leſs than an hour two lovely fine babes
were born, to couple the others, 'tis ſaid.
when the lying-in women were put into bed,
the houſe-keeper then began to grow bad;
to the place for the midwife ſhe ſent,
Madam, to tell you the truth I am bent.
Indeed I am in labour as well as the reſt,
Thy ſhould I deny it, it is not a jeſt;
gueſts in a hurry went up ſtairs again;
And put the woman out of her pain.
midwife ſaid, I hope I have done,
And heartily with you much joy of your ſon;
things being-ended with miſtreſs and maids,
gentleman went to the lady and ſaid.
My dear I wiſh you much joy of your ſon;
was the beſt night’s work that ever was done;
that anſwer me one thing if you can,
Were all theſe fine babes got by one man?
And me who did this maſculine thing;
we’ll keep him to get ſoldiers for the king;
The bluſhing to him no anſwer did make,
While the lord ſcratch’d the horns on his pate.
He gave her a kiſs ſaying be of good cheer;
the joke’s ſake I’ll pardon my dear,
you was to blame in ſerving me ſo;
She ſaid why did you away from me go.
There was candle above ſtairs and candle below
When the gentry to viſit the lady did go:
