The DAIRY-MAIDS Mirth and Pastime
ON
MAY-DAY.
The Young-Men they, with Damsels play, and many Sonnets Sing,
Their Joys Compleat, with Musick sweet, to welcome in the SPRING.
To the Tune of, Over Hills and high Mountains.
|
N Ow the Season of Winter
|
doth his power resign,
|
I, and Flora doth enter
|
in her Glory and prime,
|
To adorn the fair Bowers
|
in her gawdy Array,
|
With her sweet fragrant Flowers,
|
most gallant and gay.
|
Then the Lads and the Lasses
|
as I well may report,
|
In their pleasures surpasses
|
the gay Ladys at Court;
|
Though indeed they are Strangers
|
to rich Jewels and Rings,
|
In the shades they are Rangers,
|
where the Nightingale sings.
|
There is Simon and Sarah ,
|
Tom the Plow-man and Kate ,
|
Honest Harry and Mary ,
|
e'ry Man had his Mate:
|
Daniel Doewell and Dolly ,
|
all together did troule,
|
For to Dance and be Jolly,
|
round about the May-Pole.
|
There the Maids was for staying
|
all the day till dark night,
|
Where the Piper sat playing
|
of the Plow-man's Delight:
|
Bonny Nelly , with Winny ,
|
I, and Maudlin and Meg ,
|
Gillian , Joney , and Jenny ,
|
they were all for that Jigg.
|
All the Threshers then they play,
|
and with many men more,
|
For the honour of May-Day ,
|
whom thousands do adore;
|
Then they lay by their Labour,
|
I, and with them they bring
|
Both their Pipe and their Tabor,
|
for to welcome the Spring.
|
Jenny counts it her Duty,
|
with her amorous Swain,
|
And the Damsels of Beauty,
|
for to tend on the Train;
|
And a fountain of blisses,
|
which their pleasures do Crown,
|
With a thousand sweet Kisses,
|
till they Laugh and lye down.
|
They without disputation,
|
are as happy as Earls,
|
In the sweet Recreation
|
with their amorous Girls;
|
In their pleasure no treasure
|
or cost they will spare,
|
But will meet them, and treat them,
|
at each Wake and Fair.
|
Give them Ribbons and Laces,
|
while they follow their Suit,
|
With a thousand Embraces,
|
ah! and Kisses to boot;
|
E'ry Lover is toying,
|
but with innocent Mirth,
|
Which declare they're enjoying
|
all the pleasures on earth.
|
They will carefully tustle
|
at the Harrow and Plow,
|
Ever eating their Morsel
|
by the sweat of their brow;
|
Yet when Merry together,
|
then their hearts for a while,
|
Is as light as a Feather,
|
they forget all their toyl.
|
But the Day being ended,
|
then they trip o're the Downe,
|
E'ry Lass is befriended
|
with a dainty Green Gown;
|
Thus they p[lay] with their Sweeting
|
and in Love w[il]l remain,
|
Till the next merry Meeting,
|
to their Labour [?]gain.
|
|
|
|
|
|