Will said to his Mammy, that he would go woe

Will saide to his mammy

That hee woulde goe woo,

Faine would he wed but he wot not who.

Soft a while my lammy stay, and yet abide.

Hee like a foole as he was replide:

In faith chil have a wife, a wife, a wife,

O what a life do I lead

For a wife in my bed

I may not tell you,

O there to have a wife, a wife, a wife,

Tis a smart to my hart,

Tis a racke to my backe and to my belly.

Scarcely was hee wedded,

Full a fortnighty space,

But that he was in a heavie case.

Largely was he headded,

And his cheekes lookt thinne:

And to repent he did thus beginne:

A figge for such a wife, a wife, a wife,

O what a life doe I lead,

With a wife in my bedde,

I may not tell you,

There to have a wife, a wife, a wife,

O tis a smart to my heart,

Tis a racke to my backe and to my belly.

All you that are Batchelers,

Be learnd by crying Will,

When you are well to remaine so still,

Better for to tarry,

And alone to lie,

Than like a foole with a foole to crie:

A figge for such a wife, a wife, a wife,

O what a life doe I leade,

With a wife in my bed,

I may not tell you,

O there to have a wife, a wife, a wife,

O tis a smart to my heart,

Tis a racke to my backe

And to my belly.