A constant Wife, a kinde Wife,
A loving Wife, and a fine Wife,
Which gives content unto mans life.
To the tune of, Lie lulling beyond thee.
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YOung men and maids lend me your aids,
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to sing of my deare Sweeting:
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It showes how Fortune hath betrayd's
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and often spoild our meeting.
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She likely was for to be rich,
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and I a man but meanely,
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Wharefore her friends at me did grutch,
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and usde me most unkindly.
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Her constancy I will declare,
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wherein she proved loyall:
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But few with her that will compare
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when they are put to tryall.
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Her friends against her did contend,
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because she lent me favour,
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They said, I quickly all would spend,
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if that I might but have her.
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They did convey her from my sight,
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because she should exempt me:
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I could not find my hearts delight,
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which sore did discontent me.
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I traveld over craggy rockes,
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ore mountaine, hills, and valleys,
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But she was kept from me with lockes,
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onely through spight and malice.
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But Love that conquers Kings and Queens,
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herin did shew us favour,
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It brought to passe, and wrought the meanes,
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in what place I should have her.
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She had an Uncle did detaine,
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and keep her presence from me:
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Whom I was very like t'have slaine,
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because he so did wrong me.
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I boldly came where he did dwell,
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and asked for my Sweeting:
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They said of her they could not tell,
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which was to me sad greeting.
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But presently shee heard my voyce,
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and call me at her windor.
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O I would come to thee my choise,
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but doores and lockes doe hinder.
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Whereat amazed I did stand,
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to heare her make that answer:
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I drew my sword into my hand,
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and straight the house did enter,
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And then I made the lockes to flie,
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and doores in pieces shatter:
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I vow'd to have her company,
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and quickly I came at her.
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Her Uncle and some of his men,
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did after present follow:
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Who said I should ne'r out againe,
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but in my blood should wallow:
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But with some hurt done on both sides,
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I brought my Sweet-heart from them,
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Young men to win yourselves such Brides,
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fight for to overcome them.
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Then joyn'd we hands in Hymens bands
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to love and live together,
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She lov'd me not for house nor lands,
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for I had none of either.
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Her love was pure, and doth endure,
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and so shall mine for ever:
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Till death doth us so much injure,
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as part us from each other.
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The second part, to the same tune.
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WIth hand and heart I will impart,
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the praises of my Sweeting,
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Now welcome joyes, and farewell smart,
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blest be the time of meeting
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With my Sweet-heart and onely Deare,
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in whom is all my pleasure.
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The like of her doth not appeare,
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she is so blest a treasure.
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O happy be the time and houre,
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that ere I saw her feature:
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Sure heavens blisse on me did showre,
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to send me such a creature.
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She is so pleasing to my minde,
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the like was never any,
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Shee's vertuous, wise, and very kinde,
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she farre surpasseth many.
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Her comely feature may compare
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with any in Towne or Citie,
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For courtesie she is most rare,
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likewise she is full of pitie.
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No vertue that can give content
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to any earthly creature,
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But God to her the same hath sent,
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to please the will of Nature.
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Her golden lockes like threeds of gold,
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her eyes like stars doe glitter,
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Her cheekes like Rose and Lillies fould,
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she may be Venus sister.
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Shee hath a handsome dimpled chin,
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her necke shines like the chrystall:
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Her like hath seldome times beene seene,
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she seemeth so celestiall.
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Her armes and shoulders are compleat
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her brests like Alabaster;
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Her waist and body is as neat,
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there's none that ere surpast her,
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Her eloquence gives such content
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to all that heare her phrases,
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That freely they'll give their consents
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to yeeld her earthly praises.
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Her Lilly hand is at command,
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to doe me any service:
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And quickly she will understand
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a matter whatsoere it is.
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If I bid goe shee will not stay,
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to worke any displeasure,
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But presently she goes her way.
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And is not this a treasure?
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Her parts below Ile not descry,
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but they are very neat ones,
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A dainty foot and leg, and thigh,
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as can be made of flesh and bones.
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Shee is so perfect in her parts,
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that many were inflamed,
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On her they wholly set their hearts,
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and at her fully aimed.
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Thus to conclude and end my song,
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I wish well to the female,
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Or else I sure should doe them wrong
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and prove my selfe a tell-tale
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Young men adue, be kind [and true]
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unto your onely Sweet[ing]
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Observe your time, you [need not rue,]
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nor curse the houre of [meeting]
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