Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

HE THAT MARRIES A MERRY LASS by ANONYMOUS

Last Line: HE HAD BETTER BE WITHOUT HER
HE that marries a merry lass,
He has most cause to be sad:
For let her go free in her merry tricks,
She'll work his patience mad.
But he that marries a scold, a scold,
He has most cause to be merry:
For when she's in her fits,
He may cherish his wits,
With singing, hey down derry!
He that weds a roaring girl,
That will both scratch and fight,
Though he study all day
To make her away,
Will be glad to please her at night.
And he that copes with a sullen wench,
That scarce will speak at all,
Her doggedness more
Than a scold or a whore
Will penetrate his gall.
He that's matched with a turtle dove,
That has no spleen about her,
Shall waste so much life,
In love of his wife,
He had better be without her.



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