The Cuckold's Dream. OR, The Comical Vision.  
Where in a slumber, Fancy doth impart,  
Strange whimsies which disturbs his jealous heart;  
Such delusions, Dreams do represent,  
To make him think his Wife is evilly bend:  
That when he is awake, he makes a pother,  
And swears there's none that's honest, not his Mother.  
To the Tune of, Your humble Servant Madam.  
 
 

When Flora with rich Tapestry  
The earth had all be-spangled,  
And Buds and Blossoms on each Tree,  
Most pleasantly they dangled;  
I walked to hear the Cuckoo sing  
For further observation.  
And sat down by a silver Spring,  
All for my recreation.   

As I lay slumbering on the Plain,  
All in that pleasant Season,  
Strange Fancy's did possess my brain,  
Which did disturb my Reason;  
Whilst Morpheus with his Leaden Mace,  
My senses were intransing,  
Methought I saw within that place  
Wonders about me dancing.   

Brave Troops of Gallants ●s; t along  
And Ladies of fine Feature:  
I could not tell within the throng  
Which was the comeliest Creature;  
With costly Robes of rich array  
They seemed to be attired,  
Like Venus on her wedding-day,  
When Mars her pomp admired.   

Amongst the rest, a Spark I spied  
Which here shall not be named,  
And in his hand a lovely Bride  
As ever Nature framed.  
They were so trim in ever limb,  
It much did please my fancy,  
I joyed to find, they were so kind,  
Not thinking it was Nancy.   

But having viewed them narrowly,  
I found unto my sorrow,  
This Youngster he did well agree  
To live upon the borrow.  
Since Dreams are Fables as we say,  
I'll tell you on my life sir,  
The party that was there that day  
Was my own married wife sir.   

O than thought I, if you be there  
I'll watch your water casting,  
And still they seemed to draw near,  
Not fearing Sparrow blasting.  
He did her kiss, and called her Miss,  
He was both spirit and valiant,  
And kindly she, said none but he  
Should ever be her Gallant.   

Methought I heard him call a Coach,  
and servants to attend her,  
Upon my right he did encroach,  
So much he did befriend her,  
Qouth he, this day, we'll see a Play  
At the Theatre Royal.  
Then up and go, it shall be so,  
I must have no denial.   

With that I struggled in my sleep,  
As thinking to prevent them,  
Mean time away they slily creep,  
I could not discontent them.  
Thought I, I'll have you by and by,  
when you return at leisure.  
And if I can conveniently  
I'll fit you for your pleasure.   

Methought I saw them both come back,  
As plain as I'd been waking.  
And then he had her to the Sack  
Which set my heart of aching;  
With costly wines, they chéerd their hearts  
And thought it was but reason  
Of every thing to share their parts  
That e'er was then in season.   

No sooner was the Banquet done,  
And that they had said Grace sir,  
And none but they were left alone,  
He kindly did embrace her.  
He gave her Rings which she liked well,  
And Bracelets made of Amber,  
But when his spirits began to swell,  
Then hay for a private Chamber.   

I could no longer then endure,  
My forces I did muster,  
And thought that I had slept secure,  
Yet when I waked I cursed her.  
No more I'd hear the Cuckoo sing,  
Her note shall not inchaunt me,  
Nor sleep by any purling Spring  
Where Hobgoblins do taunt me.   

Then homeward I did haste amain  
In hopes to have some kissing,  
But when that I came there again  
I found my wife was missing,  
Which put me into such a fret,  
I feared my Dream was true sir,  
Therefore my sorrows to forg●●  
I now shall bid adieu sir.   
F●NIS.   

LONDON, Printed for F. Cole, T. Vere, J. Wright, and J. Clark