TOBIA'S ADVICE,
Or, A Remedy for a ranting Young-Man.
While you are single you take but little care,
Therefore I say better you married were,
Perhaps there's some at this will make a Jest,
But I say still a married Life is best.
Therefore young-men take this Advice of me
Better take one than run to two or three.
Tune of, Daniel Cooper.
By Tobias Bowne.
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ON May morning as I walkt forth,
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I to my self was musing;
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Though I what a fool am I in truth
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that I so long am chusing,
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For Maids enough are to be had,
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I to my self was thinking,
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Sure I will have one good or bad,
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to keep me out of drinking.
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Yet some there he have said to me,
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a single life is gallant;
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But where is he that I can see
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that lays up any Talant?
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They'l say we'l live so all our life,
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for marriage we'l prevent it;
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But where is he without a wife
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that can live well contented.
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For marriage is a thing ordain'd
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and what man can deny it?
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If my true-love doth constant prove,
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I am resolv'd to try it:
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He that doth live a single life,
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I count a simple action,
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But if you get a loving Wife,
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that will be satisfaction.
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I pray observe what I do speak,
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you'l say these lines are witty;
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How many hearts you cause to break
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in Country, Town and City,
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And then you think to cast it off,
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and turns it to a laughter;
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You think that you do well enough,
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but pray mark what comes after.
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When I was young I did the like,
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then I was brisk and bonny;
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Sometimes walk abroad all night,
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and so spent all my money,
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But now I see it's vanity,
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i'le strive for to prevent it,
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I'le go no more to seek a Whore,
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I'm with my wife contented.
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All you stand by I ask you why
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that Marriage should be slighted;
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Sure you may say as well as I
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youngmen are over-sighted:
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But here you run and there you run,
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and count your selves brave fellows,
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But if that One you had at home,
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she'd keep you from the Alehouse.
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A youngman said that he would wed
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but he aim'd at promotion;
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He fain would have a wife in Bed,
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but not without a portion:
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I call'd him fool unto his face,
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I did not like his speeches;
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Said I, take thou a virtuous Lass,
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she's better far than Riches.
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If once you get a loving mate,
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and you abroad are ranting,
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You'l think why shall I stay out late,
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my wife she finds me wanting;
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I will haste home unto my choice,
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she shall not for me tarry:
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And if you will take my advice,
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I think it good to marry.
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And then you may live happily
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be but a little thrifty;
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Sure if you spend your time away
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till you do mount to fifty,
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And then a wife you chance to have,
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you may become a Father;
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You'l say what money might I have sav'd,
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had I been married rather.
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And so I bid you all adieu,
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I hope you don't deny me,
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I do not speak to you or you,
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but all that stand here by me.
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It's but a penny once your life,
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the Ballad's ready for ye;
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And so I wish you a good wife
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when that you chance to marry.
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