Around the blazing kitchen fire.

Then to beguile away the time,

He tells the kitchen nymphs his tale;

His left hand bears some doggrel rhyme,

And in his right—a pot of ale.

And hard must be that kitchen fair,

Who could his am’rous tale neglect;

And often Moll or Jenny dare,

For him some stouter swain reject.

Then weary to his garret hies,