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Men say there was a secret wisdom then,
That rul'd the strange opinions of these men;
For by much washing Child got cold in head,
Which was the cause so many Saints snuffled:
Oh cry'd another sect, let's wash the cock,
And eke that other thing that lurks in smock;
Th••e were the members whence did first arise
The sinfull cause of all our miseries.
But their wise Wives reply'd, fuming and fretting,
'Twas dangerous, least the part• should shrink in wetting;
And for that cause they only did be-sprinkle
The pretty Birdsney-Pigsney-Periwinkle.
Now when the Priest had spoke, and made an end,
And that the Child was made the Churches friend,
The women straightway they went home agen,
To talk of things which they conceal from men:
Then Midwife carries Child t' ask Mother blessing,
Who gives it a kiss in her Flanders-lace dressing,
She sate with Curtains drawn, most princum prancum,
And call'd the women every one to thank 'um:
Full threescore pound it cost in Plumbs and Dishes,
Which women eat as Pikes eat little Fishes;
But when the Claret and Hypocriss came in,
Then the tittle tattle began to begin;
The Midwife takes a Tankard and drinks up all,
Of all the Saints, quoth she, God bless St. Paul,
He bid the men give the women their due;
If they do'nt, may the women ne're prove true:
Well fare my Son here, he is a yonng man,
But let any other do better if he can;
Five in six years!———hey ho———here daughter,
Here's to the next bout, and what shall come after.
But what ayles my Neighbour here to look so grum?
A year and a half, and nothing yet come.———
Alas, I lost time, quoth she, I married a Fool,———
'Twas six months ere he knew he was to use his tool:
But I ha' taught him a new lesson I faith; quo I, fye upon't,
Such a fool at these years,———but learn more wit,———if ye do'nt———
Alas,
