I think you want "The Lass of Islington". I don't know where it comes from; I seem to have known it for 30 years or so.

Cheers

Paul


THE LASS OF ISLINGTON

There was a lass of Islington, as I have heard them tell,
And she did with a vintner meet, who liked this maid full well.
"Sir, if I lie with you one night, as you propound to me,
I do expect that you would prove both courteous, kind and free.

"And for to tell you all in short, it will cost you five pounds."
"A match, a match", this vintner cried, "and so let this go round."
But when he had laid with her one night, her money she did crave.
"Oh stay", quoth he, "one further night, and your money you shall have."

This maiden made no more ado, but to a justice went,
And unto him did make her moan, who did her case lament.
She swore she had a cellar let out to a vintner in the town,
And how that he did disagree five pounds to pay her down.

The justice straight then sent for him to ask the reason why
That he would pay this maid no rent, to which he did reply:
"Although I hired a cellar of her, and possession it was mine,
"I never put anything into it, save one small pipe of wine."

This maiden, being ripe of wit, then did reply again:
"There were two butts more at the door. Why didn't you roll them in?"
The justice hearing of her case, then did give order straight
That he the money should pay down; she should no longer wait.

But when her money she had got, she stuck it in her purse
And clapped her hand on the cellar door, and swore it was never the worse,
Which made the people all to laugh, to see this vintner fine
Outwitted by a country girl, all about his pipe of wine.