The Contented Wife, with the Husband's Answer/The Contented Wife

by Anonymous

For other versions of this work, see The Contented Wife.

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

THE CONTENTED WIFE.

I have been a wife this dozen of long years,
And bliss'd be the time I did marry.
I never fell out with my love in my life,
If he at the ale-house did tarry;
I light up my candle and go to my bed,
He comes when he pleases, no more is said,
He sleeps till he's sober and settles his head,
Girls mind this when you do marry.

I rise in the morning before he's awake,
And then I do make him a fue;
For breakfast I get him some chocolate hot,
Or any thing else he desires;
He gives me a kiss, and to work he does go,
I never say, Husband, Why do you so?
We live like two turtles, no sorrow we know,
Girls mind this when you do marry.

If on Saturday's night his money fall short,
We make the less serve us on Sunday;
He cries my dear, I'll do better next week,
And go to work early on Monday.
Our children obey with submission and fear;
We have no words but my love and my dear,
we're been married these dozen of long years,
Girls mind this when you do marry.

If you have bad husbands it's in vain to scold,
Ill words will ne'er make them better,
But keep yourselves free from contention & strife,
Let your neighbours not know the matter.
And be but contented though never so poor,
And GOD, will daily increase your store,
So that you may drive the wolfe from the door,
Girls mind this when you do marry.