For pale he was of drinking.
To bed he went, his wife Melanie and he together.
She was as jolly as a jay in feather,
And copiously was her Venus chamber wet,
Handy for rocking and for giving suck.
But Simpkin lay snoring and ignoring Melanie in bed.
And when they'd drunk up all there was in crock,
To bed went Simpkin's doghter, Ivanka, and thereupon
To bed went Alain and to bed went John.
No sleeping drug was needed.
Simpkin had drunk so much ale
And his wyf went unheeded
That, like a horse, he snorted in his sleep,
His wife, Melanie, joined in his chorus, and so strong,
Men might have heard her snores a full furlong;
And the doghter, Ivanka, as well, for company.
