My Wife Is Dead

My wife I loved is dead,

Satis tarde quidem,
All my hopes have fled,

Debuisset pridem.
As housewife she was fine

Cuncta dissipavit,
She hated beer and wine

But semper potavit-
Oh! thou most cruel death.

Cum sero venisti?
Where's my Elizabeth!

Quam bene fecisti!
To church I wend my way,

Adibo popinam!
And for her soul Ell pray,

Moerorem deponam!
I wish she would return.

Quod Deus avertat.
Ed fast, my meals I'd spurn,

Ut ibi maneat.
Ed hold her in esteem.

Crinium tractibus,
To kiss her, my one dream

Per dorsum fustibus
What am I now to do?

Ducam pulchriorem,
I'll say to the world adieu,

Quaeram meliorem!