
Denies his wife tea which is cheaper,
than either good brandy or beer.
Tea and snuff is always my comfort,
and’s been all ths days of my life,
The man that denies his wife tea,
I wish him a sad drunken wife
There is some low-lif'd husbands says,
He must buy butter and bread,
But the women will have their tea,
when butter-milk husbands are dead.
THE ANSWER.
Now Bet I have heard thy petitions,
your praise in extolling of tea,
And if that you give no more reasons,
thou's ne'er get a verdict from me.
