THE SHREW

ALL over the ground the old black woman rolled,

And for not buying powder her husband did scold;

He bought her some powder, which she would not use,

And for not buying hemp him she'd soundly abuse;

He bought her some hemp, but she only got worse,

And scolded because he had not bought a horse;

He bought her a horse but she never would feed it,

And scolded because 'twas a clothes-press she needed;

He bought her a clothes-press, but nothing she packed,

And scolded because twas a rope that she lacked;

He bought her a rope and she hung herself dead,

And frightened her husband near out of his head.