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 will 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, 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 deadStill I'll try to daunt you;Ever round your midnight bedHorrid sprites shall haunt you.

'I'll wed another, like my dearNancy, Nancy;Then all hell will fly for fear,My spouse, Nancy.'