From the Bodleian broadside collection, Harding B 25(356):


THE CHANDLER'S WIFE

A tailor-boy went out one day some candles for to buy.
He came into a chandler's shop, but devil a-one was nigh.
He rapped, he called, and loudly bawled; no answer there was made,
But likewise he heard the rap, tap, tap, right over his very head.

The tailor-boy being cunning and sly, he nimbly tripped upstairs.
There he would not speak one word for spoiling of the affair.
For there he spied the sparkling Will, down by his mistress's side.
Likewise he heard the rap, tap, tap; he beheld it with his eyes.

Their game it being all over, then they began to rise.
When that she saw the tailor-boy; it put her in a great surprise.
But she said, "If you my secrets keep, to you I will prove kind,
And you shall have at my rap, tap, tap, whenever you have a mind."

The tailor-boy being cunning and sly, he nimbly answered, "No,
For I'll go call my comrade Jack; he's used to serve maids so.
It's I'll go call my comrade Jack; I'll go call him out of hand,
And he shall have at the rap, tap, tap, for he does it well understand."

Come all you young men who have handsome wives; it's when you go from home,
Be you sure to take care of them and lock them into a room,
Or they'll kiss and toy with the pretty boys; the chandler's wife done so,
And they will have at the rap, tap, tap, before you a mile would go.