_The Merchant and the Fidler's_ WIFE.

[Music]

It was a Rich Merchant Man,
That had both Ship and all;
And he would cross the salt Seas,
Tho' his cunning it was but small.

The Fidler and his Wife,
They being nigh at hand;
Would needs go sail along with him,
From _Dover_ unto _Scotland_.

The Fidler's Wife look'd brisk,
Which made the Merchant smile;
He made no doubt to bring it about,
The Fidler to beguile.

Is this thy Wife the Merchant said,
She looks like an honest Spouse;
Ay that she is, the Fidler said,
That ever trod on Shoes.

Thy Confidence is very great,
The Merchant then did say;
If thou a Wager darest to bet,
I'll tell thee what I will lay.

I'll lay my Ship against thy Fiddle,
And all my Venture too;
So _Peggy_ may gang along with me,
My Cabin for to View.

If she continues one Hour with me,
Thy true and constant Wife;
Then shalt thou have my Ship and be,
A Merchant all thy Life.

The Fidler was content,
He Danc'd and Leap'd for joy;
And twang'd his Fiddle in merriment,
For _Peggy_ he thought was Coy.

Then _Peggy_ she went along,
His Cabin for to View;
And after her the Merchant-Man,
Did follow, we found it true.

When they were once together,
The Fidler was afraid;
For he crep'd near in pitious fear,
And thus to _Peggy_ he said.

Hold out, sweet _Peggy_ hold out,
For the space of two half Hours;
If thou hold out, I make no doubt,
But the Ship and Goods are ours.

In troth, sweet _Robin_, I cannot,
He hath got me about the Middle;
He's lusty and strong, and hath laid me along,
O _Robin_ thou'st lost thy Fiddle.

If I have lost my Fiddle,
Then am I a Man undone;
My Fiddle whereon I so often play'd,
Away I needs must run.

O stay the Merchant said,
And thou shalt keep thy place;
And thou shalt have thy Fiddle again,
But _Peggy_ shall carry the Case.

Poor _Robin_ hearing that,
He look'd with a Merry-chear;
His wife she was pleas'd, and the Merchant was eas'd,
And jolly and brisk they were.

The Fidler he was mad,
But valu'd it not a Fig;
Then _Peggy_ unto her Husband said,
Kind _Robin_ play us a Jigg.

Then he took up his Fiddle,
And merrily he did play;
The _Scottish Jigg_ and the _Horn pipe_,
And eke the _Irish Hey_.

It was but in vain to grieve,
The Deed it was done and past;
Poor _Robin_ was born to carry the Horn,
For _Peggy_ could not be Chast.

Then Fidlers all