"Why, dear, thou know'st," I said,
"How all which I could get,
"I gave it, and did spend it all
Upon thee every whit."
Quoth she, "Thou art a knave, 25
To charge me in this sort,
Being a woman of credit fair,
And known of good report.
"Therefore I tell thee flat,
Be packing with good speed; 30
I do defie thee from my heart,
And scorn thy filthy deed."
"Is this the friendship, that
You did to me protest?
Is this the great affection, which 35
You so to me exprest?
"Now fie on subtle shrews!
The best is, I may speed
To get a lodging any where
For money in my need. 40
"False woman, now farewell;
Whilst twenty pound doth last,
My anchor in some other haven
With freedom I will cast."
When she perceiv'd by this, 45
I had store of money there,
"Stay, George," quoth she, "thou art too quick:
Why, man, I did but jeer.
"Dost think for all my speech,
That I would let thee go? 50
Faith, no," said she, "my love to thee
I-wiss is more than so."
"You scorne a prentice boy,
I heard you just now swear:
Wherefore I will not trouble you:" 55
"Nay, George, hark in thine ear;
"Thou shalt not go to-night,
What chance soe're befall;
But man, we'll have a bed for thee,
Or else the devil take all." 60