The Constant Lovers, OR, Billy's Invitation to his Sweet-heart Joaney: Being a Courtship to Joan, for Love and Favour.
To a New Northern Tune. I often for my Joaney, etc.
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I.
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I Often for my Joaney strove,
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Ey'd her, Try'd her, yet can't prove
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So luckey to find her Pity move;
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Ize have no reward for Love,
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If you wou'd but think on me,
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And now forsake your Cruelty,
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Ize for ever shou'd be, cou'd be, wou'd be
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Joyn'd with none but only thee.
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II.
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When first I saw thy Lovely Charms,
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I Kist thee, Wisht thee in my Arms;
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I often vow'd and did protest,
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'Tis Joan alone that I love best.
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Ize have gotten twenty pounds,
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My Father's House and all his Grounds,
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And for ever, etc.
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III.
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Your Eyes as black as any Slow,
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Brought me, Taught me, first to Wooe;
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Your Rosie Lips, and Dimple Chin,
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Bony Brow, and Forehead fine,
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Makes me wish to pass away
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With Joaney all the Night and Day.
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Ize for ever, etc.
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IV.
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Ize fain convey thee to my Farm,
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Wed thee, Bed thee, keep the warm;
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And fear not that thou'st shalt be poor,
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Ize have Cheese and Bacon store;
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Mault and Corn to Grind at Mill,
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Of Curds and Cream you's have your fill.
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Ize for ever, etc.
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V.
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Close by a shady River side,
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Courting, Sporting, we's abide.
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Ize Rifle all the Flowry Field,
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Bring the store the Groves do yield;
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To Crown my Joan with Mickle Pride,
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If she'll but yield to be my Bride.
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Ize for ever, etc.
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VI.
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My House and Land, and Cart and Plow,
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Will be still be all for you;
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Ize have beside, five Oxen Fat,
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With Pig and Goose for you to Eat;
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And if Joaney be but kind,
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My Farm's a Kingdom to my mind.
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Ize for ever, etc.
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VII.
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The pretty Lambs at Even Tide,
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Baying, playing, shall take Pride:
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To show the sport, the Nightingale
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Singing sweetly all the while,
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And all Night o'er-flowed with Joys,
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The Lark shall tell us when to rise.
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Ize for ever, etc.
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VIII.
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The Morning Dews and Odours Sweet,
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Swelling, smelling, shall thee Greet.
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The Trees their laden Boughs shall bend,
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Offer Fruits to thy Fair hand;
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Meadows they shall wear their Green,
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That Gay by you they may be seen.
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Ize for ever, etc.
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IX.
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My Love a Russet Gown shall have,
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Pleated, fitted, fine and brave,
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And when we's Marry'd thou'st shall see
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A smiling Boy upon thy Knee:
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Youth and Beauty Time destroys,
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Ah! slight not then; my Dear, these Joys.
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Ize for ever, etc.
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X.
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But if you still do say me no,
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Wounded, drownded, in my woe:
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In shady Wood, or gloomy Cave,
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Kill'd by Grief, Ize find my Grave;
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With Leaves the Birds shall cover me,
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And blame my Joaneys Cruelty,
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Since poor Billy Mayn't be, shan;t be, can't be
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Joyn'd with thee, and only thee.
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