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A PENNY-WORTH OF WIT.
PART I.
HERE is a penny worth of wit,
for those that ever went astray;
If warning they will take by it,
'twil do them good another day.
It is a touchstone of true love,
betwixt a Harlot and a Wife
The former doth destruction prove,
the latter yields the joys of life.
As in this book you may behold,
set forth by famous William Lane;
A Wealthy Merchant brave and bold,
Who did a Harlot long maintain.
Although a virtuous Wife he had,
likewise a youthful daughter dear
Which might have made his heart full glad
yet seldom would be them come near.
The treasure which he traded for,
on the tempestuous ocean W(illegible text)
His Harlot had, he brought it her,
but nothing to his virtuous Bride.
The finest silks that could be bought,
nay, jewels, rubies, diamonds, rings,
He to his wanton Horlot brought,
with many other costly things.
She still receiv'd him with a smile,
when he came from the raging seas,
And said with words as smooth as oil
my dearest come and take thy ease,
To thy soft bed of linen fine,
thou art welcome love said she,
Both I and all that e'er was mine,
shall still at thy devotion be.
He brought two hundred pounds of gold,
and after that two hundred more,
