PART I.
Here is a pennyworth of wit
for thoſe that ever went aſtray,
If warning they will take by me,
'twill do them good another day.
It is a touch-ſtone of true-love,
betwixt a harlot and a wife;
The former doth deſtructive prove,
the latter yields the joys of life,
As in this book you may behold,
ſet forth by William Lane,
A wealthy merchant brave and bold,
who did a harlot long maintain,
Altho' a virtuous wife he had,
likewiſe a youthful daughter dear,
Which might have made his heart full glad
yet he ſeldom would them come near.
The treaſure which he traded for,
on the tempeſtuous ocean wide,
His harlot had, he brought it her,
but nothing to his virtuous wife:
The fineſt ſilks that could be bought,
nay, jewels, rubies, diamonds, rings,
He to his wanton harlot brought,
with many other coſtly things.
