I would advise each to be wise,
And chuse a prudent wife.

Since bundling is not the thing,
That judgments will procure,
Go on young men and bundle then,
But keep your bodies pure.

(Printed and sold by Nathaniel Coverly, Jun. Boston.)


The foregoing version is evidently not complete, several verses having
been left out on account of their containing _more truth than poetry_,
but these may be supplied from a manuscript copy, evidently made from
memory, with considerable variations from the printed copy, which by no
means improve it, though the schoolmaster did his best, and probably
saved for us a very complete version of the ballad as it passed from
mouth to mouth before the printed copy was made.

It was transcribed from a volume of manuscript ballads in the
handwriting of Israel Perkins, of Connecticut, written in 1786, when he
was eighteen years old, and teaching school.


THE WHORE ON THE SNOW CRUST.

1. Adam at first was formed of dust,
As we find on record;
And did receive a wife cal'd Eve,
By a creative word.