What is life without a wife

What is life without a wife?

I'll tell you since you ask it,

A thorny bower without one flower,

An empty jewel casket.

What is life without a wife?

A march without the music,

Oh what is life without a wife?

A fever without physic.

What sort is joy without a boy?

I think that I can tell it,

'Tis just a rose without a nose

Or eye to see or smell it.

Oh what is joy without a boy?

A door without a rapper,

O what is life without a wife?

A bell without a clapper.

If that be so we'd like to know

From you inconstant rovers,

If all intend their ways to mend

And live like faithful lovers?

You hear, you hear, come answer clear,

All you inconstant rovers!

We do intend our ways to mend

And live like faithful lovers.

Come now, will you, coquettes untrue,

Renounce your roving fancies,

And just employ upon one boy

Your smiles and sighs and glances?

They will. Be Still! We will, they will

Renounce our/their roving fancies

And just employ upon one boy

Our/their smiles and sighs and glances.