The Brides Good-morrow. To a pleasant new Tune.
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THe night is passed & joyfull day appeareth
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most cleare on every side,
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With pleasant musick we therefore salute you,
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good morrow Mistris Bride:
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From sleepe and slumber no[w] awake you out of hand
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your bridegroome stayeth at home:
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Whose fancy, favour, & affection still doth stand
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fixed on thee alone:
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Dresse you in your best array,
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This must be your wedding day,
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God almighty send you happy joy:
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In health and wealth to keep you still,
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And if it be his blessed will,
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God keepe you safe from sorrow and annoy.
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This day is honour now brought into thy bosome
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and comfort to thy heart:
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For God hath sent you a fried for to defend you
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from sorrow, care and smart:
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In health & sicknes for thy comfort day & night
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he is appointed and brought,
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Whose love & liking is most constant sure and right,
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then love ye him as ye ought:
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Now you have your hearts desire,
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And the thing you did require,
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God almighty send you happy joy:
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In health and wealth to keep e you still,
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And if it be your blessed will,
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God keepe you safe from sorrow and annoy.
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There is no treasure the which may be compared
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unto a faithfull friend,
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Gold soone decayeth and worldly consumeth,
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and wasteth in the winde,
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But love once planted in a perfect & pure minde
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indureth weale and woe:
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The frownes of fortune come they never so unkinde
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cannot the same overthrowe.
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A bit of bread is better cheare,
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Where love and friendship doth appeare,
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then dainty dishes stuffed full of strife:
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For where the heart is cloyd with care,
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Sower is the sweetest fare:
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and death far better then so bad a life,
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Sweet Brid then may you full well contended stay you,
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and in your heart rejoyce:
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Sith God was guider both of your heat & fancy
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and maker of your choice.
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And he that preferd you to this happie state
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will not behold you decay,
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Nor see you lack reliefe or help in any rate,
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if you his preceps obay
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To those that ask it faithfully,
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The Lord will no good thing deny,
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this comfort in the Scriptures may you finde,
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Then let no worldly griefe and care,
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Vexe your heart with foule dispaire,
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which doth declare the unbeleeving minde,
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All things are ready and every whit prepared
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to beare you company
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Your friends and parents do give their due attendance
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together courtously:
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The house is drest and garnisht for your sake,
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with flowers gallant and green,
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A solem feast your comely cooks do ready make
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where all your friends will be seen,
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Young men and maids do ready stand,
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With sweet Rosemary in their hand,
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a perfect token of your virgins life:
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To wait upon you they intend,
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Unto the Church to make an end:
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and God make thee a joyfull wedded wife.
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