THE Good Fellows Consideration. OR The bad Husband's Amendment.  

Here in this Ballad you may see,  
What 'tis a bad Husband to be,  
For drunkenness most commonly  
Brings many unto poverty.   

And when a man is mean and bare,  
Friends will be scarce both far and near,  
Then in your youth keep money in store,  
Lest in old age you do grow poor.   
To the Tune of, hay boys up go we, etc.  Lately written by Thomas Lanfiere, Of Watchat town in Somerset shire. 
 

GOOD Fellows all come lend an ear,  
and listen to my song,  
To you in brief I will declare  
how I have done myself much wrong  
By spending of my money too free,  
it brought me low and poor,  
But now a good Husband I will be,  
and keep my money in store.   

It is well known the fudling-school  
I have haunted many year;  
I wasted my money like a fool  
both in Wine and strong Beer:  
With my Companions day and night  
I'd both drink, sing, and roar,  
But now bad company I'll slight,  
and keep my money in store.   

In the morning sometimes to an Alehouse I'd hie,  
and tarry there all day,  
Perhaps a crown or an angel I  
at one reckoning would pay:  
My pocket of money I'd empty make,  
ere that I would give o'er,  
But now such actions I'll forsake,  
and keep my money in store.   

My hostess she would smile in my face  
when I did merrily call,  
For why, she knew I would not be base,  
but freely pay for all:  
Before the Flagon was quite out  
she'd be ready to fill more,  
But now I mean to look about,  
and keep my money in store.   

Sometimes she in a merry vein  
would sit upon my knee,  
And give me kisses one or twain,  
and all to sweeten me,  
She'd vow I was welcome indeed,  
and should be evermore,  
But now I mean for to take heed,  
and keep my money in store.   

Thus I frequented the Ale bench  
so long as my money would hold;  
Whilst my Wife & Children at home did pinch  
with hunger and with cold;  
So I had my guts full of Ale and Beer,  
I looked after nothing more,  
But now I mean to have a care,  
and keep my money in store,   

My wife would often me persuade  
and mildly to me say,  
Good loving husband follow your trade,  
and go not so astray:  
But with foul words I the her abuse,  
and call her bitch and whore,  
But now her counsel I will choose,  
and keep my money in store.   

At last through my lewd wicked vice  
I had consumed all,  
By drunkenness, with Cards and Dice  
my stock it was brought small:  
By keeping of bad company  
I was grown mean and poor,  
But now I'll leave bad husbandry,  
and keep my money in store.   

To my hostess one time I did repair,  
and desired one courtesy,  
To trust me for half a dozen of béer,  
but she did me deny:  
She told me she had made a vow  
to draw no drink on score,  
But I am fully resolved now  
to keep my money in store.   

Qd. she, the Maltman his money must have  
also I must pay excise,  
If I should trust every drunken knave  
where will my money rise?  
But if you have chink you may have drink,  
if you've none turn out of door,  
But now from the Alehouse I will shrink,  
and keep my money in store.   

Thus all good fellows you may s●e  
what 'tis to be in want,  
A man shall not regarded be  
if money is with him scant:  
But if money you have, they 〈◊〉 you brave,  
if you've none they will give o'er,  
Then be careful your money for to save,  
and lay it up in store.   

By experience 'tis plainly seen  
in England far and nigh,  
Those that rich wealthy men has been,  
at last come to poverty  
By spending too much in wine and beer  
there is many doth grow poor,  
Then good fellows have a special care,  
to keep your money in store.   

If all bad husbands were of my mind  
in country and in town,  
The Alewives a new trade should find,  
to pull their fat-sides down:  
They should work hard, both spin and carded,  
we would keep them so poor,  
And we would be careful our money to save,  
and lay it up in store.   

Now all you married men that are,  
and Bachelors so gay,  
Of the main chance pray have a care,  
lest you fall in decay:  
Be sure you time do highly prise  
't will not stay for rich nor poor,  
Good fellows all I you advise  
to keep your money in store,    

Printed for P. Brooksby at the golden Ball in West-Smithfield.