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Who power hath to take them off,
or fix them on again.
Come tell me what the last most be,
my boy and pretty bird,
For sure the number most be three,
according to my word
The lad he made him this reply,
all cuckolds far and near;
When they my merry pipe draw nigh,
let them with horns appear;
Whenever they are dancing led
in strange and various forms,
I wish to graft upon each head
a lusty pair of horns;
That I hereby may cuckolds, know
from other honest men,
The hermit cry'd, it shall be so,
thou hast three wishes then,
Go on and prosper with them all,
right happy shalt thou be,
For there is none alive that shall
enjoy such charms but thee,
I thank you father for your love,
I have my hearts desire;
And make no question but to prove
Vexations to the Friar.
My stepmother I'll not excuse.
the proctors nor their clerks,
Nor any that shall me abuse,
I'll frolick with the sparks,
Your kindness let me gratify,
here take this good old groat;
And till the very day I die,
you shall be in my thought.
He took the groat and then reply'd,
this does much comfort yield,
You're welcome father, Jack he cry'd,
and so he trudg'd the field.
