Robert Burns

* * *

HUSBAND, husband, cease your strife,
  Nor longer idly rave, sir;
Tho’ I am your wedded wife,
  Yet I am not your slave, sir.

‘One of two must still obey,
  Nancy, Nancy;
Is it man or woman, say,
  My spouse Nancy?’

If ‘tis still the lordly word,
  Service and obedience;
I’ll desert my sov’reign lord,
  And so good-bye allegiance!

‘Sad shall I be, so bereft,
  Nancy, Nancy!
Yet I’ll try to make a shift,
   My spouse Nancy.’

My poor heart then break it must,
  My last hour I’m near it:
When you lay me in the dust,
  Think how you will bear it.

‘I will hope and trust in Heaven,
  Nancy, Nancy;
Strength to bear it will be given,
  My spouse Nancy.’

Well, sir, from the silent dead
  Still I’ll try to daunt you;
Ever round your midnight bed
  Horrid sprites shall haunt you.

‘I’ll wed another, like my dear
  Nancy, Nancy;
Then all hell will fly for fear,
  My spouse Nancy.