YOU that in merriment delight, Pray listen unto what I write; So shall you satisfa&tion find, It will cure a melancholy mind.

A damsel dwelt in Colchester, And there a clothier courted her. For three months space both night and day, But yet this damsel still said nay.

She said, were I to love inclin'd, Perhaps you soon may change your mind, And court some other damsel fair, For men are false I do declare.

He many protestations made, And like a loyal lover said, "There's none but you shall be my wife, "The joy and comfort of my life."

At length this maid gave her consent To marry him, and straight they went Unto their parents then, and who Both gave their leave and liking too.

But see the cursed fruits of gold! He left his loyal love, behold, With grief and love encompass'd round, While he a greater fortune found.

A lawyer's daughter fair and bright, Her parent's joy and whole delight, He was resolv'd to make his spouse, Denying all his former vows:

And when poor Kate she came to hear, That she must lose her only dear, And for the lawyer's daughter's sake, Some sport of him Kate tho't she'd make.

Kate knew when ev'ry night he came From his new love, Nancy by name; Sometimes at ten o'clock or more, Kate to a tanner went therefore,

And borrow'd there an old cow-hide, With crooked horns both large and wide, And when she wrap'd herself therein, Her new intrigue she did begin:

Kate to a lonesome field did stray, At length the clothier came that way; And he was sorely scar'd at her, She look'd so like old Lucifer.

A hairy hide, horns on her head, Which near three feet asunder spread; With that he saw a long black tail, He strove to run, but his feet did fail.

Then with a grum and doleful note She quickly seiz'd him by the coat, And said, "You leave poor Kate, I hear, "And woo the Lawyer's daughter dear,

"Since you have been so false to her, "You perjur'd knave of Colchester; "You shall, whether you will or no, "I my gloomy regions go."

This voice did sore affrighten him, So that he trembled ev'ry limb, Saying, "Master devil spare me now, "And I'll perform my former vow;

"I'll make young Kate my lawful bride." "See that you do," the devil cry'd; "If Kate against you doth complain, "Soon you shall hear from me again."

Then home he went, tho' very late, He little thought that it was Kate That set him into such a fright; Therefore next day by morning light,

He went to Kate and marry'd her, For fear of that old Lucifer. Kate's friends and parents tho't it strange, That there was such a sudden change.

Kate never let her parents know, Nor any other, friend or foe; 'Till she a year had marry'd been, And told it at her lying-in.

It pleas'd the women to the heart, They said she fairly play'd her part; Her husband laugh'd, as well as they; This was a joyful merry day.