Godspeed, all good Freepers and such well-met fellows!

Marriage, An Ode

There was an old farmer in Sussex did dwell
There was an old farmer in Sussex

And he had a bad wife, as many knew well,
There was an old farmer in Sussex

Then Satan came to the old man at the plough
"One of your family I must have now."

"It is not your eldest son that I do crave,
But 'tis your old wife, and she I will have."

"Oh! welcome, good Satan, with all my heart;
I hope you and she will never more part!"

Now Satan he got the old wife on his back,
And he lugged her along like a pedlar's pack.

He trudged away till he came to his gate,
Says he, "Here, take an old Sussex man's mate."

"Oh ! then she did kick all the young imps about;
Says one to the other, "Let's try turn her out!"

She spied seven devils, all dancing in chains,
She up with her pattens and knocked out their brains.

She knocked old Satan against the wall—
"Let's try turn her out or she'll murder us all."

Now he's bundled her up on his back amain,
And to her husband he's took her again;

"I've been a tormentor the whole of my life,
But I ne'er was tormented till I took your wife."