The Venturing Lover,
Or, John and Betties Wooing.
This Young Man he did Love this Maiden dear
But made as if for her he did not care,
For he her Fort did strive to enter
But she in battle with him would not venture,
And so to save each others Life
They both consented to be Man and Wife.
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A Man and a Maiden lately did walk
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Together, and both of them lovely did talk.
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The man replys none doth [us] assault
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then sweet wilt thou venture.
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Maid
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To venture kind sir, that would I very fain
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For that is the reason that hither I came,
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But you do dissemble I do tell you plain.
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therefore ile not venture.
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Man.
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I do not dissemble my honey and joy
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It is thy invention because thoul't be coy
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If thou canst but love me ile be thy own boy.
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then, etc.
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My boney sweet Betty I love thee so true
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There's no female that I can fancy like you
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Then he that dissembles is worse than a Jew.
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then etc.
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Sweet wilt thou go with me to yonder little town
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And ile call for a dinner shall cost me a Crown
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And as we come home i'le give thee a green gown
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then etc.
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Thou need not fear Betty ile do thee any wrong
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By thought, deed, or word that proceeds from my tongue,
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But only fulfil what to Lovers belong.
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then etc.
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YOu know young men & maids together will play
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Then why stands thou mute come speak yea or nay,
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But let us go forward and make no delay.
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then sweet wilt thou venture.
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Maid.
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To venture kind John I think it is in vain
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For my Maiden-head belike is your chiefest aim
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And when you have had your will then youl me disdain.
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therefore ile not venture,
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For young men will flatter dissemble and lye
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And proffer maids gifts their kindness to try,
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But at last leaves them to sing Lulla baby by.
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therefore, etc.
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Man.
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O prethee my dear do not think me no ill
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Since I to thy person do bear such good will,
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Ile wed thee ile swear if I do try my skill.
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then, etc.
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Theirs Alice, Sue, & Doll, and their's Isabel & Kate,
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Theirs Margaret & Bridget are handsome and neat
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Yet Kissing does them more good than their meat
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then etc.
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I heard Joan & Sarah and Jane often tell
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They lov'd Tom & Robin & Dick very well
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They had rather do so then lead Apes in hell,
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then etc.
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Maid.
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Now John I perceive you are fully bent
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To wrong a poor maiden it is your intent
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But go to such Girls as wont you prevent.
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therefore, etc.
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If Peg & Bridget are Girls for the Game
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Their's Harry & William will them all disdaine
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I love men that's civel I do tell you plain,
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therefore, etc.
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Theirs James Joe & Peter ile lay five to ten
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Their Richard & Thomas ile lay it agen
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With Lawrence & Daniel, all honest young men,
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therefore etc.
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Man.
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Now Betty I have try'd thee in every part
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Thy Wit & thy Beauty hath gain'd my heart.
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Come let us not tarry but strait go & marry.
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then etc.
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Come let us to Church my only sweet Girl
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For I prize thee more dear than Rubies or Pearl[s]
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And I love thee more dear than Lord Duke or Earl
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then etc.
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Maid.
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Well if that your tongue & heart do agree
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I willing am to wait upon thee,
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And to end further strife I will be thy wife.
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so with thee ile venture.
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The conclusion.
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They made hast to the Church & was married that tide
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& home the young man went & his lovely bride:
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And at night I did hear they lay side to side.
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then bold she did venture.
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Thus maids you do hear how young men will court
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Theyl see whether you'r civil, or Girls for the game
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Then dont yield to their way till your wedding day,
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then bold you may venture,
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