The Fryer Well-fitted:
OR,
A pretty Jest that once befel,
How a Maid put a Fryer to cool in the Well.
To a Merry Tune.
|
A S I lay musing all alone,
|
fa, la, la. la, la,
|
A pretty jest I thought upon,
|
fa, la, la, la, la,
|
Then listen a while, and I will you tell.
|
Of a Fryer that lov'd a bonny Lass well
|
fa, la, la, la, la,
|
fa, la, la, lang-tre-down-dilly.
|
He came to the Maid when she went to bed
|
fa, la, etc.
|
Desiring to have her Maiden-head,
|
fa, la, etc.
|
But she denyed his desire
|
And told him, that she feared Hell fire.
|
fa, la, etc.
|
Tush (quod the Fryer) thou needst not doubt
|
fa, la, etc.
|
If thou wert in hell, I could sing thee out
|
fa, la, etc.
|
Then (quod the Maid) thou shalt have thy request
|
The Fryer was glad as a Fox in his nest
|
fa, la, etc.
|
But one thing (quoth she) I do desire
|
fa, la, etc.
|
Before you have what you require,
|
fa, la, etc.
|
Before that you shall do the thing
|
An Angel of money thou shalt me bring,
|
fa, la, etc.
|
Tush, (quoth the Fryer) we shall agree
|
fa, la, etc.
|
No money shall part my Love and me;
|
fa, la, etc.
|
Before that I will see thee lack;
|
I'le pawn my grey Gown from my back
|
fa, la, etc.
|
The Maid bethought her of a wile,
|
fa, la, etc.
|
How she the Fryer might beguile,
|
fa, la, etc.
|
While she was gone the truth to tell,
|
She hung a cloath before the well;
|
fa, la, la, la, la,
|
fa, la, la, lang-tre-down dilly.
|
T He Fryer came as his covenant was
|
fa, la, etc.
|
With money to his bonny Lass,
|
fa, la, etc.
|
Good morrow fair Maid, good morrow, quod he
|
Here is the money I promised thee.
|
fa, la, la, la, la,
|
fa, la, la, lang-tre-down-dilly.
|
she thankt the man, & she took his money
|
fa, la, etc.
|
Now let us go too't, (quod he) sweet honey
|
fa, la, etc.
|
Oh stay (quod she) some respite make,
|
My Father comes he will me take
|
fa, la, etc.
|
Alas (quod the Fryer) where shall I run,
|
fa, la, etc.
|
To hide me till that he be gone,
|
fa, la, etc.
|
Behind the cloth run thou (quod she)
|
And there my Father cannot thee see,
|
fa, la, etc.
|
Behind the cloth the Fryer crept,
|
fa, la, etc.
|
And into the well on sudden he leapt,
|
fa, la, etc.
|
Alas (quoth he) I am in the Well,
|
No matter (quod she) if thou wert in Hell;
|
fa, la, etc,
|
Thou say'st thou couldst sing me out of Hell
|
fa, la, etc.
|
Now prethee sing thy self out of the well
|
fa, la, etc.
|
The Fryer sung on with a pittiful sound
|
Oh help me out, or I shall be drown'd;
|
fa, la, etc.
|
I trow (quoth she) your courage is coll'd
|
fa, la etc.
|
(Quoth the Fryer) I never was so fool'd
|
fa, la, etc.
|
I never was served so before,
|
then take heed (quod she) thou com'st there no more,
|
fa, la, etc.
|
(Quoth he) for sweet Saint Francis sake
|
fa, la, etc.
|
On his Disciple some pitty take,
|
fa, la, etc.
|
(Quoth she) Saint Francis never taught
|
His Scholars, to tempt young Maids to naught;
|
fa, la, etc.
|
The Fryer did intreat her still,
|
fa, la; etc.
|
That she would help him out of the well
|
fa, la, etc.
|
she heard him make such pitious moan,
|
She help'd him out and bid him be gone;
|
fa la, etc.
|
(Quoth he) shall I have my money again
|
fa, la, etc.
|
Which thou from me hast before-hand tane
|
fa, la,
|
good sir (said she) there's no such matter
|
I'le make you pay for fouling my water
|
fa la, etc.
|
The Fryer went all along the street
|
fa, la, etc.
|
Dropping wet, like a new-wash d sheep,
|
fa, la, etc.
|
Both old and young commended the Maid
|
That such a witty prank had plaid,
|
fa, la, la, la, la,
|
fa la, la, lang-tre-down-dilly.
|
|
|
|
|
|