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EBBA 31015

British Library - Roxburghe
Ballad XSLT Template
The West-Country Weaver:
CONTAINING
His Sorrowful Lamentation for the Hardship which he undergoes by a Proud Imperious
WIFE: Together, With his Resolution to reclaim Her by the Well-approved Oil of HOLLY.
To the Tune of If Loves a sweet Passion, etc. Licensed according to Order.

GOod People I marryd a turbulent Wife,
Who with railing has made me quite weary of Life;
Tho I do my endeavour to give her content,
Yet my Labour, alas! to no purpose is spent:
On her Errands, Peel-garlick her Husband she sends;
You may see what it is to be marryd, dear Friends.

When I was a Batchelor gallant and gay,
Then at Stool-ball, or Cricket, I freely might play,
Nay, and sometimes with Margery ride to a Fair;
But, alas! now my Head is incumbred with Care:
I must tarry at home for to feed my Wifes H[?]
You may see what it is to be marryd, dear Friends.

If I an Acquaintance do happen to meet
Any time in the Day, as I pass through the Street,
And that we for one Flaggon together should go,
Strait she comes like a loud and invincible shrow;
At my Noddle the Pipe and the Flaggon she sends:
You may see what, etc.

All Winter betimes I am forced to rise
For to make her a Fire and Caudle likewise,
Which I bring her each morning with care to her Bed,
Which perhaps in her Passion shell fling at my Head:
This I often have had for to make me amends.
You may see what, etc.

She set me one morning to hang on the Pot,
And I needs must acknowledge I clearly forgot
For to put in the Water, but saunterd about
Till the Porridge-Pot bottom was clearly burnt out:
At my Noddle the Ladle she presently sends,
You may see what it is to be marryd, dear Friends.

One morning she left me at home to be Nurse,
While she walkd with her Gallant, whom often Id curse:
Now as I was sate rocking, and winding of Silk,
Oh the Cat came and eat up the Childs sugard Milk:
But when this sad Disaster was known to my Wife,
Honest People I thought twould have cost me my Life.

Now when she had thrashd me, up Stairs she did go
With her Gallant, and chargd me to tarry below;
But I cunningly followd, up Stairs I did creep,
Ay, and thorough the Key-hole in troth I did peep:
But her Gallant he heard me, and presently swore
He woud kick me down Stairs, if he came to the Door.

With courage I told him, I feard not his Blows,
I woud peep through the Key-hole in spite of his Nose;
Then the Spark in a Passion his Rapier he drew,
Straight away from the Door of the Chamber I flew;
For I knowing young Gallants are desperate Men:
And thought I, shoud he kill me, faith where am I then.

I took her to task when the Gallant was gone;
And I said, Love consider but what you have done:
It was all that I said, when she flew with disdain,
Ay, and calld me poor Wittal, and Cuckold in grain;
And a three-legged Stool at my Noddle she sends:
You may see what it is to be marryd, my Friends.

Before any longer this Life I will lead,
I am fully resolvd to Chastise her with speed,
With the sweet Oil of Holly Ill chafe her proud Hide,
Which will supple and make her a diligent Bride:
And when thus shes reclaimd, to the World I will tell
How in Love, Peace and Comfort, together we dwell.


Printed for C. Bates, at the Bible and [?]
Pye-corner

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