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.’