University of Virginia Library

previous section A step to Stir-Bitch-Fair
next section
6

[Take Care thou do'st thy self no wrong]

Take Care thou do'st thy self no wrong,
Drink no small Beer when thou hast Strong;
And further do thy self this Right,
Eat no Brown Bread if thou hast White;
And if the Mistress thou can'st Bed,
Besure thou do'st not kiss the Maid.
Show not thy Wife thy utmost Strength,
Nor let her know thy Purses Length;
Never be Bonnd for any Friend,
But rather far thy Money Lend;
For thou wilt find 'tis better he
Should break or be undone, than thee;
Trust no Man that is Proud and Poor,
Unless thou wilt forgive the Score;
For he will neither Pay nor own,
The Kindness thou to him hast shown;
Be just and grateful to thy Friend,
'Twill make thee happy in the end;
But if thy self and thine thoud'st save,
Take Care thou deal'st not with a Knave:
Trust not thy Wife, tho' near so good,
With no Man but thy Self abroad.
For if thou do'st, e'er she returns,
Thy Forehead may be deck'd with Horns:
What I have said do thou retain,
So Kiss the Horns, and say, Amen.
previous section A step to Stir-Bitch-Fair
next section