I was a constant faithful wife
Every temptation scorning
And shall be constant all my life
In mourning, mourning, mourning.

Defend my husband if you can
What words could you praise him in?
A woman loves one man,
My man loved... women, women, women.

The dark, the fair, the slim, the stout
Tall, middle-sized and small
With brains - and frequently without -
He loved them all, all, all.

How should a loyal wife react
Who in his desk discovers
One hundred letters (neatly stacked)
From lovers, lovers, lovers?

What could a poor weak woman do
But humour his caprices
When acts more suited to a zoo
Took place with neighbours' nieces.

I smiled, I turned the other cheek
I never once a grouse made
Except the day he tried to wreak
His will upon my housemaid, housemaid, housemaid!

I was a constant faithful wife
Every temptation scorning
And shall be constant all my life
In mourning, mourning, mourning.