The married wives Complaint of her unkind Husband, OR, A Caution for Maids to beware how they marry,  
Here you may see in midst of all the strife,  
A cross-graind Husband, and Obedient wife:  
Patience perforce cures a Mad Dog they say,  
So now she's bound, she knows she must obey.  

To a very pleasant new tune, or, jonny armstrong, or True love rewarded with Loyalty.  
 

COme all young Maids that are to Wed,  
mark well the words that I shall say,  
Before you come to the Marriage bed,  
for when you are bound you must obey.   

Whilst I did lead a single life,  
I had my pleasure every day,  
I never knew what belonged to strife,  
But now I am bound I must obey.   

I wish I had a Maid remained,  
milking the Cows, and making Hay,  
But 'tis too late to call what's past,  
for now I am bound I must obey.   

Since that I have been made a Wife,  
I am tormented day by day,  
Which makes me weary of my life,  
but as I am bound I must obey.   
 

Early in the morning when I do rise,  
to make my Cheese, and set my UUhey,  
Leaving my Husband in bed alone,  
for as I am bound I must obey.   

'tis almost Noon when he doth rise,  
then to the Alehouse he takes his way,  
And leaves me at home to eat barley-bread,  
for as I am bound I must obey.   

If I go beg of him with tears,  
and say good Husband come away,  
The pots than fyes about my ears,  
for as I am bound I must obey.   

He cries you baggage get you home,  
and mind your knitting there I say,  
For I will make you for to know,  
that as you are bound you must obey.    

The second Part, to the same Tune,  
 

THen am I glad for to be gone,  
for to avoid a further fray,  
And to my neighbours make my moan  
for as I am bound I must obey.   

'tis late at night when he comes home,  
reeling and staggering all the way,  
His wits is gone, and his money's spent,  
but as I am bound I must obey.   

Then I cry sweetheart le's go to bed  
the Moon is down, and it's almost day,  
I'll tie a Napkin about thy head,  
for as I am bound I must obey.   

I had far rather lie alone,  
when he is drunk, I dare to say;  
Snorting, and Snoreing is all that's done,  
yet as I am bound I must obey.   

'Twould make a woman almost mad,  
to be thus vexed night and day,  
But remedy none can be had,  
for as I am bound I must obey.   

Next morning when that he doth rise,  
instead of work, he goes to play  
Thus daily he my patience tries,  
but as I am bound I must obey.   
 

Small Children God hath sent us three▪  
I wash and mend them every day,  
My case is hard, as hard may be,  
but now I am bound I must obey.   

A fair Estate he hath me spent,  
and sent it packing all away,  
But it's too late now to repent,  
for as I am bound I must obey.   

When first we both together came,  
than we had gold and silver store,  
But the gold is gone, and the silver's spent▪  
and now we must to work for more.   

He may go far yet turn at last,  
for so the Proverb old doth say,  
And make amends for all that's past,  
but as I am bound I must obey.   

Let Maidens all beware in time,  
example take by me, I say,  
I was, as you are, in my prime,  
but now I am bound I must obey.   

Far better had I buried been,  
than thus for to be cast away:  
Then had I never sorrow seen,  
but now I am bound I must obey.    
Finis.   

Printed for P. Brooksby at the Goldee-ball in West-smithfield, near the Hospital-gate.