Halfe a dozen of good vvives All for a penny. Kind cozens or country-men what ere you be, if you want a good penny-worth, come buy it of me, sixe wives for a penny, a young one or old, a cleanely good huswife, a slut or a scold. To the tune of, The cleane contrary way.

Halfe a dozen of good Wives .

All for a penny .

Kind Cozens or Country-men what ere you be , If you want a good penny-worth , come buy it of me , Sixe Wives for a penny a young one or old , A cleanely good huswife , a Slut or a Scold .

To the tune of , The cleane contraryway .

IF any standers by that leads a single life , Desirous be of marriage , and faine would have a Wife , Unto the signe of Fortune , let him forthwith repaire , And either she or I will helpe such customers to ware ; For in my time I have made proofe of halfe a dozen , And if thou hast a mind unto 't , come take one honest Cozen , oh come take her honest Cozen . The first of all my Wives did prove so crosse a Dame . What ere I said she still would doe contrary to the same , She is so obstinate , that she must have her will . And let me doe the best I can , she will be Master still : Oh this was my good Wife , the best , &c. Besides all these good parts , sh' as humours five or sixe , Though I please her nere so well at home , she 'l play the meretrixe , For if my backe be turn'd , abroad the straight must gad , And to be briefe she is so crosse , as I am ene horne-mad : O this was my first Wife , the best , &c. The second wife I had , was not so light as she , But yet she had I speake to her praise , as rare a quality . A thrifty Dame she was , which prov'd her greatest fault , She let the Maggots crawle i th' meat , to save the charge of Salt : Oh this was my good Wife , the best of the halfe dozen , &c. And when she went to Market , good penny worth● she bought , The cheap'st she laid her hands upon , she alwayes with her brought , But if that I dislik'd what she had done that day , Shée'd kéepe the best untill it stunke , and thr●w the rest away : O this was my good Wife , the best , &c. The third was some what cleanely , but yet a drunken Sot , Shée'd pawne all th●ngs for Ale and Béere , what ever she had got , Shée scarce would leave a smocke , or shooe unto her foot , But at the Alehouse all these went and some what else to boot : O this was my good Wife , the best of the halfe dozen , And if thou 'rt weary of a single life , Then take her honest Cozen . O then take her honest Cozen .

The second part . To the same Tune .

BUt yet she had skill in spinning , with her the world runs on whéeles : On any ground where ere she comes , she cannot stand , but réeles : And yet but once a wéeke with drinke shée 's overtaine , Which lasteth still from Sunday night , till Sunday come againe . Oh this was my good wife , the best of the halfe dozen , And if th' art wearie of a single life , then take her honest cosen , oh then take her honest cosen . The fourth good Wife of mine was wondrous carefull ●ent , She had a care of the maine-chance , to sée how all things went : She never would be quiet , if from her sight I were , For feare lest I should spend it all , and she not have a share . Oh this was my good wife , the best , &c. And if unto a Taverne without her I had gone , She would be there as soone as I , Oh 't was a loving one . And for my ill husbandry shée'd keepe a pittious ●o●le , And call me Rogue and Cuckold too : but what was she the while ? I thinke one of my A●●● , the best , &c. The fifth was a good old woman , and had great care of mée : Now could she 〈◊〉 for by her age she might my 〈◊〉 bée . And though I say it my selfe , she stood me in great stead , I durst trust her in any place , and never feare my head : O this was one of my wives , the best , &c. Yet if I chanc'd to kisse , or on a young wench looke ; You would not thinke poore harmles 〈◊〉 how pitiously she took 't : For often times she 'd blame me , that I abroad should rome , And love another , when I had , so good a piece at home : O this was my good wife , the best , &c. But oh the last of all , she had an excellent tongue , Which is the rarest property , that does to a woman belong ; And if I had but vext her , she us'd her tongue so well , As when she to the purpose spake , it sounded like a Bell : O this was my good Wife , the best , &c. She was so good a wife , I must praise her againe : For she excelled all the Scolds , that dwell in Turne-agen Lane ● I speake as I have felt her , for thée bang'd me once so sore , As I have vow'd ere since that ti●● never to marry more . But here doe leave my wives , in number halfe a dozen , And for a penny will sell all , then take them honest cozen , oh then take them honest cozen . And now good women all , whosoever heares this Song , I doe no private person taxe , to doe them any wrong . But if you take exceptions , the thorne you know will pricke , And if you touch a gall'd Horse bac●e , the Proverbe sayes hee 'l kicke . For I make mention of no lesse than halfe a dozen : Then whosoere is angry now , will prove my honest cozen , oh will prove my honest cozen .

FINIS .