Husband, Husband, Cease Your Strife
Husband, husband, cease your strife,
Nor longer idly rave, sir;
Tho’ I am your wedded wife,
Yet I am not your slave, sir.
‘One of two must still obey,
Nancy, Nancy;
Is it man or woman, say,
My spouse Nancy?’
If ’tis still the lordly word,
Service and obedience;
I’ll desert my sov’reign lord,
And so good-bye allegiance!
‘Sad shall I be, so bereft,
Nancy, Nancy!
Yet I’ll try to make a shift,
My spouse Nancy.’
My poor heart then break it must,
My last hour I’m near it:
When you lay me in the dust,
Think how you will bear it.
‘I will hope and trust in Heaven,
Nancy, Nancy;
Strength to bear it will be given,
My spouse Nancy.’
Well, sir, from the silent dead
Still I’ll try to daunt you;
Ever round your midnight bed
Horrid sprites shall haunt you.
‘I’ll wed another, like my dear
Nancy, Nancy;
Then all hell will fly for fear,
My spouse Nancy.’