Unmuzzle the broad joke,
Let bawdy comment flow,
Let the pet slave who shared
His master's pillow throw
Nuts to the boys: he's heard
The news that she's preferred.

You pampered bedroom pet,
Throw walnuts to the boys.
You've played for long enough
With nuts, you've outgrown toys.
Throw walnuts: you must bow
To Hymen's mastery now.

Slave-boy, the other day
No simple bailiff's wife
Seemed good enough for you.
But now the barber's knife
Scrapes off your beard. Too bad!
Scatter the nuts, poor lad!

And you, spruce, perfumed groom —
They say that you can't trust
Yourself to give your smooth-
Cheeked boys up: yet you must.
Sing " Hymen, Hymen", sing
The god of marrying!