THE
Crafty Lass of the West:
Or, A
Pleasant Ditty of a modest Maid, who Mortgag'd her
Maiden-Head for a High-Crown'd Hat.
Tune of Liggan-Water. Licensed according to Order.
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H Ere is a Jest I do protest,
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Of a young Damsel in the West ,
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Whose wit and beauty did excell
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Most Maids that in those parts did dwell.
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Therefore my Friends I pray attend,
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To this new Ditty which is penn'd;
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Then if you do not own the same,
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In troth you will be much to blame.
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One Morning, Sirs, it happen'd so,
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She to the Market Town would go,
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With Purse of Money great and small,
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To buy a High-Crown'd Hat withall.
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No sooner was this Lass come there,
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But she did to a Shop repair,
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Whereas her Charms did soon ensnare
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The Batchelor that lived there.
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Sweet Sir, said she, a Hat I d have
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And let it be as I shall crave,
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One that is Rich, and light to wear,
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He soon did fit her to a Hair.
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Tell me the Price, she then reply'd,
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Said he, Ten Shillings I deny'd;
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But I'll befriend thee, Love, he said,
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Because thou art a handsome Maid.
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Thou shalt enjoy it for a Crown,
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If thou wilt let me lay thee down,
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Upon a soft fine Feather-bed,
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And there ob[tain] [your] Maiden-head.
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The Damsel pausing, stood a while,
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At length she answer'd with a Smile,
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What Maiden-head, and Money too?
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I'faith kind Sir, that will not do.
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He streightways beckn'd her aside,
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Saying, If she would but abide
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With him, till the next Morning light,
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He'd give her this new Hat out-right.
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She did no more disputing stand,
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But struck the Bargain out of hand;
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And having given the Youth content,
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The Hat she took, and home she went.
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Now as she tripped on the way,
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The Damsel to her self did say,
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I with a High-Crown'd Hat am sped,
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For a meer silly Maiden-head.
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When to her Mother coming streight,
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This precious Bargain to relate;
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Said she, Dear Mother, as I'm true,
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A Hat I have and Money too.
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Why sawcy Slut, her Mother said,
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How was the good Shop-keeper paid?
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He had my Maiden-head, quoth she,
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Which has been long a Plague to me.
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The Mother then began to raive,
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And did her Daughter there beslave;
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Likewise she thrash'd her out of Door,
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Protesting she'd ne'er own her more.
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If this new Hat she did not take,
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And with all hast a Journey make,
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To give it him to whom she'd lain,
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And fetch her Maiden-head again.
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Much hast to Town this Damsel made,
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And to the Hatter thus she said;
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My Maiden-head you must restore,
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Or else I'm ruin'd evermore.
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Here take your Hat again she said,
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For I must have my Maiden-head:
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Come hither and lye by my side,
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I'll give it thee again, he cry'd.
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Now as the youthfull Shop-keeper,
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He was restoring that to her,
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Thrust it in further Sir, I pray,
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For fear I loose it by the way.
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Said he, 'Tis well, thou need'st not fear:
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These words her drooping Heart did cheer,
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She made him Court'sies to the Ground,
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Because she had such kindness found.
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She to her Mother went with speed,
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And told her that he was indeed
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An honest Man, for why, said she,
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He never made a word with me.
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But Housewife, had he not been so,
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It would have prov'd your overthrow;
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But since he did it thus restore,
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Be sure you play the Fool no more.
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