TOBIA'S ADVICE, Or, A Remedy for a ranting Youngman.  
While you are single you take but little care,  
Therefore I say better you married were,  
Perhaps there's some at this will make a Jest,  
But I say still a married Life is best.  
Therefore youngmen take this Advice of me  
Better take one than run to two or three.  
Tune of, Daniel Cooper.  By Tobias Bowne. 
 

ON May morning as I walked forth,  
I to myself was musing;  
Thought I what a fool am I intruth  
that I so long am choosing,  
For Maids enough are to be had,  
I to myself was thinking,  
Sure I will have one good or bad,  
to keep me out of drinking.   

Yet some there be have said to me,  
a single life is gallant;  
But where is he that I can see  
that lays up any Talant?  
They'll say we'll live so all our life,  
for marriage we'll prevent it;  
But where is he without a wife  
that can live well contented.   

For marriage is a thing ordained  
and what man can deny it?  
If my true-love doth constant prove,  
I am resolved to try it:  
He that doth live a single life,  
I count a simple action,  
But if you get a loving Wife,  
that will be satisfaction.   

I pray observe what I do speak,  
you'll say these lines are witty;  
How many hearts you cause to break  
in Country, Town and City,  
And then you think to cast it off,  
and turns it to a laughter;  
You think that you do well enough,  
but pray mark what comes after.   
 
 

When I was young I did the like,  
than I was brisk and bonny;  
Sometimes walk abroad all night,  
and so spent all my money,  
But now I see its vanity,  
i'll strive for to prevent it,  
I'll go no more to seek a Whore,  
I'm with my wife contented.   

All you stand by I ask you why  
that Marriage should be slighted;  
Sure you may say as well as I  
young men are oversighted:  
But here you run and there you run,  
and count yourselves brave fellows,  
But if that One you had at home,  
she'd keep you from the Alehouse.   

A youngman said that he would wed  
but he aimed at promotion;  
He fain would have a wife in Bed,  
but not without a portion:  
I called him fool unto his face,  
I did not like his speeches;  
Said I, take thou a virtuous Lass,  
she's better far than Riches.   

If once you get a loving mate,  
and you abroad are ranting,  
You'll think why shall I stay out late,  
my wife she finds me wanting;  
I will haste home unto my choice,  
she shall not for me tarry:  
And if you will take my advice,  
I think it good to marry.   

And then you may live happily  
be but a little thrifty;  
Sure if you spend your time away  
till you do mount to fifty,  
And then a wife you chance to have,  
you may become a Father;  
You'll say what money might I have saved,  
had I been married rather.   

And so I bid you all adieu,  
I hope you don't deny me,  
I do not speak to you or you,  
but all that stand here by me,  
It's but a penny once your life,  
the Balla's ready for ye;  
And so I wish you a good wife  
when that you chance to marry.    

Printed for P. Brooksby in Py-corner.