5
- to buy a penny worth of wit.
But I have kept the penny ſtill,
- and n'er ſo much as thought of it.
Where shall I go to lay it out?
- true wit is ſcarce and hard to find,
But came my lads lets drink about,
- my Wife's ſmall venture we'll not mind.
There is a proverb often us'd,
- wit's never good till bought to dear,
Where I right well may be excus'd,
- there's little for a peony here.
An aged Father ſitting by,
- whoſe venerable locks were gray,
Straight made the Merchant this reply,
- hear me a word or two I pray.
Thy Harlot in proſperity,
- ſhe will embrace the for thy gold,
But if in want and miſery,
- you'll nought but frawns from her behold,
And ready to betray thy life,
- When wretched naked poor and low,
But thy true hearted, faithful Wife,
- will ſtand by thee in well or wo,
If thou wilt prove the truth of this,
- ſtrip of thy gaudy rich array,
And ſo return to thy proud Miſs,
- declare that thou waſt caſt away.
Thy riches buried in the main,
- beſides as you paſſ'd through a wood,
One of your ſervant you had ſlain,
- for which your life in danger ſtood.
Beſeech her for to ſhelter thee,
- declare on her you do depen'd:
And then alas! full ſoon you'll ſee,
- how far ſhe'd prove a faithful friend.
Then if ſhe frowns go to thy Wife;
- tell her this melancholy thing.
