THE BAD-HUSBAND'S FOLLY
Or, Poverty Made Known

A man may waste and spend away his store,
But if misery comes he has no help therefore;
This man, that brought himself into decay,
Shews other good fellows that they go not astray.

[To the tune of "Come Hither, My Own Sweet Duck]

To all good fellows now I mean to sing a song,
I have wrought my own decay, and have done myself great wrong;
In following the ale-house I have spent away my store,
Bad company did me undo, but I’ll do so no more.

That man that haunts the Ale-house, and likewise the Drunken Crew,
Is in danger to dye a Beggar without any more ado;
Would I might be an Example to all Good-Fellows sure;
Bad Company [did me undo, but I'le do so no more].

I had a fair Estate of Land, was worth forty pounds a year,
I sold and mortgaged all that, and spent it in strong Beer;
My wife and friends could not rule me, until I did wax poor:
Bad Company [did me undo, but I'le do so no more].

I came unto my Hostis[s], and called for Liquor apace,
She saw my money was plenty, and she smiled in my face;
If I said “Fill a Flaggon!” they set two upon the score,
Bad Company [did me undoe, but l’le do so no more].

I ranted night and day, and I let my Money flye,
While my wife was almost dead with grief, to hear her children cry;
For they were almost starv'd and pin'd, they wanted food so sore :
Bad Company [did me undo, but I'le do so no more].

At two a clock i' th' morn I would come Drunken home,
And if my wife spoke but a word, I'd kick her about the room ;
And domineer and swear, and call her [foul names a score,
Bad Company [did me undo, but I'le do 80 no more].

Then I fell sick upon the same, and lay three months and more,
But never an Ale-wife in the Town would come within my door ;
But my poor wife was my best friend, and stuck to me therefore :
Bad Company [did me undo, but I'le do so more].

My wife she sold her Petticoat, and pawn'd her Wedding-Ring,
To relieve me in my misery, in any kind of thing;
O was not I a woful man, to waste and spend my store,
And let my wife and children want at home, but I'le do so no more.

When I began to mend a little, I walkt to take the air,
And as I went along the Town I came by my Hostise's door;
I askt her for to trust me two-pence, she denyed me (and swore]:
The Money that I have spent with her ! but I'le do so no more.

As soon as I get strength agen I'le fall to work apace,
To maintain my wife and children, for my Hostises are base :
I see who is a man's best friend, if he be sick or poor,
Bad Company [did me undo, but I'le do so no more].

And when I do get money agen, I'le learn for to be wise,
And not believe the Drunken Crew, that filled my ears with lyes ;
And carry it home unto my wife, and of my Children take more care ;
Bad Company [did me undo, but I'le do 80 no more].

He runs a very long Race that never turns again,
I sold and mortgaged all that, and spent it in strong beer
My wife and friends could not rule me, until I did wax poor
Bad company did me undo, but I’ll do so no more

Then I fell sick upon the same and lay three months and more
But never an ale-wife in the town would come within my door
But my poor wife was my best friend and stuck to me therefore
Bad company did me undo, but I’ll do so no more

My wife she sold her petticoat and pawned her wedding ring
To relieve me in my misery in any kind of thing
Oh was I not a woeful man to waste and spend my store
Bad company did me undo, but I’ll do so no more

As soon as I get strength again I’ll fall to work apace
To maintain my wife and children for my needs they are base
I see who is a man’s best friend if he be sick or poor
Bad company did me undo, but I’ll do so no more


Source: Publications, Volume 29, page 493 - https://books.google.com/books?id=_2AOAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA494#v=onepage&q&f=false