So I by wiles bewitcht,
And snar'd with fancy still,
Had then no power to 'get' away,
Or to withstand her will.
For wine on wine I call'd, 65
And cheer upon good cheer;
And nothing in the world I thought
For Sarah's love too dear.
Whilst in her company,
I had such merriment, 70
All, all too little I did think,
That I upon her spent.
"A fig for care and thought!
When all my gold is gone,
In faith, my girl, we will have more, 75
Whoever I light upon.
"My father's rich; why then
Should I want store of gold?"
"Nay, with a father, sure," quoth she,
"A son may well make bold." 80
"I've a sister richly wed;
I'll rob her ere I'll want."
"Nay then," quoth Sarah, "they may well
Consider of your scant."
"Nay, I an uncle have; 85
At Ludlow he doth dwell;
He is a grazier, which in wealth
Doth all the rest excell.
"Ere I will live in lack,
And have no coyn for thee, 90
I'll rob his house, and murder him."
"Why should you not?" quoth she.
"Was I a man, ere I
Would live in poor estate,
On father, friends, and all my kin, 95
I would my talons grate.
"For without money, George,
A man is but a beast:
But bringing money, thou shalt be
Always my welcome guest. 100