Mars and Vulcan in opposition:
FOR,
When Mars and faire Venus were both in conjunction
The Cyclops beheld them with some of his fellowes,
Poore Vulcan was horned by one of the function,
Whilst he silly Cuckold was blowing the bellowes:
Mars did unto Venus what his skill could afford her,
And dub'd Vulcan Knight of the new forked order.
To the Tune of, Colonell Downes his men, etc.
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A Country blade of late
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well mounted on a horse,
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Posted unto a Market-towne
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Spurr'd on by Cupids force:
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Who when be thither came
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to Vulcans Forge fast walked,
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And left his Nag there to be shod
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whilst he with Venus talked.
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But Mars that still wisht well
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unto this lovely Dame,
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Had some of his attendance there
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seeming to doe the same.
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Baccus, he ready was
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to entertaine them there,
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Carousing healths in bowls of wine
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to friends that absent were.
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And drinking merrily.
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carouses round about,
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He sought his opportunity
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that he might have a bout:
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But Vulcan at the last
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seeing Venus so attended,
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Some pretty posture chancht to spy
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whereat he was offended.
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For mounting up on high,
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their pleasant sport to finde,
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Vulcan he approaches nie
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contrary to their minde:
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Who looking up above,
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seeing his trap-doore downe,
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He heard them so to move
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which made him much to frown.
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And being thus inraged,
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in hand he tooke his bar,
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And furiously he laid about,
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not fearing men of war.
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The youngster he saluted,
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the truth if you will know,
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And for his tendred kindnesse did
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roast meat on him bestow.
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The second part, To the same Tune.
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ANd to requite him further,
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he with a leaden tun,
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To him which made him hast away
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a health in blood begun.
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As due he gave to Venus
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what nature had forgot
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A Mole I mean, for there is none
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so rare but have some spot.
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And Daphne being set,
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a watch the while to keep.
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She failed of her trust
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in that she fell asleep:
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For which she was requited,
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as unto her was due,
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And had her pay in earnest
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at least a stroke or two.
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Therefore my Country blade
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of Vulcans force beware,
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And when you come to shooe our Nag
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take heed of Vulcans Mare.
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And seeing that Vulcan was
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so cunningly cornuted,
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Let's horns so long as Acteons grow
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they shall not be confuted,
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And so if that the Black-smith
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should chance to catch a fall,
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His hornes will serve him passing well
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to keep him from the wall.
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And if that with ill words
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he should his wife importune,
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She wel may say t'was not her fault
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but t'was her husbands fortune.
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This may be term'd a blessing
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that he had to him given,
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For some sayes Cuckolds are the men
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that first goe up to heaven.
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Let not his neighbours jeere,
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nor hold the man in scorne,
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For why the wises pate of all
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may chance to weare the horne.
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Each one must take his lot,
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according as doe fall;
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But sure it is a matter strange
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we are not cuckolds all.
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Thus in conclusion all things
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amisse let be amended:
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Which being done I hope there's none
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shall justly be offended.
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