WANTON

¶Of all misfortunes, mine is the worst, Truly I think I was accursed: When I was and infant, not fully nursed, Alas for grief, my heart it will burst. I daily see women as young as I, Which in White Caps, our door do go by: I am as able as they, with a man to lie, Yet my mother does still, my wedding deny. She sayeth for wedding, that I am unfit, Maids of fowertéene years she sayeth, hath no wit And so every day she sayeth I shall tarry yet, That would God I were put quick in the pit. God wot we maids, abide much misery, And always kept in, from having liberty: Of evil tongues we walk in ieoberty, Most people are now so full of jealousy: If a youngman a maid do but kiss, Now (say the people) you may see what she is: Where if I were a wife, nothing I should miss. But live Like a Lady, in all joyful bliss. I right well do know, the peoples spite, Because that to be pleasant, I have delight: Therefore passed grace, they say I am quite, And a wilful wanton, my name they do wright. Yet I trust in God, once to see the day, That to recompense their spite I may: For if ever I be married, and bear any sway, Then I know what I have to say. Therefore good God, make me shortly a wife, Or else shortly take away my life. ¶But alas my mother will so be displeased, That I know her wrath will never be appeased. ¶O what comfortable words are these, Truly your talk does me greatly please, I will not stin e but seek out always, Until that I have found some ease. I care not what my mother do say, This matter I will no longer delay. But a husband I will have out of the way, And then may I boldly Alley and play. No man dare me then once to control, Least my husband chance for to scowl. If any man use to entreat me foul, My husband will lay him over the nole. It does me good to think of the bliss, Which between new married couples is. To see their dallyaunce sometime ywisse, It sets my tooth and edge by gisse. Truly I would gladly give my best frock, And all things else unto my smock. To be married in the morning by vj. of the clock, I beshrew my heart if that I do mock. Sir you will not believe how I long, To be one of the wedded throng. My thinks it lies in no tongue, To show the joys that is them among. ¶Well sir I will no longer tarry, But some man out of hand will marry. Although from my mother's mind I varry, Yet your words in mind I carry. Therefore good sir to you adieu, Until again I meet with you. If I speed well, a good coat new, To your part may chance ensue. Exiunt ¶Jesus husband what do you mean, To run abroad, and leave me at home: You are such a man, as I have not seen, I see well, hereafter you will leave me alone. That so soon begin, from me to be straying, What man, it is yet but honey moon. ¶Yea but husband I say consider in your mind, That now we are young, and plyaunt to play: But age approaching, makes us lame and blind, And lusty courage does then draw away. Then what may substance us avail, For age no pleasure does regard: Therefore good sweet heart do not quail, Think never that the world is hard. ¶Truly that is but a foolish toy, At the First to live hardly and bore: Many we see miss that hoped joy, And then it proveth, for others they spare. Have not many had, full sorrowful hearts, By losing of that which they did spare: Had they not better have taken their parts, Then so for others, them selves to make bore. And what know we, if we shall live, To take our parts of that we scrape: Would it not then your heart grieve, To leave your substance in such rate. ¶Doubt you that such chance shall befall, Truly you are greatly unwise: We are able to keep us from such thrall, ¶Well husband this talk is in vain, Therefore cease so sharply to speak: For unless such talk you do refrain, I fear for unkindness my heart will break. I little thought that you would thus, Have now restrained me of my will: But now right well I may discuss, She weeps. That you do love some other gill. ¶A faith are you such a one indeed, By gisse you made me almost afeard: My heart in my belly was ready to bleed, When such foolish words in you I herd. ¶But yet my friends before that you go, Of a song help us to sing a part. By my troth husband we must needs have a song, Will you not help to further the same? ¶Well husband now I will home repair, To see that your dinner dressed be. Exiunt. ¶O but if my mother would thereto consent, To be married this night, I could be content. ¶Dyuers there are, who gladly would have me, And being their wife, would trimly bebraue me. From all wrong they would defend and save me, Tush enough there are, which to wife do crave me.