O THAT I NEVER HAD BEEN MARRIED
I am a batchelor just in my prime
who had a good mind to get married,
It happened once on a Saturday's night,
When late in the ale-house tarried;
And as coming home I heard a great noise,
I stood to listen what it was
A woman cries out O is there no laws!
O that I cannot be unmarried.
You rogue, I brought you a portion you know,
and for this to be served by a villian,
You work all the weck, and on Saturday's night,
brings me nothing home but a shilling,
A shilling I have three children to feed
which is not enough to find them in bread,
She up wish the piss-pot and threw at his head,
saying, that I ne'er had been married
She sat herself down for to rest her a while,
and thus she began for to prattle,
A lecture she gave him again I declare,
which made his poor head for to rattle.
Begone to your whores, I solemnly swear,