'Twas when fresh May her early blossoms yields, 290 This clerk and I were walking in the fields. We grew so intimate, I can't tell how,[23] I pawned my honour, and engaged my vow, If e'er I laid my husband in his urn,[24] That he, and only he, should serve my turn. 295 We straight struck hands, the bargain was agreed; I still have shifts against a time of need: The mouse that always trusts to one poor hole, Can never be a mouse of any soul. I vowed, I scarce could sleep since first I knew him, 300 And durst be sworn he had bewitched me to him; If e'er I slept, I dreamed of him alone, } And dreams foretell, as learned men have shown: } All this I said; but dreams, sirs, I had none: } I followed but my crafty crony's lore, 305 Who bid me tell this lie, and twenty more.[25] Thus day by day, and month by month we passed; It pleased the Lord to take my spouse at last. I tore my gown, I soiled my locks with dust, And beat my breasts, as wretched widows must.[26] 310 Before my face my handkerchief I spread, To hide the flood of tears I did not shed. The good man's coffin to the church was borne; Around, the neighbours, and my clerk too, mourn. But as he marched, good gods! he showed a pair 315 Of legs and feet, so clean, so strong, so fair! Of twenty winters' age he seemed to be; I, to say truth, was twenty more than he; But vig'rous still, a lively buxom dame; And had a wond'rous gift to quench a flame. 320 A conj'ror once, that deeply could divine, Assured me, Mars in Taurus was my sign. As the stars ordered, such my life has been: Alas, alas, that ever love was sin! Fair Venus gave me fire, and sprightly grace, 325 And Mars assurance, and a dauntless face. By virtue of this pow'rful constellation, I followed, always, my own inclination. But to my tale: A month scarce passed away, With dance and song, we kept the nuptial day. 330 All I possessed I gave to his command, My goods and chattels, money, house, and land: But oft repented, and repent it still;[27] He proved a rebel to my sov'reign will: Nay, once, by heav'n! he struck me on the face; 335 Hear but the fact, and judge, yourselves, the case.