Ye Dunmow Flitch The Oath June 20th 1751 - May 24 1904

TITLE: The Oath
CAPTION: Reproduced from an original Print by Fred Spalding, Chelmsford.
SIZE: Standard Sized
PUBLISHED BY: Fred Spalding, Photographer, Chelmsford
POSTCARD ID #: [147
POSTMARK: MY 24 04
Mailed to West Hill, Hastings, Sussex

THE OATH
You shall swear by custom of confession,
That you ne'er made nuptial transgression;
Nor, since you were married man and wife,
By household brawls, or contentious strife,
Or otherwise at bed or board,
Offended each other in deed or in word,
Or since the parish clerk said, Amen,
Wished yourselves unmarried again,
Or in twelvemonth and a day,
Repented in thought any way,
But continue true in thought and desire,
As when you joined hands in holy quire.
If to these conditions without all fear,
Of your own accord you will freely swear,
A whole gammon of bacon you shall receive,
And bear it hence with love and good leave:
For this is our custom at Dunmow well known,
Tho' the pleasure be ours, the bacon's your own.

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