The Contented Wife, with the Husband's Answer/Gentlemen Rakes of the Town

by Anonymous

For other versions of this work, see Gentlemen Rakes of the Town.

Text divider from 'The Contented Wife, with the Husband's Answer', a chapbook printed in Glasgow in 1802

GENTLEMEN RAKES of the TOWN.

Did not you hear of the gentlemen rakes,
And hear the sweet cry of beer, wine & cakes,
Whilst we in blue aprons, and clean linen gowns,
For to view all the gentlemen rakes of the town.

 The good man comes hame to drive away care,
And takes some good fellow away to the fair;
Some are too bashful, and some are too bold,
Young womens' intentions are not to be told.
  Whilst we in blue aprons, etc.

 There's Millers, there's Oats, there's Bully & all,
There's Lee, and there's Harper, the devil and all,
While we are a viewing the gentlemen rakes,
And hear the sweet cry of beer, wine and cakes.
  Whilst we in blue aprons, etc.

 Our pinnners well lac'd, with fine round ear'd caps,
We dress ourselves nice to tempt our chaps,
With rings & round ribbons to swell out our pride,
And our bosoms all naked to tempt you beside.
  Whilst we in blue aprons, etc.

 On our arms hangs a basket of fruit that is nice,
Our gentlemens' palate to please in a trice,
Let it be at a masquerade, play-house, or ball,
We lately frequented, likewise Fox-hall.
  Whilst we in blue aprons, etc.