The Devill being merry with laughing at this mirth, Would needs from hell come trotting, to fetch her from the earth; And coming like a horse, did tell this man his minde, Saying, Set her but astride my backe, Ile hurry her through the winde. Kinde Devill quoth the man, if thou a while will wait, Ile bid her doe that thing shall make her backe thee straight And here Ile make a vow for all she is my wife, Ile never send for her againe whilest I have breath or life. Content, the Devill cry'd, then to his wife goes he Good wife, goe lead that horse so black and fair you see. Goe leade, sir Knave, quoth she and wherefore not goe ride? She took the Devill by the reines, and up she goes astride. The Devill neighed lowd, and threw his heeles i' th' ayre, Kick, in the Devill's name, quoth she, a shrew doth never fear. Away to hell he went, with this most wicked scold, But she did curbe him with the bit, and would not loose her hold. The more he cry'd, Give way, the more she kept him in, And kickt him so with both her heeles, that both his sides were thin. Alight, the Devill cry'd, and quick the bridle loose, No I will ride (quoth she) whiles thou hast breath or shooes. Again she kickt and prickt, and sate so stiffe and well, The Devill was not so plagu'd a hundred years in hell. For pitty light (quoth he) thou put'st me to much paine, I will not light, (quoth she) till I come home againe. The Devill shewed her all the paines within that place, And told her that they were ordain'd for Scolds so base. Being bereft of breath, for scolding tis my due, But whilest I live on earth Ile be reveng'd on you. Then did she draw her knife, and gave his eare a slit, The Devill never felt the like from mortall yet. So fearing further danger, he to his heeles did take, And faster than he came, he poast hast home did make. Here take her (quoth the Devill) to keep her here be bold, For hell would not be troubled with such an earthly scold. When I come home, I may to all my fellowes tell, I lost my labour and my bloud to bring a scold to hell. The man halfe dead did stand, away the Devill hyde, Then since the world, nor hell, can well a Scold abide: To make a saile of ships let husbands fall to worke, And give their free consents to send them to the Turke. Then honest wives and maides, and widdowes of each sort, Might live in peace and rest, and Silence keep her court, Nor would I have a scold, one penny here bestow, But honest men and wives buy these before you goe. FINIS. Printed at London for Henry Gosson[F. 60] dwelling upon London Bridge. neare to the Gate. [Footnote 60: Henry Gosson published between 1607 and 1641.]