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A Tankard of Ale |
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THERE WAS A POOR SMITH1
There was a poor smith lived in a poor toun, That had a loving wife bonny and brown, And though he were very discreet and wise, Yet he would do nothing without her advice ; His stock it grew low, full well did he know, He told his sweet wife what he intended to do, Quoth he, sweet wife, if I can prevail, I will shoe horses, and thou shalt sell ale.
I see by my labour but little I thrive
And that against the stream I do strive ;
By selling of Ale some money is got,
If every man honestly pays for his pot:
By this we may keep the wolf from the door,
And live in good fashion though now we live poor;
If we have good custom, we shall have quick sale,
So may we live bravely by selling of ale.
Kind husband, quoth she, let be as you said, It is the best motion that ever you made, A stan of good Ale let me have in, A dozen of good white bread in my Bin ;
1 From John Ashton's " Humour, Wit and Satire of the Seventeenth Century." This song was written by Humfrey Crowch, all of whose work was published from 1637 to 1687. To the tune of " Young man, remember delightg are but vain."
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