Page:Mother Bunch's closet newly broke open (1).pdf/20

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Mother Bunch's Closet

care that you do not enter into wedlock upon those days. Now, for your better instruction, I'll tell you which they be.

In January, there are four; the 7th, 16th, 17th, and 18th.
February hath two; the 5th, and 10th.
March hath three; the 9th, 10th, and 21st.
April hath two; the 6th and 7th.
May hath two; the 4th and 18th.
June hath three; the 7th, the 9th, and 10th.
July hath two; the 9th and 17th.
August hath two; the 11th and 15th.
September hath three; the 2d, the 3d, and 4th.
October hath three; the 4th, the 14th, and 15th.
November hath two; the 5th and 24th.
December hath three; the 6th, the 7th, and 9th.

Observe my rules for all these days,
And then you will your fortune raise.

This said, Old Mother Bunch presented them with a cup of her fine cordial water, and so dismissed them; and the young damsels, with rapturous hearts, returned her their hearty thanks.

After Mother Bunch had done dinner, the young men came, to wit, Tom the miller, Ralph the thatcher, and Robin the ploughman, with a great number of other trades and callings, all whom Mother Bunch invited to sit down, that she might deliver her wholesome counsels to them.

And first she begins with Tom the miller, saying, Ah, Tom! thou art a sad wild young fellow; there is not a maid that can come to the mill, but thou will be fooling with them, giving the poor lasses sly bobs under their aprons; but take my word for it, if you do not leave off in time, you will certainly spoil all your fortune: What woman do you think, having a portion, will have such a one? She may justly