ANONYMOUS

I would be loth to see her pine.

Good husband, counsel take of me: It is not for us to go so fine

Man, take thine old cloak about thee!

He. My cloak it was a very good cloak,

It hath been always true to the wearj But now it is not worth a groat:

I have had it four and forty year*. Sometime it was of cloth in grain :

'Tis now but a sigh clout, as you may see: It will neither hold out wind nor rain;

And I'll have a new cloak about me.

She. It is four and forty years ago

Sine the one of us the other did ken ; And we have had, betwixt us two,

Of children either nine or ten : We have brought them up to women and men :

In the fear of God I trow they be. And why wilt thou thyself misken ?

Man, take thine old cloak about thee !

ffe. O Bell my wife, why dost thou flyte ?

Now is now, and then was then: Seek now all the world throughout,

Thou kens not clowns from gentlemen : They are clad in black, green, yellow and blue,

So far above their own degree. Once in my life I'll take a view;

For I'll have a new cloak about me.

cloth in grain] scarlet cloth. sigh clout] a rag for straining.

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