England's jests refin'd and improv'd being a choice collection of the merriest jests, smartest repartees, wittiest sayings, and most notable bulls yet extant, with many new ones never before printed to which are added XIII ingenious characters drawn to the life
Crouch, Humphrey, fl. 1635-1671.
225.
A Fidler boasting what a chaste Wife he had: says a Gentleman, I'll lay my House against thy Fiddle, that if I have opportunity, I'll get her con∣sent to lie with her: the Wager was laid, and he had the Fidlers consent to try; but the Fidler went in the mean time, and sung this Song under the Window:
Hold out, my Dear, hold o•t;
Hold out, but these two hours:
Page 105If you hold out, there is no doubt
But the House, and all is ours.
To which his Wise answered:
I Faith sweet William I cannot,
He has caught me about the Middle:
He hath me Won, thou art undon,
Sweet William thou'st lost thy Fiddle.
