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.