A Trial of skill, performed by a poor decayed Gentlewoman,  
Who cheated a rich Grazier of Sevenscore pound, and left him a Child to keep. If you will know, then listen a while, | And you shall know that which will make you smile.  
The Tune is, Ragged-and Torn.  
 
 

Kind Countrymen lift to my Ditty,  
I pray you what ever you be,  
I know that my case you will pity,  
I pray then take warning by me:  
Sevenscore pounds I did lose,  
besides a fine Babe at Nurse:  
My Sweetheart she did me abuse,  
and left me no Coin in my Purse:  
Take heed of bad women therefore,  
by women are men overthrown,  
And rich men are often made Poor,  
when as they keep more than their own.   

I brought some cattle to Town,  
and sold them for Sevenscore pound;  
But money-less than I went home,  
with sorrow encompassed round:  
A dainty fine Cloak-bag I had,  
within it my treasure I laid,  
My fortune now maketh me sad,  
to think how that I was betrayed  
Take heed etc.   

As through Cheapside I did pass,  
mistrusting no manner of harm,  
I met with a proud decayed Lass,  
with a pretty fine Child in her arm:  
She seemed in habit, to be  
a Gentlewoman that was made poor,  
She asked relief then of me,  
than I thought to have made her my whore   

Quoth she, pray yield some relief,  
these words then unto me she said,  
Unto a poor wretch full of grief,  
a poor Gentlewoman decayed:  
Fair Mistress quoth I, I do grieve,  
to see you so distressed be,  
But I all your wants will relieve.  
if you will be ruled by me;  
Take heed, etc.   

Go with me unto my Inn,  
and there you shall lie at your ease,  
You never was brought up to Spin,  
but gentlemen's humours to please:  
I'll tell them that you are my wife,  
and this is my Child that you have,  
'Twas I that did bleed all the strife,  
and with myself played the Knave.  
Take heed, etc.   

She seemed to be overjoyed,  
and cast a Sheep's eye upon me,  
She could not be better employed,  
and so we did quickly agree:  
When unto the Inn I did come,  
her fingers did itch at my Pelf,  
I called for a large fair Room,  
for my Wife my Child and myself:  
Take heed of bad women therefore,  
by women are men overthrown,  
And rich men are often made poor,  
when as they keep more than their own.   

A Dainty fine Supper we had,  
and brought up unto us with speed  
But all the charge lay upon me,  
I paid for it sound indeed:  
Now when she had supped I kissed her,  
and she was as willing as I,  
But would to God that I had missed her,  
and her decayed Gentility:  
Take heed of bad women therefore,  
by women are men overthrown,  
And rich men are often made Poor,  
when as they keep more than their own.   

Down stairs then softly she went,  
and call'for my Cloack-bag with speed  
This Harlot was surely bend,  
for to undo me with speed,  
My night-cloaths are in it quoth she,  
such mischief in Harlots are rife,  
He gave her my Cloak-bag most free,  
as thinking she had been my wife:  
Take heed, etc.   

She cunningly slunk out of doors,  
when no body did her mind,  
I may bid a pot of all Whores,  
for leaving her Bastard behind:  
Now farewell my sevenscore pound,  
Lul-a-by must be my Song,  
I'm left like a Horse in the pound,  
'tis I that must suffer the wrong:  
Take heed, etc.   

I called her to come unto bed,  
not thinking I had been undone,  
I looked like a man had been dead,  
when as I perceived she was gone:  
I fretted, I fumed, and swore,  
the Child had got a new Dad '  
And when I began for to roar,  
the people did think I was mad:  
Take heed, etc.   

The Chamberlain run up amain,  
sir, what is the matter, quoth he,  
O call back that woman again,  
for she hath quite ruined me:  
She leaveth her Bastard behind her,  
on purpose to shorten my life,  
O prithee see if thou canst find her,  
for why: she is none of my wife:  
Take heed, etc.   

But where is my Cloak-bag I pray,  
for their in lies all my gains:  
I gave it your wife by my faith,  
then would you were hanged for your pains  
You called your wife and your honey,  
why should not your wife then be bold,  
To have the command of your money,  
your Cloak-bag, your Silver and Gold:  
Take heed, etc.   

The Child lay crying apace,  
and I lay swearing as fast,  
To understand rightly my case,  
the Inn keeper came at the last:  
When he understood the matter,  
he said he was glad 'twas no worse,  
He told me that he would not flatter,  
for I must provide me a nurse:  
Take heed, etc.   

I'm sorry you met with this Varlet,  
the cause of your sorrow and grief,  
But you would have made her your Harlot,  
if she had not proved a Chief:  
You wanted a bit for your Cat,  
to purge out your mad mallencholly,  
I pray you think wisely of that,  
for you have paid well for your folly:  
Take heed, etc.   

This was all the comfort he gave,  
I was never so beguiled,  
The folks in the house did outbrave me,  
and bid me provide for my Child:  
I carried my Child unto Nurse,  
to end all the trouble and strife,  
With never a groat in my Purse,  
I went unto my Wife:  
Take heed, etc.   

No wonder that meat is so dear,  
the Grazier so pincheth the Poor,  
But now it doth it doth plainly appear,  
the Grazier maintaineth a Whore:  
Since Wenches so chargeable are,  
the Grazier had need to be witty,  
If ever it should be his care,  
to fetch his loss out of the City.  
Take heed of bad women therefore, etc.   
FINIS.   

Printed for I. Wright, I. Clerk, W. Thackeray, and T. Passenger.