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THE
WIFE OF BEITH.
In Beith once dwelt a worthy wife,
Of whom brave Chaucer mention makes:
She lived a licentious life,
And namely in venereal acts;
But death did come for all her cracks:
When years were spent and days out-driven,
Then suddenly she sickness takes,
Deceas'd forthwith, and went to heaven.
But as the went upon the way,
There follow'd her a certain guide,
And kindly to her did he say,
Where mean you, dame, for to abide?
I know you are the wife of Beith,
And would not then that you go wrong,
For I'm your friend, and will be leath
That you go through this narrow throng:
