A tryal of skill, performed by a poor decayed gentlewoman, who cheated a rich grasier of sevenscore pound, and left him a child to keep. If you will know, then listen a while, and you shall know that which will make you smile. The tune is, Ragged and torn.

A Tryal of skill , performed by a poor decayed Gentlewoman , Who cheated a rich Grasier of Sevenscore pound , and left him a Child to keep . If you will know , then listen a while , | And you shall know that which will make you smile .

The Tune is , Ragged-and Torn .

Kind Country-men lift to my Ditty , I pray you what ever you be , I know that my case you will pitty , I pray then take warning by me : Sevenscore pounds I did lose , besides a fine Babe at Nurse : My Sweet-heart she did me abuse , and left me no Coin in my Purse : Take heed of bad women therefore , by women are men overthrown , And rich men are often made Poor , when as they keep more then their own . I brought some Cattel to Town , and sold them for Sevenscore pound ; But money-less then I went home , with sorrow encompassed round : A dainty fine Cloak-bag I had , within it my treasure I laid , My fortune now maketh me sad , to think how that I was betray'd Take heed &c. As through Cheapside I did pass , mistrusting no manner of harm , I met with a proud decay'd Lass , with a pretty fine Child in her arm : She seemed in habit , to be a Gentlewoman that was made poor , She asked releif then of me , then I thought to have made her my whore Quoth she , pray yield some releif , these words then unto me she said , Unto a poor wretch full of grief , a poor Gentlewoman decay'd : Fair Mistris quoth I , I do grieve , to see you so distressed be , But I all your wants will relieve . if you will be ruled by me ; Take heed , &c. Go with me unto my Inn , and there you shall lye at your ease , You never was brought up to Spin , but Gentlemens humours to please : I 'le tell them that you are my wife , and this is my Child that you have , 'T was I that did bleed all the strife , and with my self plaid the Knave . Take heed , &c. She seemed to be over-joyd , and cast a Sheeps eye upon me , She could not be better imploy'd , and so we did quickly agree : When unto the Inn I did come , her fingers did itch at my Pelf , I call'd for a large fair Room , for my Wife my Child and my self : Take heed of bad women therefore , by women are men overthrown , And rich men are often made poor , when as they keep more then their own . A Dainty fine Supper we had , and brought up unto us with speed But all the charge lay upon me , I paid for it soundly indeed : Now when she had sup'd I kist her , and she was as willing as I , But would to God that I had mist her , and her decay'd Gentility : Take heed of bad women therefore , by women are men overthrown , And rich men are often made Poor , when as they keep more then their own . Down stairs then softly she went , and call'for my Cloack-bag with speed This Harlot was surely bent , for to undoe me with speed , My night-cloaths are in it quoth she , such mischief in Harlots are rife , He gave her my Cloak-bag most free , as thinking she had been my wife : Take heed , &c. She cunningly slunk out of doors , when no body did her mind , I may bid a pot of all Whores , for leaving her Bastard behind : Now farewell my sevenscore pound , Lul-a-by must be my Song , I 'me left like a Horse in the pound , 't is I that must suffer the wrong : Take heed , &c. I call'd her to come unto bed , not thinking I had been undone , I lookt like a man had been dead , when as I perceiv'd she was gone : I fretted , I fum'd , and swore , the Child had got a new Dad ' And when I began for to rore , the people did think I was mad : Take heed , &c. The Chamberlain run up amain , sir , what is the matter , quoth he , O call back that woman again , for she hath quite ruined me : She leaveth her Bastard behind her , on purpose to shorten my life , O prithee see if thou canst find her , for why : she is none of my wife : Take heed , &c. But where is my Cloak-bag I pray , for their in lies all my gains : I gave it your wife by my fay , then would you were hang'd for your pains You called your wife and your honey , why should not your wife then be bold , To have the command of your money , your Cloak-bag , your Silver and Gold : Take heed , &c. The Child lay crying apace , and I lay swearing as fast , To understand rightly my case , the Inn keeper came at the last : When he understood the matter , he said he was glad 't was no worse , He told me that he would not flatter , for I must provide me a nurse : Take heed , &c. I 'm sorry you met with this Varlet , the cause of your sorrow and grief , But you would have made her your Harlot , if she had not proved a Chief : You wanted a bit for your Cat , to purge out your mad mallencholly , I pray you think wisely of that , for you have paid well for your folly : Take heed , &c. This was all the comfort he gave , I was never so beguil'd , The folks in the house did out-brave me , and bid me provide for my Child : I carried my Child unto Nurse , to end all the trouble and strife , With never a groat in my Purse , I went unto my Wife : Take heed , &c. No wonder that meat is so dear , the Grasier so pincheth the Poor , But now it doth it doth plainly appear , the Grasier maintaineth a Whore : Since Wenches so chargable are , the Grasier had need to be witty , If ever it should be his care , to fetch his loss out of the City . Take heed of bad women therefore , &c. FINIS .