King Stephen was a worthy peer;
    His breeches cost him but a crown;
He held them sixpence all too dear,
    Therefore he called the tailor ‘lown’.
He was a king and wore the crown,
    And thou’se but of a low degree:
It’s pride that puts this country down:
    Man, take thy old cloak about thee!

He.

Bell my wife, she loves not strife,
    Yet she will lead me, if she can;
And to maintain an easy life
    I oft must yield, though I’m goodman.
It’s not for a man with a woman to threap,⁴
    Unless he first give o’er the plea:
As we began, so will we keep,
    And I’ll take my old cloak about me.