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EBBA 30742

British Library - Roxburghe
Ballad XSLT Template
The LONDON
CUCKOLD:
OR,
An Antient Citizens Head well fitted with a Flourishing pair of Fashionable Horns,
by his Buxome Young Wife, who was well Backd by a Coltish Spark, in the time of
her Husbands Absence at the Campaign on Hounslow-Heath.
Tune of, O Mother! Roger, etc. This may be Printed, R.P.

A Trades-man hearing of the Story
of the Army and Campaign,
Longd for to behold the Glory
and he went to view the same;
On his Brown-bay Tit he got,
And away does bravely trot,
Left behind his witty Wife,
Whom he lovd as dear as life:
But while my Tradesman took the Air,
There came a Colt and Backd his Mare.

It was a Gallant with white Feather,
and a Coat with Golden Lace,
Hearing of her Fame, came thither,
and supplyd her Husbands place:
[Li]ttle thought the careless Man,

Of the Game that then began,
Thinking not to be beguild
By his Wife so sweet and mild:
But while the Tradesman took the Air,
There came a Colt and Backd his Mare.

When he came home she gave him Kisses,
and Sack-Posset very good,
Caudles too, she never misses,
for they warm and heat the Blood:
Such things wilt create desire,
And new kindle Cupids Fire;
These things made him kiss his Wife,
And to call her Love and Life;
But while (alas) he took the Air,
A wanton Colt had Bacd his Mare.

The good man soon found somthing budding
which did put him to great pain,
And as he was eating Pudding,
to his Wife he did complain:
Wife, said he, I am not well,
(What I aild) I cannot tell)
But my Forehead feels like Bone,
Tis as hard as any Stone:
By Jove, quoth she, and this fair morn,
Husband, Husband, tis a Horn.

A Horn, quoth he, pray hold your prating,
(for I vow you make me quake)
If it be, tis of your making,
O dear! how my Head does ake:
I am in a woful case,
Something, something sprouts apace;
Love (said she) then know your doom,
One lay with me in your Room;
For while you Rid to take the Air,
There came a Colt that Backd your Mare.

The Duce (quoth he) take ye for Witches,
cant a Man Ride out a Mile,
But some fellow with fine Breeches,
must new Saddle you the while?
Husband, Husband, for your joy,
You shall have a thumping Boy;
Come, come peace, and have more wit,
Oh! I feel a qualmish Fit;
I find, I find, I am with-Child,
Pray my Dear, be kind and mild.

With Child, dye say, (ye arrant Hussie)
I ner got it, is it true?
Tis (quoth she) you were so busie,
I was loath to trouble you:
You love Busness as your Life,
But ner mind to kiss your Wife;
You leave me to lye alone,
All night long to sigh and moan:
And therefore when you took the Air,
There came a Colt and Backd your Mare.

It was a Youth in Gaudy Jacket,
that appeard most brisk and fine,
Kist me, prest me, teazd my Placket,
made me blush like Claret-Wine:
But at last I d[i]d obey,
What young woman could say nay?
To this Gallant I did yield,
And the Warrior won the Field;
For while you (Husband) took the Air,
This same Youngster Backd your Mare.

Oh! let true Patience be my Balsom,
since I know my wretched Fate,
Prating like a Fool is fulsome,
silence cures the Horned Pate:
Should I blow my Trumpet out,
I should raise the Rabble-rout,
Have the Boys about my E[a]rs,
And endure their Flouts a[n]d [j]eers:
But for hereafter ile take c[a]re,
That no young Colt shall Back my Mare.


Printed for J. Back, at the Black Boy on London-Bridge, near the Draw-Bridge.

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