Coming of Age: Will said to his Mammy (Jones 1597-1615)

Will said to his mammy
That hee woulde goe woo,
Faine would he wed but he wot not who.
"Soft a while me lammy
Stay, and yet abide."
Hee like a foole as he was replide:
"In faith child have a wife, a wife, a wife,
O what a life do I leade
For a wife in my bed
I may not tell you,
O there to have a wife, a wife, a wife,
O tis a smart to my hart,
Tis a racke to my backe
and to my belly."

Scarcely was hee wedded,
Full a fortnights space,
But that he was in a heavie case.
Largely was he headded,
And his cheekes lookt thinne:
And to repent he did thus beginne:
"A figge for such a wife, a wife, a wife,
O what a life do I leade …"

All you that are Batchelers,
Be learnd by crying Will,
When you are well to remaine so still,
Better for to tarry,
And alone to lie,
Than like a foole with a foole to crie:
"A figge for such a wife, a wife, a wife
O what a life do I leade …"