MARTHA

When J shall know Jle tell, pray tell me first, How long have you been married? And truly so have J, we shall agree J see. No woman merrier, now J have met with one Of my condition. Three years married say you, would, would, would, Three years married, Would, would, would. 'Tis just my story. And you have had no child, That's still my story, Would, would, would. Are you sure on't, Or does your husband only tell you so, Take heed o'that, for husbands are deceitful. Yet both he And you may be deceived, for now I'll tell you, My husband told me, faced me down and stood on't, We had three sons, and all great travellers, That one had shook the great Turk by the beard, I never saw them, nor am I such a fool To think that children can be God and born, Trained up to men, and then sent out to travel, And the poor mother never know nor feel Any such matter; there's a dream indeed. He may put dreams into me, but He never put child nor any thing towards it yet To me to making: something sure belongs weep. To such a wor for I am passed a child My self to they are found in parsley beds, Strawberry banks or Rosemary bushes, though I must confess I have sought and searched such places, Because I would feign have had one. Pray tell me, for I think no body hears us, How came you by your babes? I cannot think Your husband God them you. Nor with him neither, be not angry pray now. For were I now to die, I cannot guess What a man do's in child-getting, I remember A wanton maid once lay with me, and kissed And clip't, and clapped me strangely, and then wished That I had been a man to have God her with child: What must I then have done, or (good now tell me) What has your husband done to you? Yes he do's use to lie with me, but he do's not Lie with me to use me as she should I fear, Nor do I know to teach him, will you tell me, I'll lie with you and practice if you please. Pray take me for a night or two: or take My husband and instruct him, But one night, Our country folks will say, you London wives Do not lie every night with your own husbands. Nay now again you're angry. I thank you. Indeed, indeed, I thank you. My Child shall thank you for it, when I have one. I take no joy in toys since I was married. Indeed I am weary, and would feign go home. The Play: what play? It is no Children's play, Nor no Child-getting play, pray is it? If it be me your wife commends you to, You shall not needs to stray from your own house. I'll go home with you. Would, would, would. 'Tis true, for I should weep for that poor daughter, 'Tis Like she'll have no children, pray now look, Am not I crooked too? I'll do as any body bids me for a child. He kisses sweetly; And that is more then ere my husband did. But more belongs then kissing to child-getting; And he's so Like my husband, if you note him, That I shall but loose time and wishes by him, No, no, I'll none of him. Oh but try him you first: and then tell me. And so shall I, After a few such nights more.