She.
It is four and fortye yeeres agoe
Since the one of us the other did ken,
And we have had betwixt us towe35
Of children either nine or ten;
Wee have brought them up to women and men;
In the feare of God I trow they bee;
And why wilt thou thyselfe misken?[839]
Man, take thine old cloake about thee.40
He.
O Bell my wiffe, why dost thou 'floute!'[840]
Now is nowe, and then was then:
Seeke now all the world throughout,
Thou kenst not clownes from gentlemen.
They are cladd in blacke, greene, yellowe, or 'gray',[841]45
Soe far above their owne degree:
Once in my life Ile 'doe as they,'[842]
For Ile have a new cloake about mee.
She.
King Stephen was a worthy peere,[843]
His breeches cost him but a crowne,[844]50
He held them sixpence all too deere;[845]
Therefore he calld the taylor Lowne.[846][847]
He was a wight of high renowne,[848]
And thouse[849] but of a low degree:
Itt's pride that putts this countrye downe,55
Man, take thine old cloake about thee.
He.
'Bell my wife she loves not strife,[850]
Yet she will lead me if she can;
And oft, to live a quiet life,
I am forced to yield, though Ime good-man:'60
Itt's not for a man with a woman to threape,[851]
Unlesse he first give oer the plea:
As wee began wee now will leave,[852]
And Ile take mine old cloake about mee.[853]