She is bound but won't obey, or, The Married man's complaint in choosing a wife desiring other young-men to have a care and to look before they leap : to the tune of, The West-country-delight.

She is bound but won't Obey ; Or , The married man's complaint in choosing a wife .

Desiring other Young-men to have a care , and to look before they leap .

To the Tune of , The West-Country-delight .

woodcut: domestic quarrel

Out Rogue spend thy ▪ Mony

O good wife

I Am a poor married man truly , and I lead a weary life , As I will plainly here declare , by marrying with a wife ; at bed and board , still word for word , she 'l give me two for one , You Married-Men and ▪ Batchelors , come listen to my song . I was a Batchelor void of care , and I had a good estate , And I forsooth must presently go seek me out a mate ; which ●t the last unto my cost , I light on such a one , Search all the country round about , the like is not agen . Now I will plainly here declare , unto your open view , And if that I were put to my oath , I 'le swear ▪ that it is true : then give good ear , while I declare , the wicked weary life , Which I sustain both night and day , by 〈…〉 rying with a Wife . Each morning I must rise b●times , to make my wife a fire , And also make her a posset too , if it be her desire : then up she 'l get , at ten a clock , whether it be day or no , Pray which of all you women-kind , are us'd for to do so . ANd when that she is up and drest , to the Ale-house she will trot , And there she 'l stay and be as drunk , as ever was a Rot ; with pipe and pot , she will stick to 't , while she can stand or go , Pray which of all you women-kind , are us'd for to do so . And when that she is drunk come home she 'l put me in such fears , She 'l pull my nose , and pinch my arms and wring me by the ears : by the hair of the head , out of the bed , she 'l pull me on the floar , And when that I have turn'd my back , she 's given to play the Whore . She 'l tall me Cuckold to my face , and I cannot it deny , But yet I know in our Town , there 's more as well as I : there 's Neighbour John , an honest man : but what if that he be , He may dry clouts upon his horns , as well as thee or me . I dare not in the Ale-house peep , no not for both my ears , But she will presently after creep , and put me in such fears : with the Flagon lid , upon my head , she 'l ring me such a pell , I think in heart that she is worse , then all the devils in hell . I must be man and Maid at home , and do the work within , And when that I have made the Chéese I must sit down and spin : which grieves me to the very heart , to think of the weary life , Which I sustain both night and day , by Marrying with a Wife . And when that she at supper sits , I must stand looking on , And after she hath eat the meat , then I must pick the bone : I cannot have one bit of bread , but what she doth me cut , And yet I 'le swear both day and night , she keeps me hard at work . What course to take I cannot tell , I lead such a weary life , That I could e'n find in my heart , to hang me with my knife ; or else go put on a clean shirt , and drown me immediately , That all young men both far and near may example take by me . You Batchelors all both great & small , example take by me , And when you look these lines upon , think on my misery ; and also look before you leap , for fear you catch a fall , If your wives proves no better thine mine I would they were buried all . you Married-men that have good wives I would wish you make much of them And also see in any wise , you do not seek to wrong the● ; for a good Wife , upon my life , is worth both Gold and Pearl , And happy is that Married man , that ligh●s on such a Girl . FINIS .