The bad Husband's Reformation, OR, The Alewives daily Deceit.  
If thou in Folly thus proceed,  
what e'er you Earn to spend;  
When thou art in the greatest need,  
one Groat they will not lend.  
To the Tune of, My Life and my Death; Or, The poor man's Counsellor.  

This may be Printed,  
R. P.   
 
 

I Was a bad Husband, that had a good Trade,  
But I of the same such ill profit have made,  
By taking my pleasure in folly so large,  
I seldom or never took care of my Charge:  

This caused much sorrow and grief to my Wife,  
But now I'm resolved to lead a new Life.    

While I run to ruin, she would me advise,  
With tender expressions, and tears in her eyes,  
If thou wilt be ruled, I then will contrive,  
To do my endeavour in order to thrive:  

Still I ne'er regarded the words of my Wife▪  
Yet now, I'm resolved to lead a new Life.    

Your jovial Companions and Alewives, you'll find,  
When you are in trouble will prove most unkind;  
They'll laugh at your folly, and slight you like dirt,  
You'll find what I tell you is not for your hurt;  

In scorn I disdained to be ruled by my Wife,  
But now I'm resolved to lead a new Life.    

While I took my pleasure I'd ramble and roam,  
And never delighted to come to my home;  
In Gaming and Drinking I wasted my strength,  
Till I was reduced to sorrow at length;  

And then I remembered the words of my Wife,  
Resolving therefore for to lead a new Life.    

While I in Extravagant courses run on,  
The Alewife would call me a right honest Man,  
As long as I laboured and brought it her all,  
As likewise for Liquor most freely would call;  

She would take my part then against my poor Wife,  
But now I resolve for to lead a new life.    

At length I did chance to be out of Employ,  
And my Wife sore sick, I, and likely to die;  
And I having nothing in time of distress,  
My grief, care and sorrow, was great, you may guests:  

Because I had nothing to nourish my Wife,  
But now I'm resolved to lead a new life.    

Away to my Host I went with all speed,  
In hopes for to borrow a Crown in my need;  
And when I had told her my sorrowful Tale,  
It was but in vain, for I could not prevail,  

In borrowing a Tester to comfort my Wife,  
Therefore I resolved to lead a new life.    

Tho' then I had told her the depth of my grief,  
She would not afford me the least of relief;  
Her words was so killing when to me she spoke,  
I thought in my sorrows, my heart would have broke  

Then, than I remembered the words of my Wife,  
And therefore resolved to lead a new life.    

Now just as I was at the point of despair,  
Wrapped in those troubles of sorrows and care;  
Behold how good Providence than did provide,  
I got into Labour, whereon I relied;  

To bring in a daily supply to my Wife,  
And likewise resolved to lead a new life.    

And this did my grief and my troubles expel,  
My Wife she recovered, and all things went well,  
Now Love, Peace, and Plenty, does daily abound,  
I ne'er will forget how my Host she frowned;  

What ever I earn i'll bring home to my Wife,  
As being resolved to lead a new Life.    
FINIS.   

Printed for P. Brooksby, at the Golden-Ball in Pie-corner, near West-Smithfield.