The merry Old Woman:
OR,
This is a good Old Woman,
This is a merry Old Woman,
Her counsell is good Ile warrant,
For shee doth wish ill to no Man.
To the tune, This is my Grannams deedle.
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COme hither good-fellowes, come hither,
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Good counsell if you will learne it,
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I heere in a Song will shew it,
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If you have but wit to discerne it.
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O this is a good old Woman,
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O this is a merry old Woman,
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Her counsell is good Ile warrant,
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For she doth wish ill to no man.
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He that doth woo a Maiden,
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Must use sometimes to flatter,
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And he that would woo a Widdow,
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Must seriously spoake good matter.
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O this is a good old Woman, etc.
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He that would have a Woman
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Officious unto his humour,
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Must alwaies be loving unto her,
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And be no vaine consumer.
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O this is a good old Woman, etc.
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She that would please her Parents,
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Must her affections bridle,
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And still have a care however,
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To shun all company idle.
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O this is a good old Woman, etc.
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And she that would have a Husband,
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Merry to sing, with a fadding,
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No cause of distaste must give him
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Abroad for to goe gadding.
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O this is a good old Woman, etc.
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He that would gaine true honour,
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Must hate to be a coward:
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And he that would live in quiet,
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Must marry no Widdow thats froward.
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O this is a good old Woman, etc.
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And he that would eate, must labour,
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And carefully follow his calling:
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And he that a Scold doth marry,
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Sheell vex him all day with her brawling.
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O this is a good old Woman, etc.
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She that would faine be married,
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And wants both portion and beauty,
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Must unto her Master and Mistresse
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Owe good respect and duty,
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O this is a good old Woman, etc.
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To gaine their loves and favour,
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Then may she hope the better,
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To get a kinde Husband will love her,
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To toyle then, he will not let her.
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O this is a good old Woman, etc.
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He that would seeke preferment,
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Must neatly usher a Lady,
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And weare good cloethes for his credit,
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And still at a call be ready.
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O this is a good old Woman,
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O this is a merry old Woman,
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Her counsell is good Ile warrant,
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For she doth wish ill to no man.
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The second part, To the same tune
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ANd he that would be a Courtier,
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Must be with good parts adorned,
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To please his Masters humour,
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Or else he shall be scorned.
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O this is a good old Woman,
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O this is a merry old woman,
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Her counsell is good Ile warrant,
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For shee doth wish ill to no man.
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She that would have no scandal!
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Or imputation on her,
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Must not frequent a Burdello,
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But chaste Diana honour.
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O this is a good old Woman, etc.
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Brave Girles, there be a many
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Goe richly in their apparell,
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Which makes the roring Gallants,
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About them so to quarrell.
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O this is a good old Woman, etc.
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He that would be no Cuckold,
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Then let him never marry,
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It were a horne-plague unto him,
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A jealous minde to carry.
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O this is a good old Woman, etc.
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And he that would raise his fortunes,
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Being poore left by his Dady:
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He must be stout and valiant,
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Faint heart ner won faire Lady.
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O this is a good old Woman.
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He that would be a Scholler,
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Must hate your drinks that is muddy:
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But a cup of good Canary
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Will make him the better to study.
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O this is a good old Woman, etc.
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And he that would be a Poet,
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Must no wayes be flocke-pated:
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His ignorance if he show it,
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He shall of all Schollers be hated.
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O this is a good old Woman, etc.
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He that would be a Goodfellow,
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Of meanes must be prepared:
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If that he love drinke and Tobacco,
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Or else he shall be jeared.
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O this is a good old Woman, etc.
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He that would be a Taylor,
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Must active be and nimble:
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And he that would be a good liver,
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Most hate to lye and dissemble.
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O this is a good old Woman, etc.
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He that would be a Musician,
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Must neatly run division,
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To humour each joviall Gallant,
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Or else he is held in derision.
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O this is a good old Woman, etc.
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And he that would strive for riches,
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Or how to get a good marriage,
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Must still in his carriage be wary,
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That nothing his credit disparage.
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O this is a good old Woman, etc.
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And he that would learne true goodnesse,
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Must daily himselfe endeavour,
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To hate all wicked lewdnesse,
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And still in all grace persever.
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Oh this is a good old Woman,
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O this is a merry old Woman,
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Her counsell is good Ile warrant,
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For she doth wish ill to no man.
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