436 THE WIFE LAPPED
0 ! good wife, cease, and let this ouerpasse : For all your great anger and hye wordes eake,
1 am mine owne selfe, euen as I was,
And to you will be louing, and also meeke;
But if ye should doe thus, as ye doe begin,
It may not continue no time ywys :
I would not let for kyth nor kin,
To make you mend all thinges that is amys.
Make me 1 mary, out vpon the dreuill, Sayest thou that ? wilte thou beginne ? I pray God and our Lady, that a foule euill Lyghten vpon thee and all thy kinne. By Gods deare blest, vex me no more, For if thou doe thou shalte repente ; I haue yet somewhat for thee in store. And with that a staffe in her hand she hent.
At him full soone then she let flee,
And whorled about her as it had bene a man :
Her husband then was fayne perdy
To voyde her stroake, and goe his way than.
By Gods deare mother, then gan she sweare,
From henceforth I will make thee bow;
For I will trim thee in thy geare,
Or else I would I were cald a sow.
Fye on all wretches that be like thee,
In worde or worke both lowde and still!
I sware by him that made man free,
Of me thou shalte not haue thy will,
Now nor neuer, I tell thee playne,
For I will haue Golde and riches ynow,
When thou shalte goe iagged as a simple swain,
With whip in hand at carte and plough.
Of that, my deare wife, I take no scorne, For many a goodman with minde and harte Hath gone to plough and carte beforne My time y wys, with payne and smarte,