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EBBA 21754

Magdalene College - Pepys
Ballad XSLT Template
The Country-mans care in choosing a Wife:
OR, A young Batchelor hard to be pleased.
A wife he'l have, yet will be sure to chuse
One that he loves, the rest he doth refuse;
And many sorts of Maids, he by hath past,
Being all unfit for him; until at last
Upon a Farmers daughter he doth pitch,
That's a good Huswife, vertuous, neat, and Rich:
Tune of, I'le have one I love, etc. Or, The Yellow-hair'd Laddy.

I Am a brisk Youngster,
and fain would be Wed,
And have a good Wife,
for to please me in Bed:
But I fear that in chusing,
she should me beguile:
Then i'le have one I love,
though I live the less while.

I'le not have a Girl that
is bred at the Court,
For fear she be given
to wanton and sport:
On every Gallant
she's apt for to smile,
Then i'le have, etc.

A Citizens Daughter
I dare not to take,
The steps of her Mother
she'l never forsake:
She'l make me look out,
you may see them a mile,
Then i'le have, etc.

No maker of Buttons,
nor yet of Bone-lace,
Shall e're be my Love,
though I dye on the place:
Although they do mince it,
and simper and smile;
Yet i'le have one I love,
though I live the less while.

MY Hostesses Daughter
she must be deny'd,
Because that I fear
she hath often been try'd:
Be sure she would fit me,
at Hedge, or at Stile,
But i'le have one I love,
though I live the less while.

She that hath much Suitors,
and's loath to be won;
And many a Young-man
she perhaps hath undone:
It is not her cunning
that shall me beguile,
For i'le have, etc.

A Wench that's imperious,
and strives for to rule;
If that I should take her,
you'd count me a Fool:
She wou'd make my Noddle
as sore as a Bite,
But i'le have, etc.

And she that is proud,
and hath nought to begin,
I would not for such a one,
give a Sleeves Pin:
As soon as a better,
my Bed she'l defile,
Then i'le have, etc.

I'le not have a Cook-Maid,
for she is too black,
And when she doth sweat,
her Smock sticks to her Back:
She'l scold and she'l brawl
you may hear her a mile:
But i'le have, etc.

The Lass that is fair,
to be sure she is proud,
And she that is little,
you know she is loud,
Against a good Husband,
they're apt to revile,
Then i'le have, etc.

But now for to tell you
the depth of my mind,
A Rich Farmers Daughter,
I have in the Wind,
For her I will Ride,
if it be forty mile,
And i'le have, etc.

'Tis she is my Betty
my Dear and delight,
Who hath my affections,
by day and by night:
To her I will go,
and i'le make her to smile,
For i'le have my own Love,
though I live the less while.


Printed for P. Brooksby, in West-smithfield.

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