The merry Old woman: OR,  
This is a good Old Woman,  
This is a merry Old Woman,  
Her counsel is good I'll warrant,  
For she doth wish ill to no Man.  
To the tune, This is my granam's deedle.  
 
 

COme hither good-fellows, come hither,  
Good counsel if you will learn it,  
I here in a Song will show it,  
If you have but wit to discern it.  
O this is a good old Woman,  
O this is a merry old Woman,  
Her counsel is good I'll warrant,  
For she doth wish ill to no man.   

He that doth woo a Maiden,  
Must use sometimes to flatter,  
And he that would woo a widow,  
Must seriously speak good matter.  
O this is a good old Woman, etc.   

He that would have a Woman  
Dificious unto his humour,  
Must always be loving unto her,  
And be no vain consumer.  
O this is a good old Woman, etc.   

She that would please her Parents,  
Must her affections bridle,  
And still have a care however,  
To shun all company idle.  
O this is a good old Woman, etc.   

And she that would have a Husband,  
Merry to sing, with a fadding,  
No cause of distaste must give him  
Abroad for to go gadding.  
O this is a good old Woman, etc.   

He that would gain true honour,  
Must hate to be a coward:  
And he that would live in quiet,  
Must marry no widow that's froward.  
O this is a good old Woman, etc.   

And he that would eat, must labour,  
And carefully follow his calling:  
And he that a Scold doth marry,  
she'll vex him all day with her brawling.  
O this is a good old Woman, etc.   

She that would fain be married,  
And wants both ●ortion and beauty,  
Must unto her Master and Mistress  
Owe good respect and duty,  
O this is a good old Woman, etc.   

To gain their loves and favour,  
Then may she hope the better,  
To get a kind Husband will love her,  
To toil then, he will not let her.  
O this is a good old Woman, etc.   

He that would seek preferment,  
Must neatly usher a Lady,  
And wear good clothes for his credit,  
And still at a call be ready.  
O this is a good old Woman,  
O this is a merry old Woman,  
Her counsel is good I'll warrant,  
For she doth wish ill to no man,   

The second part,  
To the same tune.  
 
 

ANd he that would be a Courtier,  
Must be with good parts adorned,  
To please his Master's humour,  
Or else he shall be scorned.  
O this is a good old Woman,  
O this is a merry old woman,  
Her counsel is good I'll warrant,  
For she doth wish ill to no man.   

She that would have no scandal  
Or imputation on her,  
Must not frequent a bordello,  
But chaste Diana honour.  
O this is a good old Woman, etc.   

Brave girls ● there be a many  
Go richly in their apparel,  
Which makes the roaring Gallants,  
About them so to quarrel.  
O this is a good old Woman, etc.   

He that would be no Cuckold,  
Then let him never marry,  
It were a horn-plague unto him,  
A jealous mind to carry.  
O this is a good old Woman, &c.   

And he that would raise his fortunes,  
Being poor left by his Dady:  
He must be stout and valiant,  
Faint heart ne'er won fair Lady.  
O this is a good old Woman.   

He that would be a scholar,  
Must hate your drinks that is muddy:  
But a cup of good Canary  
Will make him the better t● study.  
O this is a good old Woman, etc.   

And he that would be a Poet,  
Must no ways be stock-pated:  
His ignorance i● he show it,  
He shall of all scholars be hated.  
O this is a good old Woman, etc.   

He that would be a Goodfellow,  
Of means must be prepared:  
If that he love drink and Tobacco,  
Or else he shall be feared.  
O this is a good old Woman, etc.   

He that would be a tailor,  
Must active be and nimble:  
And he that would be a goodliver,  
Most hate to lie and dissemble.  
O this is a good old Woman, etc.   

He that would be a Musician,  
Must neatly run division,  
To humour each jovial Gallant,  
Or else he is held in derision.  
O this is a good old Woman, etc.   

And he that would strive for riches,  
Or how to get a good marriage,  
Must still in his carriage be wary,  
That nothing his credit disparage.  
O this is a good old Woman, etc.   

And he that would learn true goodness,  
Must daily himself endeavour,  
To hate all wicked lewdness,  
And still in all grace persever.  
Oh this is a good old Woman,  
O this is a merry old Woman,  
Her counsel is good I'll warrant,  
For she doth wish ill to no man.    Robert Guy. 
FINIS.   

Printed at London for F. Coules dwelling Old Baily.