VLOS-ANGEL flfcern? Songe at^ Ballad NATIONAL BALLAD AND SONG /lfterr£ Songs ano Ballaos PRIOR TO THE YEAR A.D. 1800 EDITED BY JOHN S. FARMER VOLUME IV PRIVATELY PRINTED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY MDCCCXCVII //?7 I N D EX TO VOL. IV AUTHORS, TITLES, FIRST LINES, REFRAINS, AND SOURCES. Akeroyde (Samuel) 132 Alex. Don's Strathspey, Sir (Tune) 270 "All you that either hear or read" [Pills to Purge Melancholy, c. 1720) 243 "All you that Lovers be " (Rawlinson MS., c. 1600-20) 1 "Amongst the pure ones all " [Pills to Purge Melan- choly, 1707) 74 " And something else, but what I dare not name " (Refrain) 97 Anna (R. Burns, Merry Muses, 1793) 264 "As att noone Dulcina rested" {Percy Folio MS., 1620-50) 5 As fair Olinda sitting was " {Pills to Purge Melan- choly, 1707) 176 " As I came down yon water-side " (Musical Mis- cellany, c. 1 731) 262 A' that, an' a' that (Tune) 279 "At London che've bin" {Pills to Purge Melan- choly, c. 1707) 175 <• vi INDEX "At Winchester was a Wedding " (T. Durfey, 1684) 48 Banks of Banna, The (Tune) 264 Bath, The 72 Beggar's delight, The c. 1695) 56 " Beneath a green shade I fand a fair maid " (Mu- sical Miscellany and Merry Muses of Caledonia) 261 " Blame not a woman although shee bee Lewd " (Percy Folio MS., 1620-50) 22 "Blowzabella my bouncing Doxie" (The Italian Song call'd Pastorella; made into English, T. DuRFEY, c. 1707) 76 "Bonny grey Ey'd Morn began to peep," The [A Broadside Song, by J. Clarke, 1698) .... 65 " Bonny Lass gin thou wert mine " (Pills to Purge Melancholy, c. 1707) 174 Buchanan 260 Burns (Robert) 261, 264, 266, 268, 270, 272, 273 274. 2 75- 277, 279- 2gl "Can any one tell what I ayle" (Percy Folio MS. 1620-50) 2 4 Carey (Henry) 239 Catherine, The (Tune) 1 47 Chappell, English Songs 5 Popular Music 79» I2 7 Chivy Chacc (Tune) * 2 4 Choice Airs; see Playford. Clarke (J.) 65, 72,97,216, 241 " Clock had struck, faith I cannot tell what, The " . 79 Clout the Cauldron (Tune) 273 INDEX vii " Come all, great, small, short, tall" (T. DuRFEY, Don Quixote, 1696) 60 "Come Jug, my Honey, let's to bed " {Pills to Purge Melancholy, c. 170") 189 " Comely Dame of Islington, A " (Pills to Purge Melancholy, c. 1720) 225 Consent at Last (Pills to Purge Melancholy, c. 1707) 132 Constant Couple 67 Country Wake, The (Pills to Purge Melancholy, c- 1707) 162 Courtier and Country Maid, The (Pills to Purge Melancholy, c. 1720) 243 " Courtiers, Courtiers, think it no harm " (A Broad- side Song, c. 1695) r6 Court of Equity, The (Burxs, c. 1796) 281 Coy Lass dress'd up in her best Commode and Top Knot, The (Pills to Purge Melancholy, c. 1709) 217 Crabb, The Sea {Percy Folio MS., c. 1620-50). . 14 Crab-tree, The (1707) IOO , Cuddy, Miss (Pills to Purge Melancholy, c. 1720) 232 Cure for the Green-sickness Maid, A (c. 1707) . . 176 " Danger is over, the Battle is past, The " (Pills to Purge Melancholy, c. 1 707) 173 Dearest of the Quorum, The (Tune) 264 " Dear Pickaninny, if half a Guinny " (Pills to Purge Melancholy, c. 1707) 187 Description of Weomcn (Rawlinson MS., 1610-20). 1 Disappointed Taylor, The (Pills to Purge Melancholy, c - I720) 227 Disappointment, The (Pills to Purge Melancholy, viii INDEX c. 1707) 79 Dissenting Parson's Text under the Quaker's Petticoats (Sub-title) 203 "Dolly come be Brisk and Jolly" {Pills to Purge Melancholy, 1707) I7 8 "Do not rumple my Top-Knot" (Pills to Purge Melancholy, c. 1709) 217 Don Quixote (T. Durfey) 52, 60, 63 "Downe in the medow, the river running clear" {Rawlinson MS., 1610-20) 4 " Downe sate the shepeard swaine " {Percy Folio MS., 1620-50) 26 Dulcina (Sir Walter Raleigh) 5 Duncan Davidson {Merry Muses of Caledonia, b. 1796) 272 Dunmore Kate (Pills to Purge Melancholy, 1707) . 94 Durfey (T.) 44, 46, 48, 52, 60, 63, 72, 76, 121, 156 193, 241, 248, 254 " Early in the dawning of a Winter's morn " {Pills to Purge Melancholy, c. 1700) 7° East Nook 0' Fife (Tune) 274 Eccles (John) 5 2 Erroch Brae {b. 1796) 270 Fare for a Hackney-coachman, A (Sub-title) . . . 208 Farquhar (G.) °7 Female Scuffle, The {Pills to Purge Melancholy, c. 1709) 2I2 Fond Husband (Durfey) 44 " Forego me noiv, come to me soon " (Refrain) . . 5 INDEX ix "For love was all her play" (Refrain) 92 Frank (Mr.) 223 " ffreind of mine not long agoe, A " {Percy Folio MS., 1620-50) 9 Gillian of Croydon (Durfey, Pills to Purge Me- lancholy, c. 1707) 156 " Good Neighbour why do you look awry" {Pills to Purge Melancholy, c. 1 707) 168 Good Work done for Nothing (Sub-title) 227 Green Gown, The {Pills to Purge Melancholy, c. 1 707) 127 " Hark the Cock crow'd, 'tis day all abroad" (T. Durfey, c. 1720) 241 Harlot unmasked, The {c. 1707) 11 1 " Heaven first created Woman to be kind" {Pills to Purge Melancholy, c. 1707) 171 "Here a Scratch, there a Stitch, &c." (Refrain) . 227 " Hey ho, hey ho, my Heart's delight " (Refrain). 82 Hopeful Bargain, The {Pills to Purge Melancholy, c 1709) 208 " How Happy's the Husband " {Love Triumphant, !694) 54 " How happy the State does the Damsel Possess " (*■ I707) in "I am a bard of no regard" (R. Burns, Jolly Beggars, b. 1796) 279 "I am a Lover and 'tis true " {Pills to Purge Melan- choly, 1707) 166 " I'll sing you a Song of my Mistriss that's pretty " (Pills to Purge Melancholy 1707) 92 x INDEX " In January last, on Munnonday at Morn" (Dur- FEY's Fond Husband, 1676) 44 " In our Country, and in your Country " {Pills to Purge Melancholy, 1707) 1 62 "In the long Vocation " [Pills to Purge Melancholy, 1707) 136 " In the pleasant month of May " (Pills to Purge Melancholy, c. 1707) 147 "In Truth and Honour's name, — Amen" (R. Burns, c. 1796) 281 "Instead of our Buildings and Castles so brave" (Pills to Purge Melancholy, 1707) 164 " I once was a maid, tho' 1 cannot tell when" (R. Burns) 275 Irish Hallaloo, The (c. 1707) 164 Irish Jigg, The (Pills to Purge Melancholy, c. 1707) 18 1 Island Princess, The 216 "It is my Delight both Night and Day" (Pills to Purge Melancholy, 1707) 149 " It was a younge man that dwelt in a towne " (Percy Folio MS., 1620-50) 28 " Itt was a man of Affrica had a ffaire wiffe " (Percy Folio MS., 1620-50) 14 "It was a Rich Merchant Man" (Pills to Purge Melancholy, 1707) 152 "Jane Shore she was for fair England' 1 '' (Refrain) 100 "Jenny long resisted" (A Broadside Song, c. 1700) 66 "Jenny my blithest maid" (Pills to Purge Melan- choly, c. 1707) 160 Jilts, The (Pills to Purge Melancholy, c. 1720) . 256 Joan to the Maypole (Tune) 79 INDEX xi " J°gg m g on fr° m Yonder Green " (A Broadside Song, c 1 700) 68 Jolly Beggars, The 275, 27;, 279 "Jolly Young Grocer of London Town, A" {Pills to Purge Melancholy) 230 "Joy to the Bridegroom ! fill the sky" (Pills to Purge Melancholy, c. 1707) 193 Just Bargain, A (Pills to Purge Melancholy, c. 1707) 166 King and the Miller, The (Tune) ill " Lads and Lasses Blith and Gay " (T. Durfey, Don Quixote, 1696) 63 " Ladys, why doth Love torment you " (Pills to Purge Melancholy, 1707) 132 Lane's Maggot (Tune) 121 Lascivious Lover and the Coy Lass, The (Pills to Purge Melancholy, c. 1 709) 211 " Let me ryke up to dight that tear " (R. Burns, Jolly Beggars, b. 1796) 277 "Lets consecrate a mighty Bowl" (Pills to Purge Melancholy, 1707) 134 Leveridge (R.) 66, 68, 70, 93, 117 London is a fine Town (Tune) 113 London Prentice, The (Pills to Purge Melancholy, c- 1720) 220 Long Vocation, The (Pills to Purge Melancholy, c- 1707) 136 " Lord ! what's come to my mother " ( The Bath, T. Durfey, 1701) 72 Love Tritimphant z± xii INDEX Loving couple, The (Pills to Furge Melancholy , c 1720) 230 Loyal Delights of a Contented Mind, The {Pills to Purge Melancholy, c 1 709) 214 Lucky Mending of the Laky Copper, The (Sub-title) 225 Lye alone (Percy Folio MS., 1620-50) 24 "Maid of Lyn, The" (Pills to Purge Melancholy, c. 1709) 218 Maid's Conjuring Book, The (Pills to Purge Melan- choly, c. 1720) 237 Mall Peatly (Tune) 156 " Men that more to the yarde nor the church are oft enclined" (Percy Folio MS., 1620-50) ... 20 Merchant and the Fidler's Wife, The (c. 1707) . . 152 Merry Muses of Caledonia 261, 264, 266, 268, 272, 273, 274 Merry Wedding, The (Sub-title) 230 Midwives Christening Song, The (c. 1707) .... 134 Mill, Mill, O, The, (Merry Muses of Caledonia, o. 1731) 2&I Miss Caddy (Pills to Purge Melancholy, c. 1620). 232 "Moon was Pendulous above, The" (c. 1707). . . 109 Motteux 107 Mower, The 4 Mumford (Mr.) 214 Musical Miscellany, (The) 261 " My dear Cock adoodle" (Pills to Pitrge Melan- choly, 1707) 191 My Mistress that's Pretty (Pills to Purge Melan- choly, 1707) 9 2 INDEX xiii " Near famous Covent Garden" {Pills to Purge Me- lancholy, c. 1720) 250 "Near to the Town of Windsor, upon a pleasant Green" {Pills to Purge Melancholy, 1707) . . 183 New Touch of the Times, A (1707) 136 "Night is come that will allow, The" {Pills to Purge Melancholy, c. 1 7 20) 223 " Now fie upon a Jealous Brain " {Pills to Purge Melancholy, 1 707) 130 " Now ffye on dreames and ffond delights " {Percy Folio MS., 1620-50) 17 " Now to you ye dry Wooers " [Pills to Purge Melancholy, c. 1709) 216 " Now ye good man's from home " (Henry Carey, c 1720) 239 Nurses Song, The [Pills to Purge Melancholy, c 1707) 191 "O Erroch stane, may never maid" [b. 1796) . . 270 " Off all the seas thats cominge " [Percy Folio MS., 1620-50) 7 Of King Edward and Jane Shore [c. 1707). ... 100 " Of late in the Park a fair Fancy was seen " [Pills to Purge Melancholy, c. 1709) 212 " Oh how happy's he, who from Business free " [Pills to Purge Melancholy, c. 1 709) 214 " Oh Jenny, Jenny, where hast thou been " [Pills to Purge Melancholy, c. 1720) 254 " O Mighty Power of active Love" (Refrain) . . 134 O Nay : O Nay : Not Yett [Percy Polio MS., 1 620-50) 1 2 xiv INDEX " O, wha my baby clouts will buy ? " (R. Burns, Merry Muses of Caledonia) 274 " O will ye speak at our town " {Merry Muses of Caledonia, b. 1796) 268 " On a Bank in flowry June " (Pills to Purge Melancholy, c. 1720) 256 " On Brandon Heath, in sight of Methwold Steeple " (Pills to Purge Melancholy, c. 1709) 218 " One holiday last Summer " (Pills to Purge Me- lancholy, c. 1707) 156 " One long Whitson Holiday " {Pills to Purge Me- lancholy, c. 1720) 248 " On Enfield Common, I met a Woman " (Pills to Purge Melancholy, c. 1707) 89 " One night in my Ramble I chane'd to see " (Pills to Purge Melancholy, 1707) 181 Packington's Pound (Tune) 85, 212 Panche (Percy Folio MS., 1620-50) 28 " Pan leave Piping, the Gods have done Feasting " (Pills to Purge Melancholy, 1707) 127 Parson among the Peas, The (Pills to Pur^e Melan- choly, c. 1720) 248 Pastorella; see Blowzabella. Percy Folio MS. (1620-50) 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 17, 20, 22 24, 26, 28, 37, 41 Phillis Unmasked (Sub-title) 250 Pills to Purge Melancholy (1707) 46, 52, 56, 60, 63 65, 66, 67, 68, 70, 74, 76, 79, 82, 85, 89, 92, 93 94. 9 6 , 97, 100, 107, 113, 117, 119, 121, 124, 127 13°. x 3 2 > !34> !3 6 > 147. J 49> J 5 2 > J 5 6 > l6o > l62 INDEX xv 164, 166, 168, 171, 173, 174, 175, 176, 178, 181 183, 187, 189, 191, 193, 195, 198, 200, 203, 207 208, 211, 212, 214, 216, 217, 218 Pills to Purge Melancholy (1719-20) 54, 220, 223, 225 227, 230, 232, 235, 237, 241, 243, 248, 250, 254 256, 258, 260 " Pish fye, you're rude sir " (Pills to Purge Melan- choly, c. 1709) 211 Playford, Diver siona Violin 258 Playford, Choice Ayres 44 Playhouse Saint, The (Pills to Purge Melancholy, c. 1720) 250 " Poor Sawney had marry 'd a Wife " (Pills to Purge Melancholy, c. 1720) 232 "Pox upon this cursed Life, A" (Pills to Purge Melancholy, 1707) 124 Pretty Kate of Windsor (c. 1707) 183 Purcell (Henry) 54, 63, 214, 248, 260 (D.) 67, 107 Push about the Jorum (Tune) 266 Quaker's Song, The (Pills to Purge Melancholy, c 1706) 74 Quixote, Don (T. Durfey) 52, 60, 63 Raleigh, Sir W 5 "Rantin' Dog the Daddie o't, The" (R. Burns, Merry Muses of Caledonia, b. 1796) 274 Rawlinson MS 1,4 Resolution, The (Pills to Purge Melancholy , c. 1707) 130 Rings Jigg, The (Tune) 48 xvi INDEX " Rise Bonny Kate, the Sun's got up high " (Pills to Purge Melancholy, c. 1 707) 198 Roberts (Mrs.) 239 Roger de Cover ley (Tune) 258 Saint turn'd Sinner, The (Pills to Purge Melancholy, c 1709) 203 Sally Sweetbread's Soliloquy (c. 1720, Henry Carey) 239 " Sawney was tall and of noble race " (T. Durfey, Virtuoiis Wife, 1680) 46 Sea Crabb, The (Percy Folio MS., 1620-50) ... 14 Several New Songs (Durfey) 48 " She met with a Countryman " (Pills to Purge Melancholy, c. 1 720) 258 " Shepherd kept sheep on a Hill so high, A " (T. DURFEY, Pills to Purge Melancholy, 1 707) . . 121 Sir Alexander Don's Strathspey (Tune) 270 Sodger Laddie (R. Burns, Jolly Beggars, c. 1796) 275 " Soldier and a Sailor, a Tinker and a Taylor, A " (Pills to Purge Melancholy, 1707) 119 Sound Country Lass, The (Pills to Purge Melan- choly, c. 1707) 96 St. George for England (Tune) 1 00 Suburbs is a fine place, The (Tune) 183 " Suburbs is a fine Place belonging to the City The " (Pills to Purge Melancholy, c. 1 707) I 13 Summer Morn, The (R. Burns, Merry Muses of Caledonia, c. 1794) 2 ^6 " Sun was just setting, the Reaping was done, The " (Pills to Purge Melancholy, c. 1 707) 1 1 7 INDEX xvii " Sun had loos'd his weary Team, The" {Pills to Pttrge Melancholy, c. 1707) 200 " Susannah the fair with her Beauties all bare" (c. 1707) 84 "Take heede of hott farmitree" (Refrain) .... 28 " Tarradidle,ffarradidle gtng, boyes, ging" (Refrain) 1 4 " Taylor good Lord, in the Time of Vacation, A " (Pills to Purge Melancholy, c. 1720) 227 TENOC (Mr.) 149 "That Iynye were here againe" (Refrain). ... 41 " Then blame her not ffor vsing of her owne " (Relrain) 22 " There lately was a maiden fair " {Pills to Purge Melancholy, 1707) 94 " There lives an ale-draper near New-palace yard " {Pills to Purge Melancholy, c. 1709) 208 " There was a lass, they ca'd her Meg" {Merry Muses of Caledonia, b. 1796) 272 " There were two Bumpkins lov'd a Lass " [Pills to Purge Melancholy, 1707) 82 " There's none so pretty " {Pills to Purge Melan- choly, c. 1720) 235 " These London Wenches are so stout " {Pills to Purge Melancholy, 1 707) 96 " They took me to the holy band " {Merry Mu- ses of Caledonia, b. 1796) 2 73 Thomson (George) 264, 266, 268 Three Glorious Things {Pills to Purge Melancholy, c. 1707) 149 "Thus Damon knock'd at Caelia's Door" {The Constant Couple, G. Farquhar, 1700) .... 67 xviii INDEX Tither moon, or Push about the Jorum (Tune) . 26b Town Rakes, The (b. 1707) 107 Travelling Tinker and the Country Ale-wife, The [Pills to Purge Melancholy, c. 1720) 225 Tunbridge Doctors, The [Pills to Purge Melancholy, c 1707) 85 " 'Twas early one Morning, the Cock had just crow'd " (T. DURFEY, Don Quixote, 1694) . . 52 " 'Twas in the flowry Spring " [Pills to Purge Me- lancholy, c. 1720) 243 "'Twas when the Sheep were Shearing" [Pills to Purge Melancholy, c. 1707) 195 Two to one [Pills to Purge Melancholy, c. 1707) 82 " Underneath the Castle Wall, the Queen of Love sat mourning" {Pills to Purge Melancholy, c. 1709) 207 Virtuous Wife (T. Durfey) 46 Waukiri of the fauld (Tune) 268 Weomen, The Description of 1 " What Life can compare with the jolly Town Rakes" (Pills to Purge Melancholy, 1707) 107 " When as I doe record " [Percy Folio MS., 1620-50) 41 " When maukin-bucks at early fucks " [Merry Muses of Caledonia, 1794) 266 " When Sawney first did Wooe me " [Pills to Purge Melancholy, c. 1 700) 93 " When scortching Phcebus, he did mount " [Percy Folio MS., 1620-50) 37 INDEX xix Whistle o'er the Lave o't (R. Burns, Jolly Beggars, b. 1796) 277 " Why should we boast of Lais and her Knights " (Pills to Purge Melancholy, 1707) 100 Willoughby Whim, The (Pills to Purge Melancholy, c. 1720) 254 Winchester Wedding, The (T. Durfey, 16S4) . . 48 "With a fa, la, la " (Refrain) 250 " With a hey ding, hoc ding" (Refrain) 52 " With a Thwack, Thwack' 1 '' (Refrain) 70 " Without Hood or Scarff, and rough as she run " (Refrain) 208 Woman Wears the Breeches, The (Pills to Purge Melancholy, 1707) 124 Women, Description of (Rawlinsoti MS.) .... 1 Woobourn Fair (pills to Purge Melancholy, c. 1707) 178 "Worthy London Prentice, A" (Pills to Purge Melancholy, c. 1 720) 220 " Ye'se Get a Hole to Hide it in" (Merry Muses of Caledonia, b. 1796) 268 "Yestreen I had a pint o wine" (Merry Muses of Caledonia, 1793) 264 Yielding Lass, The (Pills to Purge Melancholy, c- 1720) 235 " You Friends to Reformation " (Pills to Purge Me- lancholy, c. 1709) 203 " You Maidens and Wives " (Pills to Purge Melan- choly, c. 1707) 85 "Young Collin cleaving of a Beam" (Pills to Purge Melancholy, c. 1720) 260 xx INDEX "Young Coridon and Phillis " {Fills to Purge Me- lancholy, c. I/O/) 97 "Young man walking alone, A" {Percy Folio MS. c. 1620-50) 12 " Young man lately in our Town, A " {Pills to Purge Melancholy, c. 1720) 237 flfoerr\> %owq$ anb Ballabs THE DESCRIPTION OF WEOMEN [c. 1 6 10-20] [From The Ratvlinson MS., Poet. 216]. All you that lovers be, and like the amorus trade, Come learne of me, what weomen be, and whereof they be made. There heades are made of Hash, their tongues are made of saye, Their loue, of silken changeable, that lasteth but a daye. Their witt, mockador is, of durance is their hate, MBRRV SONGS IV. I [? ffash. MS.] 2 THE DESCRIPTION OF WEOMEN The food they feed on most is caipe, their gaming is checkmate. Of fustan their discourse their zeale is made of frees, and they that on their fauour wayte, gett most when most they leese. Their glory springes from satten, their vanity from feather, Their bewty is stand further of, their conscience made of leather. Their humors water chamblett, but canvass fitts them best ; Perpetuana is their folly, their earnest is but iest. Their life is loue in Heues, their doeinges ar their pleasure ; They lawles are, yet all they weare, They buy standing measure. Their eyes are made of lecke, their lippes of soppes in wyne : The worst of them the elder is, their longing thoughtes are pyne. Their forepartes are of rue, their hinder partes of dockes ; THE DESCRIPTION OF WEOMEN 3 of hardest brasse, are their hartes, their handes are made of box. There malice is of lead, there avarice of money, There subtiltye of fox furr is, there traffique is of coney. Or if, in playner termes, they would with-all be delte, Of bever are there snowe-white thighes, there thinges are made of felte. THE MOWER THE MOWER [c. 1610-20] [From The Rawlinson MS., Poet. 216]. Downe in the medow, the river running clear, 'twas in the month of July, the prime time of the year, When many prity litle fishes in the brooks did play, and many a lad and many a lass, abroad a making hay. In came the mower, to mow the meddows down, with his bag and botle, with ale that was so brown : He took his sith with a courage bould, and looking in the sky, He sighed, he mowde, he swived, he blowed ; the grass rubs very dry. 'Salt sessons all things! quoth Salomon the wise; And she that has a fatt [cunt] would make a [prick] rise; But she that hath a leane one and never a jot of hair, — The divell take her napping, As Moss did his mare. DULCINA DULCINA [b. 1615I [From The Percy Folio Manuscript, page 178 of MS.; attributed to Sir Walter Raleigh; earliest mentioned (16 15) in registers of Stationer's Company; tune in Chappell's English Songs, p. 143J. As att noone Dulc[ijna rested in her sweete & shade bower, there came a shepeard, & requested in her lapp to sleepe an hower; but from her looke a wound he tooke soe deepe, fhat for a further boone the Nimph he prayes; wherto shee sayes " forgoe me now, come to me soone." But in vayne shee did coniure him to depart her presence soe, hauing thousand tounges to allure him, & but one to say him noe. where lipps invite, & eyes delyght, & cheekes as red as rose in Iune p^rswade delay, what boots shee say " forgoe me now, &c. " 6 DULCINA Words whose hopes might have enioyned him to lett Dulcina sleepe. Can a mans loiie be confined, or a mayd her promise keepe? But hee her wast still held as ffast as shee was constant to her tune, though neere soe fayre her speechers were, " forgoe me now, &c." He demands, " what time or pleasure can there be more soone then now?" shee sayes, " night giues loue that leysure that the day cannott allow." "the said kind sight forgiues delight," qwth hee, " more easilye then the moone." " In Venus playes be bold," shee sayes, "forgoe me now, &c." But who knowes how agreed these loues? Shee was fayre, & he was younge; tounge may tell what eyes discouer; Ioyes vnseene are neuer songe. did shee consent or he relent? accepts he night, or grants shee none? left hee her Mayd or not? shee sayd "forgoe me now, come to me soone." OFF ALLE THE SEAES OFF ALLE THE SEAES [1620-50] [From Tlie Percy Folio Manuscript, page 455 of MS.]. Off all the seas thats cominge, of all the woods thats risinge, of all the ffishes in the sea, giue me a womans swiuinge. ffor shee hath pretty ffancyes to passe away the night; & shee hath pretty pleasures to coniure downe a spritt. My ffather gaue me Land, my mother gaue me mony, & I haue spent itt euery whitt in hunting of a Coney. I hunted vp a hill, a Coney did espye; my fferrett seeing that, into her hole did hye; OFF ALLE THE SEAES my fferrett seeing thai, into her hole did runn; but when he came into her hole, noe Coney cold be ffound. I put itt in againe ; itt ffound her out att Last; the Coney then betwixt her leggs did hold my fferrett ffast, Till thai it was soe weake, alacke, itt cold not stand! my fferrett then out of her hole did come vnto my hand. All you thai be good ffellowes, giue hearing vnto me; & if you wold a Coney hunt, a blacke one lett itt bee; ffor blacke ones are they best, their Sckins will yeeld most money. I wold to god thai hee were hanged thai does not loue a Coney! A FREINDE OF MINE 9 A FREINDE OF MINE [1620-50] [From The Percy Folio Manuscript, page 459 of MS.]. A ffreind of mine not long agoe desired att my hands some pretty toy to moue delight to those thai hearers stand, the w/«ch I meane to gratiffye by all the meanes I may, & moue delight in euery wight thai w*th affection stay. Some thought to proue wherin I shold these seuerall humors please, the vfhich. to doe, reason fforbidds, lest I shold some displease; but sith my muse doth plesure Chuse, & theron bends her skill, wherby I may driue time away, & sorrowes quite beguile. It was my Chance, not long agoe, by a pleasant wood to walke, io A FREINDE OF MINE wheere I vnseene of any one did heare tow louers talke; & as these louers forth did passe, hard by a pleasant shade, hard by a mighty Pine tree there, their resting place they made. " Insooth," then did this youngman say, " I thinke this ffragrant place was only made for louers true eche others to inbrace." hee tooke her by the middle small,— good sooth I doe not mocke, — not meaning to doe any thing but to pull vpp her: smo: blocke wheron shee sate, poore silly soule, to rest her weary bones, this maid shee was noe whitt affraiyd, but shee caught him ffast by the: stones: thumbes ; wheratt he vext and greiued was, soe thai his fflesh did wrinkle; this maid shee was noe whitt affrayd, but caught him fast hold by the: pintle: pimple w//zch hee had on his chin hkwise; — but lett the pimple passe;— there is no man heare but he may supposse A FREINDE OF MINE n shee weere a merry lasse. he boldly ventured, being tall, yet in his speech bu[t] blunt, hee neuer ceast, but tooke vpp all, and cacht her by the Cun : plumpe. And red rose lipps he kisst full sweete : q?«>th shee, "I craue no sucour." yrkich made him to haue a mighty mind to clipp, kisse, & to : ffuck : plucke her into his armes. "nay! soft!" qwth shee, " what needeth all this doing ? ffor if you wilbe ruled by me, you shall vse small time in wooinge. "ffor I will lay me downe," quoth shee, " vpon the slippery seggs, & all my clothes He trusse vp round, and spread about my : leggs : eggs, which I haue in my aperne heare vnder my girdle tuckt; soe shall I be most ffine and braue, most ready to be: fuckt: ducket " vnto some pleasant springing well ; ffor now itts time of the yeere to decke, & bath, & trim ourselues both head, hands, ffeet & geere." 12 O NAY: O NAY: NOT YETT O NAY: O NAY: NOT YETT [1620-50] [From The Percy Folio Manuscript, page 460 of MS.]. A young man walking alone, abroad to take the ayre, itt was his chance ffor him to meete a maiden pasing ffaire. desiring her of curtesiye awhile wzth him downe sitt; shee answered him most modestlye, " O nay ! O nay ! not yett ! " " Forty crownes I will giue thee, sweete hart, in good red gold, if thai I may thy ffauour haue, thy bewtye to behold." and then she spoke now readily e and wz'th a ready witt, " I will not sell my honestye ! O nay ! O nay ! not yett ! " " Gold and mony is but drosse, and worldly vanittye; O NAY: O NAY: NOT YETT 13 I doe esteeme more of the losse of my virginitye! but dost thou thinke I am soe madd, or of soe litle witt as ffor to sell my honestye? O nay! O nay! not yett!" They way to win a womans hart, is quicklye to be breiffe, and giue her that w/th-in ffew words that will soone ease her greiffe. "O ffye! O ffye! away!" sheele crye, that loues a dainty bitt, " I will not yeelde to Cupids lawes ! O nay! O nay! not yett!" 14 THE SEA CRABB THE SEA CRABB [1620-50] [From The Percy Folio Manuscript, page 462 of MS.]. Itt was a man of Affrica had a ffaire wiffe, ffairest that euer I saw the dayes of my liffe : wz'th a ging, boyes, ginge! ginge, boyes, ginge! tarradidle, ffarradidle, ging, boyes, ging! This goodwiffe was bigbellyed, & with a lad & euer shee longed ffor a sea crabbe. wz'th a ging, boyes, ginge! ginge, boyes, ginge! tarradidle, ffarradidle, ging, boyes, ging! The goodman rise in the morning, & put on his hose, he went to the sea syde, & ffollowed his nose, wz'th a ging, boyes, ginge ! ginge, boyes, ginge ! tarradidle, ffarradidle, ging, boyes, ging! Sais, " god speed, ffisherman, sayling on the sea, hast thou any crabbs in thy bote for to sell mee ? " wz'th a ging, boyes, ginge! ginge, boyes, ginge! tarradidle, ffarradidle, ging, boyes, ging! THE SEA CRABB 15 " I haue Crabbs in my bote, one, tow, or three ; I haue Crabbs in my bote for to sell thee." w/th a ging, boyes, ginge! ginge, boyes, ginge! tarradidle, ffarradidle, ging, boyes, ging! The good man went home, & ere he wist, & put the Crabb in the Chamber pot where his wiffe pist. w*'th a ging, boyes, ginge! ginge, boyes, ginge! tarradidle, ffarradidle, ging, boyes, ging! The good wiffe, she went to doe as shee was wont ; vp start the Crabfish, & catcht her by the Cunt, w/th a ging, boyes, ginge! ginge, boyes, ginge! tarradidle, ffarradidle, ging, boyes, ging! "Alas ! " quoth the goodwiffe, " that euer I was borne, the devill is in the pispott, & has me on his home." w/th a ging, boyes, ginge! ginge, boyes, ginge! tarradidle, ffarradidle, ging, boyes, ging! " If thou be a crabb or crabfish by kind, thoule let thy hold goe w/th a blast of cold wind." w/th a ging, boyes, ginge! ginge, boyes, ginge! tarradidle, ffarradidle, ging, boyes, ging! The good man laid to his mouth, & began to blowe, thinkeing therby that they Crab wold lett goe. i6 THE SEA CRABB with a ging, boyes, ginge! ginge, boyes, ginge! tarradidle, ffarradidle, ging, boyes, ging! " Alas ! " quoth the good man, " that euer I came hither, he has ioyned my wiffes tayle & my nose together ! " with, a ging, boyes, ginge ! ginge, boyes, ginge ! tarradidle, ffarradidle, ging, boyes, ging! They good man called his neigbors in w/th great wonder, to prtrt his wiues tayle & his nose assunder. with a ging, boyes, ginge! ginge, boyes, ginge! tarradidle, ffarradidle, ging, boyes, ging! NOW FYE ON DREAMES 17 NOW FYE ON DREAMES [1620-50] [From The Percy Folio Manuscript, page 499 of MS. J. Now ffye on dreames & ffond delights that occupye the minde! tis worser ffor to dreame by nights then occupye by kind! ffor if Cupid thy hart doth stryke wz'th lead or golden fflight, O then, O then, O then, in dreames thy thoughts strange things doe write! Methought itt was my Chance to Clipp thee Creature I loued best, & all alonge the ffeilds to tripp, to moue some sport or lest, & then & then, my [suite] I gan to pleade vnto that ffairest mayd; But shee, but shee, would nought beleeue, w/i/'ch made me sore affrayd. But yett by prayer & ernest suite I moued her att the Last; MERRY SONGS IV. 1 8 NOW FYE ON DREAMES yett cold I not inioye the ffruite that hath soe pleasing tast. but when, but when, that motyon I bewrayd; shee still this answer said, "O no! O no! O no! I will dye ere I loose my maiden-head ! " Yett did shee giue me leaue to tuch her ffoote, her legg, her knee; a litle ffurther was not much, they way I went was ffree. " O ffye! O ffye! youx are to blame ! " shee sayd, "thus to vndoe a maid; but yett, but yett, the time is so meete, [that I am not affrayd]. Not Ioue himselfe more Iouyall was when he bright dyana wonn; Nor Hercules, that all men did passe, when hee wz'th distaffe spunn, then I, then I, all ffeares when I had past, & scalled the ffort att Last, & on, & on, & on the same my signes of victory placet. But when Aurora, goddesse bright, appeared ffrom the east, and Morpheus, that drowsye wight, wzthdrawen him to his rest; NOW FYE ON DREAMES 19 O then, O then, my ioyes were altered cleane! w/rich makes me still Complaine; ffor I awaked, for I awaked, ffor I awaked; and I ffo[und] all this was but a dreame! 20 MEN THAT MORE MEN THAT MORE [1620-50] [From The Percy Folio Manuscript, page 201 of MS.]. Men that more to the yard northe church are oft enclined, take young mayds now & then att lurch to try their mind ; But younge maids now adayes are soe coy, the will not show when they are in loue, But for feare I oft say noe, when p^rhapps they wold fayne doe if itt wold not proue. If for a time for feare they bee wyllye and seeme coy, there is one that p^rhapps may beguile yee, the blind boy; heele strike home when he please ; to the quicke heele shoot his shaft w/thout delay; then theyle sigh & lament when, alas, their owne kind hart cannott say Nay. MEN THAT MORE 21 The small fly that playeth with, the candle oft doth burne; such young maids as doe loue for to dandle once, may mourne. lett flyes burne, & maids mourne, for in vaine you do p^rswade them from their folly ; Nature binds all their kinds now and then to play the waggs though the seeme holy. 22 BLAME NOT A WOMAN BLAME NOT A WOMAN [1620-50] [From The Percy Folio Manuscript, page 446 of MS.] Blame not a woman although shee bee Lewd, & thai her ffaults they haue been knowne. although shee doe offend, yett in time shee may amend ; then blame her not ffor vsing of her owne, But rather giue them praise, as they deserue, when vice is banisht quite, & virtue in them grown e, ffor that?, their only tresure, & ffor to ffly vaine pleasure, then blame them not ffor vsing of their owne. There is many now a dayes that women will dispraise : out of a dru[n]ken humor when as their witts are fflowne, out of an Idle braine, w/th speeches Lewd & vaine theile blame them still ffor vsinge of her owne. BLAME NOT A WOMAN 23 But if woman shold not trade, how shold the world increase? if women all were nise, what seede shold then be sowne? if women all were coy, they wold breede mens annoye ; then blame them not ffor vsing of their owne. If any take offence att this my songe, I thinke thaX no good maners he hath knowne. wee all ffrom women came : why shold wee women blame, & ffor a litle vsing of their owne? 24 LYE ALONE LYE ALONE [1620-50] [From The Percy Folio Manuscript, page 200 of MS.]. Can any one tell what I ayle? that I looke soe leane, soe wan, soe pale, if I may be there Iudge, I thinke there is none that can any longer lye alone. Was eu*r womans case like mine ? att 15 yeeres [I] began to pine; soe vnto this plight now I am growne, I can, nor will, noe longer Lye alone. If dreames be true, then Ride I can; I lacke nothing but a man, for tis onlye hee can ease my moane. I can, nor will, &c. When daye is come, I wish for night ; When night is come, I wish for light; thus all my time I sighe & moane. I can, nor will, &c. LYE ALONE 25 To woe the first, ashamed am I ; for and if he aske I will not denye; for the case is such I must needs haue one. I can, nor will &c. Therfore my prayer, it shalbe still thai I may haue one thai will worke my will; for itt is only hee can ease me anon, & therfore He noe longer lye alone. DOWNE SATE THE SHEPARD DOWNE SATE THE SHEPARD [1620-50] [From The Percy Folio Manuscript, page 201 of MS.]. Downe sate the shepeard swaine soe sober & demure, wishing for his wench againe soe bonny & soe pure, w/th his head on hillocke lowe, & his armes a Cimbo, And all for the losse of his hinononino! The leaves the fell as thin as water from a still; the heire vpon his head did growe as time vpon a hill ; his cherry cheekes as pale as snowe to testifye his mickle woe; & all was for the loue of his hinononino! ffayre shee was to loue, as euer liked swaine; neu*r such a dainty one shall none enioy againe; sett a thousand on a rowe, DOWNE SATE THE SHEPARD 27 time forbidds thai any showe euer the like to her hinononino! faire shee was, [of] comly hew, her bosome like a swan ; backe shee had of bending yew, her wast was but a span; her hayre as blacke as any croe, from the top to the toe, all downe along to her hinononino ! w/th her Mantle tucked vp shee fothered her flocke, soe thai they thai doe her see may then behold her smocke, soe finely doth shee vse to goe, and neatly dance on tripp on toe, thai all men run madd for her hinononino! In a Meadow fayre & greene the shepard layeth him downe, thinking there his loue to find sporting on a round, A round which Maidens vse to go; Cupid bidds itt shold bee soe, because all men were made for her hinononino ! 28 PANCHE PANCHE [1620-50] [From The Percy Folio Manuscript, page 238 of MS.J. It was a younge man that dwelt in a towne, a Iollye husband was hee, but he wold eate more at one sett dinner the[n] 20 wold att three, soe great a stomacke had hee, his wiffe did him provide ten meales a day, his hungar to lay, yet was he not satisfy ed. take heede of hott furmitree! His wiffe had a sister neere at hand, decket vp in a gowne of gray; shee loued a young man, & marryed the weere vpon St. lames his day; & to the wedding went they, her brothers and sisters each one. [two] shee vowed to bring her to capon pyes, w/th birds the sids vpon. take heed, &c. PANCHE 2Q) But yet the good wiffe, tho litle shee sayd, in mind & hart was woe because her husband, the glutton, wold vnto the wedding goe. "good husband," then sayd shee, "at the wedding there will bee my vnckle Iohn, & my cozen Gylee, & others of good degree; then stay you at home, my dere, [then stay you at home, my dere.] " ffor if yo[u] come there, you vtterlye shame yor selfe & me besides, & all yowr kinred euery one, the Bridgrome & the bryde, you feed soe Monst[r]ouslye aboue all other men, for you deuoure more meate at a meale then 40 will doe at ten." take heede, &c. When that he heard his wiffe say soe, his anger waxed hotte: Quoth he, "thou drabb! thou filthy Queane ! thy councell likes me not! belike some match is made betwixt some knaue & thee to make me a scorne, my head for to home! 30 PANCHE I smell out thy knauerye! to the wedding that I will goe ! " " Good husband," q?iwthshee, " Misdoubt not of me! I speake it for the best! yet doe as you will, yoza mind to fulfill ; but let me this request, that when vnorderlye I see you feeding there, when I doe winke, I wold haue you thinke its time for to forbeare." take heed, &c. The man was content ; to the wedding he went ; great cheare was there prepared; the Bridsgroome father & mother both sate there w/th good regard, furst to the table was brough[t] a course of furmitree, [gallon] & Panche had a dish, a galland I-wiss, that fitted his appetye; & quicklye he slapt vp all. [leer'd] Hee learned on his wiffe, and drew out his kniffe to a legg of Mutton fell hee; he slapt it vp breefe, wz'th a surloyne of beefe, & mincte pyes 2 or three: he neu^r looked about, but fed w/th such a courage, PANCHE 31 he left for his share the bord almost bare, or the rest were out of their porrage. take heede, &c. Then did he spye his wiffe for to winke; therfore he, to mend the matter, he cast vp againe the Meate he had eaten, before them in a platter: "take heere your victualls," hee sayd, " & grudg not me my meate ; & where I thinke that welcome I am, I cannott forbeare to eate." take heede, &c. The time drew on when eu MERRY SONGS IV. 3 3 4 PANCHE he clensed the Milke Basons all, tho there were plenty store; & like a lout, he groped about, to see if hee cold find any more, take heede, &c. Vpon a narrowe mouthd hony pott he lighted on at last ; & when he had thrust his hand therin, there stuck e it wonderous fast, now hee must breake the same or he cold gett it out ; & for a ffitt place to breake it on, he seeketh round about, take heede, &c. Tow silly fryers, on the kitchin flore all night asleepe dyd lye; whose shauen crownes, by the Moonelight then, S?*r Panch he did there espye. to one of them he comes, supposing his pate a stone; & there burst the earthen pott, w/«'ch made the fryer to grone. take heede, &c. The silly ffryer, being hurt full sore, did thinke his fellow had vpon some spite abused him soe; PANCHE 35 therfore, as he were madd, he laid him soundlve on, & caught him by the eares; whose rumbled waked the folkes in the house, & fedd them full of feares. take heede, &c. When they came downe, the found the fryers well buffeting one another; the one did tell how he was serued by his religious brother, but when Sz'r Panch they spyed, wzth honnye besmeared soe, & daubed about wz'th Milke and creame, the knew how all things did goe. take heede, &c. for well they did see that it was he that did the old man wronge, & hee that brake the poore fryers head as he did lye alonge, that eate the Milke & creame and the pott of ffurmitree; yett, for to be reuenged of him, they knew noe remedye. take heede, &c. God keepe, I say, such guests away both from my meate & mee! 36 PANCHE if I had 20 weddings to make, neuer bidden shold he bee! & thus I make an end of this my merry lest, wishing to every e honest man all happinesse & rest, take heede of hot furmitree! take heed of hot furmitree! WHEN SCORTCHING PHCEBUS 37 WHEN SCORTCHING PHOSBUS [1620-50] [From The Percy Folio Manuscript, page 313 of MS.]. When scortching Phoebus he did mount, — to-Iaur bonne tannce, — then Lady Venus went to hunt, par melio shannce; to whom diana did resort, with a[llj the Ladyes of hills and valleys, of springs & ffloodes, to shew where all the princely sport, w/th hound imbrued, & harts pursued, throughe groues and woodes. This tender harted louers Queene, — to-iour bonne tannce, — such wandring sports had seldome seene, par melio shance. shee tooke noe pleasure in the same, to see hounds merry, & pore harts werrye ffor want of breath. quoth shee, " I like better that game where ladyes bewtyes do pay their dutyes to loues sweete death." \toits-jours bon temps] \parmi les champs] 38 WHEN SCORTCHING PHCEBUS They aire was hott, & shee was drye, — to-iour bonne tannce; — to Bacchus court slice fast did hye— par melio shance— her ffaint & weary hart [to] cherish, •which was soe fyered, that shee descryed to quench her thirst, & cryed, " helpe Bacchus, or else I pmsh ! " who still did hold her, and plainly told her he wold kisse her ffirst. Then Bacchus with, a power divine, — to-iour bone tance,— himselfe turned to a butt of wine, — par melio shance, — and bade this Ladye drinke her ffill, & take her pleasure in any measure, & make noe waste; & gaue her leaue to sucke the quill, w^zch was spriteffull and delightffull vnto her tast. Att last this butte did run a tilte — to-iour bonne tance. — q?/ j°fr j°g> jog, jog, jog, jogging on ; The Sun's down, pray stay, Pray stay, pray stay, good John, Hey ho, that I might do so, J°g> j°g> J gg in g on. 7 o "EARLY IN THE DAWNING" "EARLY IN THE DAWNING OF A WINTER'S MORN" [c. 1700] [From Pills to Purge Melancholy (1707), ii. 276; set by Leveridge]. Early in the dawning of a Winters morn, Brother Dick and I went forth into the Barn; To get our selves a heat, By Thrashing of the Wheat, From the Stack, from the Stack, from the Stack, the Stack: The Straws they flew about, And the Flails they kept a rout, With a Thwack, Thwack, Thwack, Thwack, Thwack. Margery came in then with an Earthen Pot, Full of Pudding that was piping hot; I caught her by the Neck fast, And thank'd her for my Breakfast, With a Smack, with a Smack, with a Smack, a Smack : Then up went her Tail, And down went the Flail, With a Thwack, Thwack, Thwack, Thwack, Thwack. "EARLY IN THE DAWNING" 71 Dick Threshing on, cry'd out, fie for shame, Must I beat the Bush while you catch the Game ; Sow your wild Oats, And mind not her wild Notes, Of alack, of alack, of alack, alack: Faith I did the Jobb, While the Flail bore a bob, With a Thwack, Thwack, Thwack, Thwack, Thwack. She shook off the Straws and did nothing ail, Swearing there was no defence against a Flail, But quietly lay still, And bid me fill, fill, fill, Her Sack, her Sack, her Sack, Sack : But 'twas all in vain, For I had spilt my Grain, With a Thwack, Thwack, Thwack, Thwack, Thwack. ~]2 "LORD, WHAT'S COME TO MY MOTHER" "LORD, WHAT'S COME TO MY MOTHER" [1701] [From The Bath or TJie Western Lass ; words by Durfey; set by Jeremy Clark]. Lord! what's come to my Mother, That every Day more than other, My true Age she would smother, And says I'm not in my Teens; Tho' my Sampler I've sown too, My Bib and my Apron out-grown too, Baby quite away thrown too, I wonder what 'tis she means; When our John does squeeze my Hand, And calls me sugar sweet, My Breath almost fails me, I know not what ails me, My Heart does so heave and so beat. I have heard of Desires, From Girls that have just been of my Years, Love compar'd to sweet Bryers, That hurts, and yet does please: Is Love finer than Money, LORD, WHAT'S COME TO MY MOTHER" 73 Or can it be sweeter than Honey, I'm poor Girl such a Toney, Evade that I cannot guess, But I'm sure I'll watch more near, There's something that Truth will shew, For if Love be a Blessing, To please beyond Kissing, Our Jane and our Butler does know. 74 THE QUAKER'S SONG THE QUAKER'S SONG [c . 1 706] [From Pills to Purge Melancholy (1707), iii. 185]. Amongst the pure ones all, Which Conscience doth profess; And yet that sort of Conscience, Doth practice nothing less: I mean the Sect of those Elect, That loalh to live by Merit; That leads their Lives with other Mens Wives, According unto the Spirit. One met with a Holy Sister of ours, A Saint who dearly lov'd him : And fain he would have kiss'd her, Because the Spirit mov'd him : But she deny'd, and he reply'd, You're damn'd unless you do it; Therefore consent, do not repent, For the Spirit doth move me to it. She not willing to offend, poor Soul, Yielded unto his Motion : THE QUAKER'S SONG 75 And what these two did intend, Was out of pure Devotion: To lye with a Friend and a Brother, She thought she shou'd die no Sinner, But e'er five Months were past, The Spirit was quick within her. But what will the Wicked say, When they shall here of this Rumour; They'd laugh at us every Day, And Scoff us in every Corner: Let 'em do so still if that they will, We mean not to follow their Fashion, They're none of our Sect, nor of our Elect, Nor none of our Congregation. But when the time was come, That she was to be laid ; It was no very great Crime, Committed by her they said: 'Cause they did know, and she did show, 'Twas done by a Friend and a Brother, But a very great Sin they said it had been, If it had been done by another. 76 BLOWZABELLA BLOWZABELLA MY BOUNCING DOXIE [c. 1707] [From Pills to Purge Melancholy (1707), iii. 309; " the Italian song call'd Pastorella ; made into an English Dialogue by Mr. Tho. D'urfey "]. Bloivzabella my bouncing Doxie, Come let's trudge it to Kirkham Fair, There's stout Liquor enough to Fox me, And young Cullies to buy thy Ware. She. Mind your Matters ye Sot without medling How I manage the sale of my Toys, Get by Piping as I do by Pedling, You need never want me for supplies. He. God-a-mercy my Sweeting, I find thou think'st fitting, To hint by this twitting, I owe thee a Crown ; She. Tho' for that I've been staying, a greater Debt's paying, Your rate of delaying will never Compound. He. I'll come home when my Pouch is full, And soundly pay thee all old Arrears; BLOWZABELLA 77 She. You'll forget it your Pate's so dull, As by drowzy Neglect appears. He. May the Drone of mv Bae; never hum, If I fail to remember my Blowze; She. May my Buttocks be ev'ry ones Drum, . If I think thou wilt pay me a Souse. He. Squeakham, Squeakham, Bag-pipe will make 'em, Whisking, Frisking, Money brings in; She. Smoaking, Toping, Landlady groping, Whores and Scores will spend it again. He. By the best as I guess in the Town, I swear thou shalt have e'ery Groat; She. By the worst that a Woman e'er found, If I have it will signify nought; He. If good Nature works no better, Bloivzabella I'd have you to know, Though you fancy my Stock is so low, I've more Rhino than always I show, For some good Reasons of State that I know, She. Since your Cheating I always knew, For my Ware I got something too, I've more Sence than to tell to you. He. Singly then let's imploy Wit, I'll use Pipe as my gain does hit, She. And If I a new Chapman get, You'll be easy too, He. Easy as any worn out Shoo. 78 BLOWZABELLA [CHORUS of both] Free and Frolick we'll Couple Gratis, Thus we'll show all the Human Race That the best of the Marriage State is, Blozvzabella and Collin's Case. THE DISAPPOINTMENT 79 THE DISAPPOINTMENT [c 1707] [From Pills to Purge Melancholy (1707), iii. 25; tune, Joan to the Maypole in Chappell's Popular music, 302]. The Clock had struck, faith I cannot tell what, But Morning was come as Grey as a Cat; Cocks and Hens from their Roosts did fly, Grunting Hogs too had left their stye; When in a Vale, Carrying a Pail, Sissly her new Lover met, Dapper Harry; First they Kiss'd, Then shook Fist, Then talk'd, as Fools do, that just were to Marry. Zooks cry'd Hall, I can't but think, Now we are come to Wedlock brink; How pure a stock 'twill be how fine, When you put your good mark to mine; Siss at that, Glowing hot, Buss'd him as if she'd have burnt him to Tinder; 80 THE DISAPPOINTMENT Thus they Woo, But sec how, Damn'd Fate contriv'd now the Bargain to hinder. Sissfy had got a Cold I suppose, And 'twixt her Fingers was blowing her Nose ; Harry, that Linnen too wanted I doubt, Lent her his Glove, to serve for a Clout; Scraping low, Manners to show, And tell her how much he was her adorer: Pray mark the Joke, Leather thong broke, And Breeches fell down to his Ancles before her. Sissfy who saw him thus distrest, Pulls of her Garter of woolen List; And with a sly and leering look, Gave it to mend up what was broke; Fumbling he, Could not see, What he discover'd, tho' e'er he had ty'd all: For just before, Shirt was tore, And as the Devil would have't she had spy'd all. She gave him then so cold a Look, Discontent it plainly spoke; And running from him near a Mile, THE DISAPPOINTMENT 81 He overtook her at a stile; Too much hast, Milk down east, And topsy turvy she fell on her Pole with't: He seeing that, Runs with's Hat, But could not Cover her C for his soul with't: Have you not seen at Noon of Day, The Sun his glorious Face display; So Stssly shone with Beauty's Rays, Reflecting from her Postern grace; Till at last Strugling past, Wide sprawling Legs were again set in order: But poor Hall, Since her fall, Stood just like one was found guilty of Murder. The God of Love, or else old Nick, Sure had design'd this Devilish trick, To make the Bridegroom and the Bride; With themselves dissatisfy'd ; She grown coy, Call'd him Boy, He getting from her cry'd Zoons you'r a rouzer . Foh, she cry'd, By things spy'd, She had as live a meer Baby should espouse her. MERRY SONGS IV. 6 82 TWO TO ONE TWO TO ONE [c. 1707] [From Pills to Purge Melancholy (1707), ii. 172]. There were two Bumpkins lov'd a Lass, And striving who should have her; She presum'd of what she had, And they of what they gave her: Hey ho, hey ho, my Heart's delight, Carouse away all Sorrow; Let me Tickle thy Wench twice to Night, to Night, She shall be thine to Morrow. But we were both of one Consent, And something had some Savour; And let a poor Man be content With half a Wenches Favour ; Hey ho, hey ho, &c. But this is still against all Sence, Which ever more hath vex'd us; That ev'ry Lobcock hath his Wench, And we but one betwixt us. Hey ho, hey ho, &c. TWO TO ONE 83 Good Brother, let us not dismay, What hap so e'er betide us; For fear a Third should come this way, And pull our Wench beside us: Hey ho, hey ho, &c. For Women they are Winning things, As mutable as may be; No Bird that ever flew with Wines, So subtile is as they be. Hey ho, hey ho, &c. No matter who shall pledge her first, Affections are but blindness; And let the World say what they list, We'll take her double Kindness. Hey ho, hey ho, &c. For she hath granted both our Sutes, When we came first unto her; And he shall Ride in both our Boots, That comes the next to Wooe her: Hay ho, hey ho, &c. 84 SUSANNAH AND THE ELDERS SUSANNAH AND THE ELDERS [c. 1707] [A Broadside Song with music]. Susannah the fair With her Beauties all bare, Was bathing her, was bathing herself in an Arbour : The Elders stood peeping, and pleas'd With the dipping, Would fain have steer'd into her Harbour. But she in a rage, Swore she'd never engage, With monsters, with monsters, with monsters so old and so feeble. This caus'd a great rout, Which had ne'er come about, Had the Elders been sprightly and able. THE TUNBRIDGE DOCTORS 85 THE TUNBRIDGE DOCTORS [e. 1707] [From Pills to Purge Melancholy (1707), ii. 160; tune, Packington's Pound]. You Maidens and Wives, And young Widows rejoyce, Declare your thanksgiving, With Heart and with Voice; Since Waters were Waters I dare boldly say, There ne'er was such cause Of a Thanksgiving day. For from London-Town There's lately come down, Four Able Physicians That never wore Gown: Their Physick is pleasant, Their Dose it is large, And you may be Cur'd Without Danger or Charge. No Bolus nor Vomit, No Potion nor Pill, 86 THE TUNBRIDGE DOCTORS Which sometimes do Cure, But oftner do Kill, Your Taste nor your Stomach Need ever displease, If you'll be advised But by one of these. For they've a new Drug Which is call'd the close Hug, Which will mend your Complexion, And make you look smug, A Sovereign Balsom Which once well apply'd, Tho' griev'd at the Heart The Patient ne'er Dy'd. In the Morning you need not Be robb'd of your rest, For in your warm Beds Your Physick works best : And tho' in the taking Some stirring's requir'd, The motion's so pleasant You cannot be tir'd. For on your Backs you must lie, With your Body rais'd high, And one of these Doctors Must always be by, THE TUNBRIDGE DOCTORS 87 Who still will be ready To cover you warm, For if you take cold All physick doth harm. Before they do venture To give their direction, They always consider Their Patients complexion; If she have a moist Palm Or a Red Head of Hair, She requires more Physick Than one man can spare. If she have a long Nose, The Doctor scarce knows How many good handfuls Must go to her Dose: You Ladies that have Such ill symptoms as these, In reason and conscience Should pay double fees. But that we may give To these Doctors due praise; Who to all sorts of people Their favours conveys; On the ugly for pity sake Skill shall be shown, 88 THE TUNBRIDGE DOCTORS And as for the handsom, They're Cur'd for their own. On the Silver or Gold They never lay hold, For what comes so freely They scorn should be sold : Then joyn with the Doctors, And heartily pray, Their power of Healing May never decav. " ON ENFIELD COMMON " 89 "ON ENFIELD COMMON, I MET A WOMAN " [c. 1707] [From Pills to Purge Melancholy (1707), ii. 270]. On Enfield Common, I met a Woman, A bringing North-Hall Water to the Town; Said I, fair Maiden, you're heavy laden, I'll light and give you ease in a Green Gown: Says she, 'tis good Sir, to stir the Blood, Sir, For the Green-sickness, Friend, will make me like it; Then in a Minute I left my Gennett, And went aside with her into a Thicket: Then with her leave there, a Dose I gave her, She straight confess'd her Sickness I did nick it. I went to leave her, but this did grieve her, For panting on the Grass she did complain; Saying Physician, my Sick Condition, ' I fear will suddenly return again : If you deny me, and don't supply me With many Potions of your sweetest Pleasure : Then prithee Gallant improve thy ^Talent, Since we have Opportunity and Leisure; 90 "ON ENFIELD COMMON" With such like Greeting, my pretty Sweeting, She seem'd to press upon me without measure. 'Twas Summer Weather, we sat together, And chatted all the pleasant Afternoon; No one was near us, to over-hear us, At length I said I'd put my Pipes in Tune: To give a Glister, with that I kiss'd her, She cry'd, another Fit do's round me hover; With the Green Rushes I'll veil my Blushes, For in ray Cheeks I know you may discover What's my desire, Love never Tire, For Oh! I long, I long, to be a Mother. With that I told her, that I wou'd hold her, A Guinea to a Groat it should be so ; In Nine Months after, a Son or Daughter, Will be your lucky Lot, Dear Love I know : Quoth she, you Vapour, and draw your Rapier, But yet methinks too soon you seem to tire; I'll lay a Shilling, if you are willing, That Nine Months hence I have not my desire ; Except you'll venture, once more to enter, Alas! the Name of Mother I admire. Because I'd ease her, and fully please her, I took a Lodging for my Enfield Lass; Who was a Beauty, and knew her Duty, The Night we did in youthful pleasures pass, "ON ENFIELD COMMON" 91 With melting Blisses, and charming Kisses, On downy Beds secure from Wind and Weather ; And in the Morning, by Day's adorning, We rose and drank a Glass of Wine together : With Joys I crown'd her, for then I found her, To have a Heart far lighter than a Feather. I having cur'd her, likewise assur'd her, If e'er it was my luck to come that way; I'd pawn my Honour, to call upon her, But for that time I could no longer stay: The loving creature, of pure good nature, She gave me Twenty Kisses when we parted; Because she never had found such favour, In Loves soft Pleasures to be so diverted : Then straight I mounted, for why I counted, 'Twas time I had her company deserted. 92 MY MISTRESS THAT'S PRETTY MY MISTRESS THAT'S PRETTY [c. 1707] [From Pills to Purge Melancholy (1707), ii. 216; sung by Dogget]. I'll sing you a Song of my Mistriss that's pretty, A Lady so frolick and gay; It tickles my Fancy to tune her sweet Ditty, For Love was all her Play. She's witty and pretty, and tunes like a Fiddle, A Lady so frolick and gay; She begins at both Ends, and ends in the Middle, For Love was all her Play. She hugs and she Kisses without a Word speaking, A Lady so frolick and gay; She falls on her Back without flinching and squeaking, For Love was all her Play. She's laden with Graces of Virtue and Honour, A Lady so frolick and gay; 'Twixt a fair pair of Sheets with warm Love upon her, For Love was all her Play. "WHEN SAWNEY FIRST DID WOE ME" 93 " WHEN SAWNEY FIRST DID WOE ME" [c. 1707] [From Pills to Purge Melancholy (1707), ii. 242; set by R. Leveridge]. When Sawney first did Wooe me, he did at distance stand, Advancing to undoe me, he gently took my Hand ; He gently rais'd it higher, with pish and much ado, His Lips still creeping nigher, at last he Kiss'd it too. Advancing more to try me, with Love's in- chanting grace, He drew himself more nigh me, and gently touch'd my Face; He set it all on Fire, with pish and much ado, His Lips approaching nigher, at last he Kiss'd me too. Compleatly to undo me, he clasp'd me in his Arms, As tho' he wou'd go through me, and search out all my Charms; As though he wou'd go through me, with Oh, and much ado, As sure as e'er he knew me, at last he did it too. 94 DUNMORE KATE DUNMORE KATE [c. 1707] [From Pills to Purge Melancholy (1707), ii. 220]. There lately was a Maiden Fair, With ruddy Cheeks and Nut-brown hair, Who up to Town did trudge, Sir; This pretty Maid, whose Name was Kate, Met here a hard unlucky Fate, As you anon shall judge, Sir. A little e'er it did grow Dark, She needs must walk into the Park, The Gentry for to see, Sir; Where soon she met a Footman gay, That stop'd her short, and made her stay, To sit down under Tree, Sir. This Footman swore he was a Lord, Which soon made Katy to accord, And grant him his full Will, Sir; She Kiss'd his Lordship o'er and o'er. And open'd all her Country store, And let him take his fill, Sir. DUNMORE KATE 95 But when she heard one call out John, Up rose her Spark, and strait was gone To Trot before the Chair, Sir; Which made this Damsel all alone To sigh and sob, and make great moan, And shed full many a Tear, Sir. Quoth she, if these be London Tricks, God send me down amongst my Dicks, That live on Dunsmore Heath, Sir; If ever I come here again, Or e'er believe one Man in Ten, May the De'll come stop my Breath, Sir. 96 THE SOUND COUNTRY LASS THE SOUND COUNTRY LASS [c. 1707] [From Pills to Purge Melancholy (1707), ii. 211]. These London Wenches are so stout, They care not what they do; They will not let you have a Bout, Without a Crown or two. * They double their Chops, and Curl their Locks, Their Breaths perfume they do; Their Tails are pepper'd with the Pox, And that you're welcome to. But give me the Buxom Country Lass, Hot piping from the Cow; That will take a touch upon the Grass, Ay, marry, and thank you too. Her Colour's as fresh as a Rose in June, Her Temper as kind as a Dove; She'll please the Swain with a wholesome Tune, And freely give her Love. "YOUNG CORIDON AND PHILLIS" 97 "YOUNG CORIDON AND PHILLIS" [c 1707] [From Pills to Purge Melancholy (1707), iii. 205; set by Jeremiah Clark]. Young Coridon and Phillis Sate in a lovely Grove; Contriving Crowns of Lillies, Repeating Tales of Love: And something else, but what I dare not name. But as they were a Playing, She oagled so the Swain; It sav'd her plainly saying, Let's kiss to ease our Pain: And something else, but what I dare not name. A thousand times he kiss'd her, Laying her on the Green; But as he farther press'd her, Her pretty Leg was seen: And something else, but what I dare not name. MHRRY SONGS IV. 98 "YOUNG CORIDON AND PHILLIS" So many Beauties removing, His Ardour still increas'd; And greater Joys pursuing, He wander'd o'er her Breast: And something else, but what I dare not name. A last Effort she trying, His passion to withstand ; Cry'd, but it was faintly crying, Pray take away your Hand: And something else, but what I dare not name. Young Coridon grown bolder, The Minute would improve; This is the Time he told her, To shew you how I love ; And something else, but what I dare not name. The Nymph seem'd almost dying, Dissolv'd in amorous Heat; She kiss'd, and told him sighing, My Dear your Love is great: And something else, but what I dare not name. But Phillis did recover Much sooner than the Swain; She blushing ask'd her Lover, Shall we not Kiss again : And something else, but what I dare not name. "YOUNG COR1DON AND PHILLIS" 99 Thus Love his Revels keeping, 'Till Nature at a stand; From talk they fell to Sleeping, Holding each others Hand; And something else, but what I dare not name. ioo KING EDWARD AND JANE SHORE OF KING EDWARD AND JANE SHORE [c. 1707] [From Pills to Purge Melancholy (1707), iii. 20; tune, St. George for England}. Why should we boast of Lais and her Knights, Knowing such Champions intrapt with Whorish Lights : Or why should we speak of Thais Curled Locks, Or Rhodope that gave so many Men the Pox. Read old Stories, and there you shall find, How Jane Shore, Jane Shore she pleas'd King Edward's mind. Jane Shore she was for fair England, Queen Fredrick was for France, Honi soit qui mal y pense. To speak of the Amazons it were too long to tell, And likewise of the Thracian Girls, how far they did excel; Those with Scythian Lads, engag'd in several Fights, And in the brave Venetian Wars, did foil advent'rous Knights : KING EDWARD AND JANE SHORE 101 Messaline and Julia were Vessels wond'rous brittle, But Jane Shore, Jane Shore took down K. Edward's Mettle. Jane Shore she was, &c. Thalestis of Thormydon, she was a doughty Wight; She Conquer'd Pallas King in the Exercise of Night ; Hercules shew the Dragon whose Teeth were all of Brass, Yet he himself became a Slave unto the Lydian Lass: The Theban Semel lay with Jove, not dreading all his Thunder, But Jane Shore overcame King Edward, altho' he had her under. Jane Shore she was, &c. Hellen of Greece she came of Spartan Blood, Agricola and Cressida they were brave Whores and good; Queen Clytemnestra bold, slew old Arthur's mighty Son, And fair Harcyon pull'd down the Strength of Telamon : Those were the Ladies that caus'd the Trojan Sack, But Jane Shore, Jane Shore she spoil'd K. Edward's Back. Jane Shore she was, &c. io2 KING EDWARD AND JANE SHORE For this the Ancient Fathers did great Venus defy, Because with her own Father Jove she feared not to lie; Hence Cupid came, who afterwards reveng'd his loving Mother, And made kind Biblis do the like with Cornus her own Brother; And afterwards the Goddess kept Adonis for Reserve, But Jane Shore, Jane Shore she stretch'd King Edward's Nerve. Jane Shore she was, &c. The Colchin Dame Msedea her Father did betray, And taught her I.over Jason how the Vigilant Bull to slay; And after, thence convey'd her Father's golden Fleece, She with her Lover sail'd away in Argus Ship to Greece : But finding Jason False, she burnt his Wife and Court, But Jane Shore, Jane Shore she shew'd King Edward sport. Jane Shore she was, &c. Romix of Saxony the Welsh State overthrew, Igrseyn of Cornwal, Pendragon did subdue; KING EDWARD AND JANE SHORE 103 Queen Quinniver with Arthur fought singly hand to hand, In Bed, tho' afterwards she made Horns on his Head to stand : And to Sir Mordred Pictish Prince a Paramore became, But Jane Shore, Jane Shore she made King Edward tame. Jane Shore she was, &c. Marosia of Italy, see how she stoutly copes, With Jesuits, Priests and Cardinals, and tripple Crowned Popes; And with King Henry, Rosamond spent many a dallying Hour, Till lastly she was Poisoned in Woodstock fatal Bower : And Joan of Ark play'd in the Dark with the Knights of Languedock, But Jane Shore, met King Edward, and gave him Knock for Knock. Jane Shore she was, &c. .Pasiphae we know play'd feats with the Cretan Bull, And Proserpine, tho' so Divine, became black Pluto's Trull: The Spanish Baud her Strumpets taught to lay their Legs astride, 104 KING EDWARD AND JANE SHORE But these and all the Curtezans Jane Shore did them deride : Pope Joan was right, altho' she did the Papal Scepter Weild, But Jane Shore, Jane Shore she made King Ed- ward yield. Jane Shore she was, &c. Agathoclea and ^Enathe did govern Egypt's King ; The witty Wench of Andover, she was a pretty thing, She freely took her Lady's place, and with great Edgar Dally'd, And with main force she foil'd him quite, altho' he often rally'd : For which brave Act, he that her rack'd, gave her his Lady's Land, But Jane Shore, Jane Shore King Edward did command. Jane Shore she was, &c. Of Phryne and Lanva Historians have related, How their Illustrious Beauties, two Generals Cap- tivated : And they that in the Days of Yore kill'd Men and Sack'd their Cities, In Honour of their Mistresses composed Amorous Ditties : KING EDWARD AND JANE SHORE 105 Let Flora gay with Romans play, and be a Goddess call'd, But Jane Shore, Jane Shore, King Edward she enthrall'd. Jane Shore she was, &c. The Jolly Tanner's Daughter Harlot of Normandy, She only had the happiness to please Duke Robert's Eye; And Roxolana tho' a Slave, and born a Grecian, Could with a Nod, command and rule Grand Seignior Solyman: And Naples Joan would make them Groan that ardently did love her, But Jane Shore, Jane Shore King Edward he did Shove her. Jane Shore she was, &c. Aspatia doth of the Persian Brothers boast, Though Cynthia joy in the Lampathean Boy, Jane Shore shall rule the roast; Cleopatra lov'd Mark Anthony, and Brownal she did feats, But compar'd to our Virago, they were but meerly cheats, Brave Carpet Knights in Cupid's Fights, their milkwhite Rapiers drew, But Jane Shorejane Shore King Edward did subdue, Jane Shore she was, &c. 106 KING EDWARD AND JANE SHORE Hamlet's incestuous Mother, was Gartrude Den- mark's Queen, And Circe that enchanting Witch, the like was scarcely seen; Warlike Penthesile was an Amazonian Whore, To Hector and young Iroylus, both which did her adore, But brave King Edward, who before had gain'd Nine Victories, Was like a Bond-slave, fetter'd with Jane Shore's all conqu'ring Thighs: Jane Shore she was, &c. THE TOWN-RAKES 107 THE TOWN-RAKES [b. 1707] [Attributed to Motteux; music in Pills to Purge Melancholy (1707), iii. 202 ; set by D. PurcellJ. What Life can coinpare with the jolly Town Rakes, When in his full swing of all Pleasure he takes? At Noon he gets up for a wet and to Dine, And Wings the swift Hours with Mirth, Musick, and Wine, Then jogs to the Play-house and chats with the Masques, And thence to the Rose where he takes his three Flasks, There great as a Caesar he revels when drunk, And scours all he meets as he reels, as he reels to his Punk, And finds the dear Girl in his Arms when he wakes, What Life can compare to the jolly Town-Rakes, the Jolly Town- Rakes. He like the Great Turk has his favourite She, But the Town's his Seraglio, and still he lives free; 108 THE TOWN-RAKES Sometimes she's a Lady, but as he must range, Black Betty, or Oyster Moll serve for a Change : As he varies his Sports his whole Life is a Feast, He thinks him that is soberest is most like a Beast : All Houses of Pleasure, breaks Windows and Doors, Kicks Bullies and Cullies, then lies with their Whores : Rare work for the Surgeon and Midwife he makes, What Life can Compare with the jolly Town- Rakes. Thus in Covent-Garden he makes his Campaigns, And no Coffee-House haunts but to settle his Brains ; He laughs at dry Mortals, and never does think, Unless 'tis to get the best Wenches and Drink : He dwells in a Tavern, and lives ev'ry where, And improving his Hour, lives an age in a Year : For as Life is uncertain, he loves to make haste, And thus he lives longest because he lives fast; Then leaps in the Dark, and his Exit he makes, What Death can compare with the jolly Town- Rakes. THE CRAB-TREE 109 THE CRAB-TREE [c. 1707] [A Broadside Ballad]. The Moon was pendulous above, The Sun had gain'd the Naider, When Sylvia, full of Youth and Love, In loose Attire array'd her. The twinkling Stars intic'd her out, And she decoy'd her Sister; And while she briskly tript about, The Boughs wou'd fain have kist her. Resign'd to mirth, thus Sylvia said; Come hither, Sister Chloe: I've learn'd to stand upon my Head, Observe me, Girl, I'll show ye. She did what she design'd to do, Her Legs were wide extended, Her expos'd to open view, Since nothing could defend it. no THE CRAB-TREE To steal Paremains, upon a tree, Hard by, a Boy was mounted, From him the Tale devolved to me, Most faithfully recounted. I heard the merry Wagg protest, The Muff between her Haunches, Resembl'd much a Mag-Pye's Nest Between two lofty Branches. In this inviting Posture stood The Lady near a minute, Jack pickt the largest Fruit he cou'd, And fairly chuckt it in it. It there took Root, the Soil was fine, Pray credit what I tell ye, And, like the visionary Vine, It overspread her Belly. In pleasing Shades the Stalks arose, And rang'd themselves in Order; And where the bubbling Fountain flows Hung wav'ring o'er its Border. Since Chance had fixt it growing there, And Fortune plac'd the Root on't, For want of necessary Care, Crabs only were the Fruit on't. THE HARLOT UN-MASK'D hi THE HARLOT UN-MASK'D [c. 1707] [A Broadside Ballad ; tune, The King and the Miller]. How happy the State does the Damsel possess ? Who would be no greater, nor can be no less: On her Quim and herself depends for Support: And is better than all the Prime Ladies at Court : What though she in Grogram and Lindsey does go, Nor boasts of gay Cloathing, to make a fine Show ; A Girl in this dress may be sweeter by far, Than she that is stitch'd by a Garter and Star, Than she that is, &c. Tho' her Hands they are red, and her Bubbies are coarse, Her Quim, for all that, may be never the worse : A Girl more polite with less Vigour may play, And her Passion in Accents less charming convey : What tho' a brisk fellow she sometimes may lack, When warm with Desire, and stretch'd on her Back : In this too great Ladies Example afford, ii2 THE HARLOT UNMASK'D Who oft put a Footman in Room of a Lord, Who oft put a Footman, &c. Or should she endeavour new Conquests to make, In this too she Mimicks the Punks of the State: ^ r hose Aim is all one for to get a good Stroak ; As all her Concern's to supply her Black Toak : Each Night when Sport's over, and Love's Foun- taiu's dry, She, weary with Stitching, contented does lie: Then 'wakes in the Morning so brisk and so keen : If so happy a Harlot, then who'd be a Queen ? If so happy a Harlot, &c. THE SUBURBS IS A FINE PLACE 113 THE SUBURBS IS A FINE PLACE [c. 1707] [From Pills to Purge Melancholy (1707), iii. 99; tune, London is a fine 7bzv?i~\. The Suburbs is a fine Place belonging to the City, It has no Government at all, alack the more the Pity; A Wife, a silly Animal, esteemeed in that same Place, For there a Civil Woman's now asham'd to shew her Face : The Misses there have each Man's Time, his Money, nay, his Heart, Then all in all, both great and small, and all in ev'ry Part. Which Part it is a thorough-fair so open and so large, One well might sail through ev'ry Tail even in a western Barge; These Cracks that Coach it now, when first they came to Town, Did turn up Tail for a Pot of Ale in Linsey Wolsey Gown. MERRY SONGS IV. 8 ii4 THE SUBURBS IS A FINE PLACE The Bullies first debauch'd 'em, in Baudy Covent- Garden, That filthy place, where ne'er a Wench was ever worth a Farthing; And when their Maiden-heads are sold to sneak- ing Lords, Which Lords are Clapt at least nine-fold for taking of their Words. And then my Lord, that many tries, she looks so Innocent, Believing he Infected her, he makes a Settlement ; These are your Cracks, who skill'd in all kind of Debauches, Do daily piss, spue, and whore, in their own glass Coaches. Now Miss turn Night-walker, till Lord-Mayor's Men she meets, O'er Night she's Drunk, next Day she's finely flogged thro' London streets; After their Rooms of State are chang'd to Bulks or Coblers Stalls, 'Till Poverty and Pox agree, they dying in Hospitals. This Suburbs gallant Fop that takes delight in Roaring, He spends his time in Huffing, Swearing, Drink- ing, and in Whoring; THE SUBURBS IS A FINE PLACE 115 And if an honest Man and his Wife meet them in the Dark, Makes nothing to run the Husband through to get the name of Spark. But when the Constable appears, the Gallant, let me tell ye, His Heart defiles his Breeches, and sinks into his Belly; These are the silly Rogues that think it fine and witty, To laugh and joak at Aldermen, the Rulers of the City. They'd kiss our Wives, but hold, for all their plotting Pates, While they would get us Children, we are getting their Estates; And still in vain they Court pretending in their Cares, That their Estates may thus descend unto the Lawful Heirs. Their Play-houses I hate, are Shops to set off Wenches, Where Fop and Miss, like Dog and Bitch, do couple under Benches; That I might advise the chiefest Play-house monger, u6 THE SUBURBS IS A FINE PLACE I have a Sister of my own both Handsomer and Younger. She lives not far off in the Parish of St. Clements, She never liv'd in Cellar nor sold Oranges and Lemons : Then why should Play-house Trulls with Paint and such Temptations, Be an Eye sore to me and more to the best part o'th' Nation. Now you that all this while have listened to my Dity, With streightened Hands pray drink a Health unto this noble City : And let us pray to Jove, these Suburb folks to mend, And having now no more to say, I think it fit to end. "THE SUN WAS JUST SETTING" 117 " THE SUN WAS JUST SETTING " [c. 1707] [From Pills to Purge Melancholy (1707), i. 252; set by R. Leveridge]. The Sun was just Setting, the Reaping was done, And over the Common I tript it alone; Then whom should I meet, but young Dick of our Town, Who swore e'er I went I shou'd have a Green- gown : He prest me, I stumbl'd, He push'd me, I Tumbl'd, He Kiss'd me, I Grumbl'd, But still he Kiss'd on, Then rose and went from me as soon as he'd done. If he be not hamper'd for serving me so, May I be worse Rumpl'd, Worse Tumbl'd, and Jumbl'd, Where ever, where ever I go. Before an old Justice I Summon'd the Spark, And how do you think I was serv'd by his Clark ; He pull'd out his Inkhorn, and ask'd me his Fee, You now shall relate the whole Business, quoth he. u8 "THE SUN WAS JUST SETTING" He prest me, I stumbl'd, He push'd me, I Tumbl'd, He Kiss'd me, I Grumbl'd, But still he Kiss'd on, Then rose and went from me as soon as he'd done. The Justice then came, tho' grave was his look, Seem'd to Wish I would Kiss him instead of the Book, He whisper'd his Clark then, and leaving the place, I was had to his Chamber to open my Case. He prest me, I stumbl'd, He push'd me, I Tumbl'd, He Kiss'd me, I Grumbl'd, But still he Kiss'd on, Then rose and went from me as soon as he'd done. I went to our Parson to make my Complaint, He look'd like a Bacchus, but Preach'd like a Saint; He said we shou'd soberly Nature refresh, Then Nine times he Urg'd me to Humble the Flesh. He prest me, I stumbl'd, He Push'd me, I Tumbl'd He Kiss'd me, I grumbl'd, But still he Kiss'd on, Then rose and went from me as soon as he'd done. If he be not hamper'd for serving me so, May I be worse Rumpl'd, Worse Tumbl'd, and Jumbl'd, Where ever, where ever I go. "A SOLDIER AND A SAILOR" 119 "A SOLDIER AND A SAILOR" [c. 1707] [From Pills to Purge Melancholy (1707), i. 22~j\ A Soldier and a Sailor, a Tinker and a Taylor, Had once a doubtful Strife, Sir, To make a Maid a Wife, Sir, Whose Name was Buxome Joan, Whose Name was Buxome Joan : For now the time was ended, When she no more intended To lick her Lips at Man, Sir, And gnaw the Sheets in vain, Sir, And lie a Nights alone, And lie a Nights alone. The Soldier swore like Thunder, He lov'd her more than Plunder; And shew'd her many a Scar, Sir, Which he had brought from far, Sir, With fighting for her sake : The Taylor thought to please her, With offering her his Measure; The Tinker too with Mettle, 120 "A SOLDIER AND A SAILOR" Said he wou'd mend her Kettle, And stop up ev'ry Leak. But while these three were prating, The Sailor slily waiting; Thought if it came about, Sir, That they shou'd all fall out, Sir, He then might play his part; And just e'en as he meant, Sir, To Loggerheads they went, Sir, And then he let fly at her, A Shot 'twixt Wind and Water, Which won this fair Maids Heart. "A SHEPHERD KEPT SHEEP" 121 "A SHEPHERD KEPT SHEEP ON A HILL SO HIGH" [c. 1707] [Words by Durfey ; music in Pills to Purge Melancholy (ijoj), iii. 107 ; tune, Lane's Maggot}. ' A Shepherd kept Sheep on a Hill so high, fa, la, la, &c. And there came a pretty Maid passing by, fa, la, &c. Shepherd, quoth she, dost thou want e'er a Wife, No by my troth I'm not weary of my Life, fa, la, la, &c. Shepherd for thee I care not a Fly, fa, la, la, For thou'st not the Face with a fair Maid to lie, fa, la, How now my Damsel, say'st thou me so, Thou shalt tast of my bottle before thou dost go, fa, la. Then he took her and laid her upon the Ground, fa, la, 122 "A SHEPHERD KEPT SHEEP" And made her believe that the World went round, fa, la, Look yonder my Shepherd, look yonder I spy, There are fine pretty Babies that dance in the Sky, fa, la. And now they are vanisht, and now they appear, fa, la, Sure they will tell Stories of what we do here, fa, la, la, Lie still my dear Chloris, enjoy thy Conceit, For the Babes are too young and too little to prate, fa, la, la. See how the Heavens fly swifter than Day, fa, la, la, Rise quickly, or they will all run away, fa, la, la, Rise quickly my Shepherd, quickly I tell ye, For the Sun, Moon and Stars are got all in my Belly, fa, la, O dear, where am I ? pray shew me the way, fa, la, la, Unto my Father's House hard by, fa, la, la, If he chance to Chide me for staying so long, I'll tell him the fumes of your Bottle were strong, fa, la, la. And now thou hast brought my Body to shame, fa, la, "A SHEPHERD KEPT SHEEP" 123 I prithee now tell me what is thy Name, fa, la, la, Why Robin in the Rushes my Name is, quoth he, But I think I told her quite contrary, fa, la, la. Then for Robin in the Rushes, she did enquire, fa, la, la, But he hung down his Head, and he would not come nigh her, fa, la, la, He wink'd with one Eye, as if he had been Blind, And he drew one Leg after a great way behind, fa, la, la. 124 WOMAN WEARS THE BREECHES THE WOMAN WEARS THE BREECHES [e. 1707] [From Pills to Purge Melancholy (1707), ii. 63 ; tune, Chivy Chace\, A Pox upon this cursed Life, Where shall I make my moan? For I am troubled with a Wife, Like her there's few or none. Like unto her there cannot be Another such a one : For when the Priest did Marry me, Then my good Days were gone. Therefore take heed good Neighbours all, I wish you to beware, For when my Wife doth Scold and Baul, Then Skimington is there. This sawcy Jack behind my Back, And eke before mv Face: Maintains my Wife to Bait and Strife, Which is a Woful Case. WOMAN WEARS THE BREECHES 125 And now I see no Remedy, But I must needs complain On him you know, that wrought this Woe, In England or in Spain. One Skimington about doth run, In City and in Town, Come Man and Child with Spear and Shield, And help to beat him down. And you good Wives, bring out your Knives, And cut out both his Stones; And two or three then may agree, To break some of his Bones. With Rakes and Reels, and Oven-Peels, With Mawkin and with Flayl; With Whips and Slings, and other things, To beat him Top and Tail. Then let him run to Islington, Or else into the Vyes, Where two or three they may agree To pick out both his Eyes. Then let him fly to Coventry, Or else to London-stone, And like a wretch in Middlesex, There let him make his Moan. 126 WOMAN WEARS THE BREECHES All Marry'd Men that see him then, Will shake their Heads, and say, He shall have neither Meat nor Drink, But let him march away. Then all the Bells in London Town Shall ring both fine and brave, When they have bury'd Skimington, And laid him in his Grave. THE GREEN-GOWN 127 THE GREEN-GOWN [c. 1707] [From Pills to Purge Melancholy (1707), ii. 26 ; music in Chappell's Popular music, 323]. Pan leave Piping, the Gods have done Feasting, There's never a Goddess a Hunting to Day: Mortals marvel at Condon's Jesting, That gives the assistance to entertain May. The Lads and the Lasses, with Scarfs on their Faces, So lively as passes, trip over the Downs: Much Mirth and Sport they make, running at Barleybreak ; Lord what haste they make for a Green-gown ! John with Gillan, Harry with Frances, Meg and Mary, with Robin and Will, George and Margery lead all the Dances, For they were reported to have the best Skill : But Cicily and Nancy, the fairest of many, That came last of any, from out of the Towns, Quickly got in among the midst of all the Throng, They so much did long for their Green-gowns. 128 THE GREEN-GOWN Wanton Deborah whispered with Dorothy, That she would wink upon Richard and Sym, Mincing Maudlin shew'd her Authority, And in the Quarrel would venture a Limb. But Sibel was sickly, and could not come quickly, And therefore was likely to fall in a Swoon, Tib would not tarry for Tom, nor for Harry, Lest Christian should carry away the Green-gown. Blanch and Bettrice, both of a Family, Came very lazy lagging behind ; Annise and Aimable noting their Policy, Cupid is cunning, although he be blind : But Winny the Witty, that came from the City, With Parnel the Pretty, and Besse the Brown ; Clem, Joan, and Isabel, Sue, Alice and bonny Nell, Travell'd exceedingly for a Green-gown. Now the Youngsters had reach'd the green Meadow, Where they intended to gather their May, Some in the Sun-shine, some in the Shadow, Singled in Couples did fall to their Play; But constant Penelope, Faith, Hope and Charity, Look'd very modestly, yet they lay down; And Prudence prevented what Rachel repented, And Kate was contented to take a Green-gown. Then they desired to know of a truth, If all their Fellows were in the like Case, THE GREEN-GOWN 129 Nem call'd for Ede, and Ede for Ruth, Ruth for Marcy, and Marcy for Grace; But there was no speaking, they answer'd with squeaking, The pretty Lass breaking the head of the Clown ; But some were Wooing, while others were doing, Yet all their going was for a Green-gown. Bright Apollo was all this while peeping, To see if his Daphne had been in the Throng; But missing her hastily downwards was creeping, For Thetis imagin'd he tarried too long: Then all the Troop mourned and homeward re- turned, For Cynthia scorned to smile, or to frown; Thus they did gather May, all the long Summer-day, And at Night went away with a Green-Gown. .MERRY 90NOS IV. i 3 o THE RESOLUTION THE RESOLUTION [c. 1707] [From Pills to Purge Melancholy (1707), ii. 118; set by Mr. King]. Now fie upon a Jealous Brain, That doth his Love mistrust, Whose scorching Blood runs through each Vein, To Judge his Looks unjust: Give me that noble minded Heart, That never will do' so, But Loves by Nature, not by Art, And let all others go. Let no Man think that Cupid's Shot, Can wound an Honest Breast, He that still fears a Jealous Plot, Will never live at rest: That Man I love that hates to fear The slander of a Foe, 'Tis he that shall my Favour wear, And let all others go. If any do my Vertue Praise, And thinks to flatter me, THE RESOLUTION 13 r His Subtile Tongue his Heart betrays, His Follies I can see; That Man I'll have, will not suspect, An honest Woman's No, 'Tis he shall be my choice Elect, And let all others go. Some Men by Witchcraft seek to gain, Their Love with charmed Spice, Such Love I scorn to entertain, Fram'd by a base device; I'll humour him that seeks no Charms, Nor Cerberus Cups below, I'll hug him in my Ivory Arms, And let all others go. He that threatens when I smile, I'll vex him when he weeps; He that Loves but a Watching while, I'll Horn him when he Sleeps: But he that with unspotted Breast, Bears Love as pure as Snow, Shall be my Guest at Cupid's Feast, And let all others go. 132 CONSENT AT LAST CONSENT AT LAST [c. 1 707] [From Pills to Purge Melancholy (1707), ii. 82; set by Mr. Akeroyde]. Ladys, why doth Love torment you? Cannot I your Griefs remove? Is there none that can content you With the sweet delights of Love? O No, no, no, no, no, &c. Beauty in a perfect Measure, Hath the Love and wish of all : Dear, than shall I wait the Pleasure, That commands my Heart and all : O No, no, no, no, no, &c. If I grieve, and you can ease me, Will you be so fiercely bent, Having wherewithal to please me, Must I still be Discontent? O No, no, no, no, no, &c. If I am your faithful Servant, And my Love does still remain; CONSENT AT LAST 133 Will you think it ill deserved, To be favour'd for my pain? O No, no, no, no, no, &c. If I should then but crave a Favour, Which your Lips invite me to, Will you think it ill Behaviour Thus to steal a Kiss or two? O No, no, no, no, no, &c. All Amazing Beauty's Wonder, May I presume your Breast to touch? Or to feel a little under, Will you think I do too much? O No, no, no, no, no, &c. Once more fairest, let me try ye, Now my wish is fully sped, If all Night, I would lye by ye, Shall I be refus'd your Bed. O No, no, no, no, no, &c. 134 THE MIDWIVES CHRISTENING SONG THE MIDWIVES CHRISTENING SONG [c. 1707] [From Pills to Purge Melancholy (1707), i. 330]. Let's consecrate a mighty Bowl, On this our solemn Meeting, To recreate those Female Hearts, That sometime since were weeping: The Lady's Pangs are now no more, All Grief is banish'd from her; The lusty Boy has made his way, And nothing now can wrong her. Cho. By all the Gossips. O Mighty Power of active Love, How bravely hast thou wrought! From Something done, there's Something come, While many toyl for nought. Then dish about the Mother's Health, The Lads shall soon come after; Nor shall the Father be forgot, In hopes the next . a Daughter: Go on brave Pair, obey Command, THE MIDWIVES CHRISTENING SONG 135 And multiply together; May Strength increase, And Wealth ne'er cease, Nor may you part for ever. Cho. By all the Gossips. mighty Power of active Love, &c. 136 THE LONG VOCATION THE LONG VOCATION : OR A NEW TOUCH OF THE TIMES WITH THE COMICAL HUMOURS OF NEW BeTHLEM, Dr. Trotter the never-born Doctor, and the musick-house [c. 1707] [From Pills to Purge Melancholy (1707), iii. 65]. In the long Vocation, When Business was scanty, But Cherries, and Whores, Extraordinary Plenty. When News came to England, The best e'er was known, All our Armies Victorious, The French overthrown. When Quality withdrew To their Grotto's of Pleasure, And Ladies to the Wells, To spend their Lord's Treasure. THE LONG VOCATION 157 When decripped old Sinners, To the Bath did resort, For venereal Distempers, As well as the Sport. When the Red Robe was gone, To the Country Assizes, And Butchers, and Carmen, Were fighting of Prizes. When Orthodox also, From the Pulpit did roar; 'Twas the Sins of the Nation, Maid our Taxes so sore. When young Golden Captains, Did walk the Parade ; But a draught, once in motion, Were always afraid. When the Cits did retire, To their Country-Houses; Leaving Servants at home, To lye with their Spouses. When Wives too would junket, While their Cuckolds did sleep: And spend more in a Night, Then they got in a Week. 13B THE LONG VOCATION When high topping Merchants, Were daily beset; And Statutes of Bankrupts, Fill'd half our Gazet. When Lawyers had not Money, Nor Shop-keepers Trade ; And our Nation preparing Another to invade. When the Season was to hot, For the goggle ey'd Jews ; To exercise their Faculties, In Drury-Lane Stews. When Inns of Court-Rakes, And Quill-driving Prigs, Flock'd to St. James's, To shew their long Whiggs. When Sodomites were so impudent, To ply on the Exchange; And by Day-light the Piazza's Of Covent-Garden to range. When the Theatre Jilts, Would S — ve for a Crown; And for want of brisk Trading, Patrol'd round the Town. THE LONG VOCATION 139 When Debauches of both Sexes, From Hospitals crept; Where Nine Months at least, In Flannel they slept. When Drapers smugg'd Prentices, With Exchange Girls most jolly; After Shop was shut up, Could Sail to the Folly. When the Amorous Thimberkins, In Pater-noster-Row ; With their Sparks on an Evening, Could Coach it to Bow. When Poets and Players, Were so damnable poor; That a Three-penny Ordinary, They often would Score. When De Foe and the Devil, At Leap-Frog did play; And huffing proud Vintners, Broke every Day. When Chamber-maids dress'd, In their Mistresses Cloaths; Walk'd in all Publick places, To Ogle the Beaus. i 4 o THE LONG VOCATION When Tally-men had no Faith, With Strumpets and Whores; But nap'd them in the Streets, By Dozens and Scores. When Informers were Rogues, And took double pay; Much worse than the Persons, They are hir'd to betray. When Serjeants were so vigilant, 'Twas impossible to shame 'em; But whip see Jethro', immediately, G Eternally D 'em. When Brewers to the Victuallers Was so cursed severe, They scarce would give Credit, For a Barrel of Beer. Thus is it not evident, Tap-lashes don't thrive; Since they swarm in most Prisons, Like Bees in a Hive? But you Blue Apron Tribe, Let this caution prevail ; Be not too Saucy, Lest you Rot in a Goal. THE LONG VOCATION 141 At this Juncture of time, I strol'd to Moor-Fields; Much us'd by the Mob, To exercise their Heels. Also fam'd for a Conjurer, The Devil's head Proctor; Where a little below him, Dwells the never born Doctor. Two such Impudent Rascals, For Lying and Prating; That the Series of their Lives, Is not worth my Relating. My Pockets being lin'd well, With Rhino good store; And Inclinations much bent, After a thins- call'd a Whore. o To gratifie my Lust, I went to the Star; Where immediately I espy'd, A Whore in the Bar. Whose Phiz was most charming, And as demure as a Saint; But con ly bedaub'd, With Patches and Paint. i 4 2 THE LONG VOCATION Sweet Lady, cry'd I, I vow and protest ; The Sight of your Charms, Have so wounded my Breast. That I am downright in Love, And my Life shall Destroy; If you do not admit me, Your Favour to enjoy. Cringing in her A The B then reply'd; My favour, kind Sir, Shall never be deny'd. Will you please to walk up, Or be private below; Here Boy, with a Bed in't, The Gentleman show. Then backwards we went, To a Cavern behind ; But such an intricate Place, The Devil could not find. Where Wine being brought, And the Fellow withdrawn; I carest her with Love, She made a return. THE LONG VOCATION 143 No Pigs in a Stye, Or Goats in Bad Weather; E'er nussl'd so close, Or more Amorous together. We Kiss'd and we bill'd, We tickled and toy'd; And more than once, Our selves we Enjoy'd. But the Reckoning grew high, Which would make my Pocket low; So how for to Bilk 'em, I did not well know. But at last by a Stratagem, Pretending to rally; While she went for more Wine, I whip'd into an Ally. And was so dexterous nimble, They could not pursue; So got rid of my Mistress, And D Reckoning too. Recovering the Fields, I was void of all Fear; And the next place to Bedlam, My Course I did steer. i 44 THE L0NG VOCATION Where was such amphibious Crowds, I ne'er saw before; Harlots for the Water, As well as the Shore. But one above the rest, So wondrous Trim; You would sware she was a Hick, And no common Brim. Accosted me presently, And call'd me her Love; But I soon did dismiss her, With a Kick and a Shove. For the Jade was so homely, The D would not touch her; Fit only for a Dray-man, Or White-Chappel Butcher. But had not walk'd long, Before a rare one I espy'd ; Bright as a Goddess, And adorn'd like a Bride. With a rich Furbelow Scarf, Worth at least Forty Shilling; And when I ask'd her a Question, Was extraordinary willing. THE LONG VOCATION 145 So to the Tavern we went, A Curse on the Place ; For her Love was so hot, It soon fir'd my A Where after a Flask, Which I swore she should pay; We took both our leaves, And went strait away. The Plague of my Sins, Made me damnable sore; That my Wife soon concluded, I'd been with a W . She scolded so loud, And continu'd her Clamour; I could not forbear, But to C her and D her. We made such a Noise, And con ed a Racket; My Landlady knew, I'd been searching the Placket. And being good natur'd, To make up the Matter; Came down in her Smock, With Jenny her Daughter. MERRY SONGS IV. lO i 4 6 THE LONG VOCATION Ah! Tennant (quoth She,) Let this fault be remitted; If he'll beg but your Pardon, He shall be acquitted. For to speak by the by, And I'm sure 'tis fact; You and I have been guilty, Of many such Act. "IN THE PLEASANT MONTH" 147 "IN THE PLEASANT MONTH OF MAY" [e. 1707] [From Pills to Purge Melancholy (1707), iii. 177; tune, The Catherine]. In the pleasant Month of May, When the merry, merry Birds began to sing; And the Blossoms fresh and gay; Usher'd in the welcome Spring, When the long cold Winter's gone, And the bright enticing Moon, In the Evening sweetly shon: When the bonny Men and Maids tript it on the Grass ; At a jolly Country Fair, When the Nymphs in the best appear; We resolv'd to be free, with a Fiddle and a She, E'ery Shepherd and his Lass. In the middle of the Sport, When the Fiddle went brisk and the Glass went round, And the Pretty gay Nymphs for Court, With their Merry Feet beat the Ground 148 " IN THE PLEASANT MONTH " Little Cupid arm'd unseen, With a Bow and Dart stole in, With a conquering Air and Mien, And empty 'd his Bow thro' the Nymphs and the Swains ; E'ery Shepherd and his Mate, Soon felt their pleasing Fate, And longing to try in Enjoyment to die, Love reign'd o'er all the Plains. Now the sighing Swain gave o'er, And the wearied Nymphs could dance no more There were other Thoughts that mov'd, E'ery pretty kind Pair that Lov'd : In the Woods the Shepherds lay, And mourn'd the time away, And the Nymphs as well as they, Long'd to taste what it is that their Senses cloys, Till at last by consent of Eyes, E'ery Swain with his pretty Nymph flies, E'ery Buxom She retires with her He, To act Love's solid Joys. THREE GLORIOUS THINGS 149 THREE GLORIOUS THINGS [c. 1707] [From Pills to Purge Melancholy (1707), ii. 127; set by Mr. Tenoc]. It is my Delight both Night and Day, To Praise the Women as much as I may ; Three Things be glorious, I'll tell you if I can, The Sun, an Angel, and a Woman. It is my Delight both Night and Day, To Praise the Women as much as I may. Three things be Precious, I'll tell you if I can, Bright Pearl, fine Gold, and a Woman. It is my Delight both Night and Day, &c. Three things there be Lowring, I'll tell you if I can, A Pidgeon, a Turtle-Dove, and a Woman. It is my Delight both Night and Day, &c. 150 THREE GLORIOUS THINGS Three things there be Loving, I'll tell you if I ean, An Ape, an old Fox, and a Woman. It is my Delight both Night and Day, &c. Three things will be Angry, I'll tell you if I can, A Wasp, a Weasel, and a Woman. It is my Delight both Night and Day, &c. Three things will be scratching, I'll tell you if I can, A Cat, a Brier, and a Woman. It is my Delight both Night and Day, &c. Three things will be a Chattering, I'll tell you if I can, A Pye, a Popinjay, and a Woman. It is my Delight both Night and Day, &c. Three things will lie close to a Man, I'll tell you if I can, A Flea, a Louse, and a Woman. It is my Delight both Night and Day, &c. Three things must be Beaten, I'll tell you if I can, A Stock-fish, a Mill-stone, and a Woman. It is my Delight both Night and Day, &c. THREE GLORIOUS THINGS 151 Three things must be stuffed, I'll tell you if I can; A Pudding, a Cushion, and a Woman. It is my Delight both Night and Day, &c. Three things there are ill to Tame, I'll tell you if I can, The Devil, a Wild-Colt, and a Woman, It is my Delight both Night and Day, &c. Three things there are will make you Lean, I'll tell you if I can, Brown Bread, small drink, and a curst Quean. It is my Delight both Night and Day, &c. From these three Plagues, I'll pray as I can, To bless and to keep every Honest Man. It is my Delight both Night and Day, To Praise the Women as much as I may. 152 MERCHANT AND FIDLER'S WIFE THE MERCHANT AND THE FIDLER'S WIFE [c. 1707] [From Pills to Purge Melancholy (1707), iii. 153]. It was a Rich Merchant Man, That had both Ship and all; And he would cross the salt Seas, Tho' his cunning it was but small. The Fidler and his Wife, They being nigh at hand; Would needs go sail along with him, From Dover unto Scotland. The Fidler's Wife look'd brisk, Which made the Merchant smile ; He made no doubt to bring it about, The Fidler to beguile. Is this thy Wife the Merchant said, She looks like an honest Spouse; Ay that she is, the Fidler said, That ever trod on Shoes. MERCHANT AND FIDLER'S WIFE 15; Thy Confidence is very great, The Merchant then did say; If thou a Wager darest to bet, I'll tell thee what I will lay. I'll lay my Ship against thy Fiddle, And all my Venture too; So Peggy may gang along with me, My Cabin for to View. If she continues one Hour with me, Thy true and constant Wife ; Then shalt thou have my Ship and be, A Merchant all thy Life. The Fidler was content, He Danc'd and Leap'd for joy; And twang'd his Fiddle in merriment, For Peggy he thought was Coy. Then Peggy she went along, His Cabin for to View; And after her the Merchant- Man, Did follow, we found it true. When they were once together, The Fidler was afraid; For he crep'd near in pitious fear, And thus to Peggy he said. i 5 4 MERCHANT AND FIDLER'S WIFE Hold i >ut, sweet Peggy hold out, For the space of two half Hours; If thou hold out, I make no doubt, But the Ship and Goods are ours. In troth, sweet Robin, I cannot, He hath got me about the Middle; He's lusty and strong, and hath laid me along, O Robin thou'st lost thy Fiddle. If I have lost my Fiddle, Then am I a Man undone ; My Fiddle whereon I so often play'd, Away I needs must run. O stay the Merchant said, And thou shalt keep thy place; And thou shalt have thy Fiddle again, But Peggy shall carry the Case. Poor Robin hearing that, He look'd with a Merry-chear; His wife she was pleas'd, and the Merchant was eas'd, And jolly and brisk they were. The Fidler he was mad, But valu'd it not a Fig; Then Peggy unto her Husband said, Kind Robin play us a Jigg. MERCHANT AND FIDLER'S WIFE 155 Then he took up his Fiddle, And merrily he did play ; The Scottish Jigg and the Horn-pipe, And eke the Irish Hey. It was but in vain to grieve, The Deed it was done and past; Poor Robin was born to carry the Horn, For Peggy could not be Chast. Then Fidlers all beware, Your Wives are kind you see; And he that's made for the Fidling Trade, Must never a Merchant be. For Peggy she knew right well, Although she was but a Woman; That Gamesters Drink, and Fidlers Wives, They are ever Free and Common. 156 GILLIAN OF CROYDEN GILLIAN OF CROYDEN [By Durfey ; set to the time of Mall Peatly ; also in Pills to Purge Melancholy (1707), ii. 236]. One Holiday last Summer, From four to seven by Croyden Chimes, Three Lasses toping Rummers, Were set a prating of the Times, A Wife call'd Joan of the Mill, A Maid they call'd bonny brown Nell, A Widow mine Hostess Gillian of Croyden, Gillian of Croyden, Gillian, young Gillian, Jolly Gillian of Croyden, Take off your Glass, cry'd Gillian of Croyden, A Health to our Master Will. Ah! Joan, cry'd the Maiden, This Peace will bring in Mill'd Money store, We now shan't miss of Trading, And Sweet-hearts will come on thick ye Whore : No more will they fight and kill, But with us good Liquor will swill: These will be rare Times, cry'd Gillian of Croyden, Gillian of Croyden, Gillian, young Gillian, plump Gillian of Croyden, take off your Glass, cry'd GILLIAN OF CROYDEN 157 Gillian of Croyden, A Bumper to Master Will. We've now right Understanding, Hans, Dick, and Mounsieur shakes Hands i'th' Streets, Dragoons too are disbanding, Gadzooks, then Nelly let's watch our Sheets, For a Red-coat you know that has Will, Can plunder and pilfer with Skil; I'll look to my Smocks, cry'd Gillian of Croyden, Gillian of Croyden, Gillian, bold Gillian, wary Gillian of Croyden, take off your Glass, cry'd Gillian of Croyden, A Health to our Master Will. Nell, then with Arms a-Kembo, Cry'd News from Sea not so well does come; For want of Captain Bembo, The Chink and Pond are safe got home: Tho' he could not help that 111, The Fault lies in some Body still, Wou'd that Rogue were hang'd, cry'd Gillian of Croyden, Gillian of Croyden, Gillian, plump Gil, Loyal Gil. &c. Strange Lords will now come over, And all our Bells will ring out for Joy : 158 GILLIAN OF CROYDEN The Czar of Muscover Who is, Lord bless him, some ten Foot high: I'll see whate'er comes o'th' Mill, Wou'd our Lads were like him, cry'd Nell, Great pity they an't, cry'd Gillian of Croyden, Gillian of Croyden, Gillian, young Gillian, Tall Gillian of Croyden, Nevertheless, cry'd Gillian of Croyden, A Bumper to Master Will. Strange News, the Jacks of the City Have got, cry'd Joan, but we mind no Tales; That our good King thro' wonderful Pity, Will give his Crown to the Prince of Wales, That Peace may the stronger be still, And that they may no longer rebel, Pish! pox tis a Jest, cry'd Gillian of Croyden, Gillian of Croyden, Gillian, bold Gillian, witty Gillian of Croyden, Take off your Glass, cry'd Gillian of Croyden, A Health to our Master Will. So long top'd these Lasses, Till Tables, Chairs, and Stools went round, Strong Wine, and thumping Glasses, In three short Hours their Senses drown'd: Then home to her Grannum reel'd Nell, GILLIAN OF CROYDEN 159 And Joan no more Brimmers could fill, And off from her Chair drop'd Gillian of Croyden, Gillian Of Croyden, Gillian, plump Gillian, drunk Gillian of Croyden, here's the last drop, cry'd Gillian of Croyden, A Bumper to Master Will. i6o "JENNY MY BLITHEST MAID" "JENNY MY BLITHEST MAID" [c. 1707] [From Pills to Purge Melancholy (1707), i. 276]. Jenny, my blithest Maid, Prithee listen to my true Love now; I am a canny Lad, Gang along with me to yonder Brow: Aw the Boughs shall shade us round, While the Nightingale and Linnet teach us, How the Lad the Lass may woo, Come, and I'll shew my Jenny how to do. I ken full many a thing, I can dance, and can whistle too; I many a Song can sing, Pitch-Bar, and run and wrestle too: Bonny Mog of our Town, Gave me Bead-laces and Kerchers many, Only Jenny 'twas could win, Jockey from aw the Lasses of the Green. Then lig thee down my Beam, Ize not spoil the gawdy shining Geer; "JENNY MY BLITHES