The praise of our Country Barly-Brake:OR,
Cupids advisement for Young-men to take
Up this loving old sport, called Barly-Brake.
To the tune of, when this Old Cap was new.
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BOth yong men Maids and Lads,
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of what state or degree,
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Whether southeast or west,
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or of the North Country
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I wish you all good health,
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that in this Summers weather,
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Your sweet-hearts and your selves,
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play at Barly-Brake together.
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As it a customs was,
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so let it flourish still,
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Flora againe hath deckt
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your much frequented hill,
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And Phebus two divides
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what Boreas pacts together,
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That he with furious chides,
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doth not ore cast the weather.
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Then sith the cause so stands,
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that all these thinke it good,
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To put their helping hands,
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let nothing be withstood,
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Fulfill the proverbe old,
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your lovers in faire weather.
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As well as to make hay,
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play Barley Brake together.
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If thy love give the stroake,
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be sure have an eye
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Before hand it is spoke,
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then follow presently,
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And if thou dost him catch,
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then pray for more faire weather,
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That you may play a match
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at Barley Brake together.
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Then William loved Nan,
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and that with such good will,
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That they of Love must scan,
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upon yon greeny hill,
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Their talke is not of wealth,
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but how they may persever,
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In that same love was showne,
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at Barly-Brake together.
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Then Thomas loved Nell,
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although her friends were poore,
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Her vertue did excell,
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she needed then no more.
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I, Nicholas then would smile,
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and Phillip pleased was ever.
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when they could play a while,
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at Barly Brake together.
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Nay Simon Franke and Steven,
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with Sisly Doll and Mary
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Need not to this bee driven,
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Nor Kate that keepes the Dary,
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For with a forward mind,
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not fearing wind nor weather,
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She knowes young men are kind,
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at Barly-Brake together.
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Then Harry would bestow,
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wine, beere and Cakes on Bridget,
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But now tis nothing so:
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his Father doth forbid it,
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If wealthy Maids be slack,
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theres few that dare shew favour,
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Their Fathers keep them back,
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no, no, you shall not have her.
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The second part. To the same Tune.
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ANd that was Cupids time,
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wherin he got much praise,
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For none did Usher then,
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in his Schoole in those dayes,
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Now lust his Ushers hand,
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and pride beares such a sway,That all his shafts are burnd,
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that were so sweet and gay.
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When as this mirth was used,
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of which I now doe write,
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Love was not so abused
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nor in so bad a plight,
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As he is now adayes,
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for though he be no foole
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Amongst his Schollers now,
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he is hist out of his Schoole.
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But cheere up pretty Maids,
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for now Ile leave the City,
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And bring your Country blads,
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unto their former pitty,
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And if they ever did love,
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so shall they now persever,
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And you shall play like Doves
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at Barly-Brake together.
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It is a lively sport
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to set how nimblely;
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You need no great report,
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the same to testifie,
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To see with sweet imbrace,
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each Lad his Lasse doth clip,
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And laying face to face,
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doth taste each others lip.
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Thus are are our Country youth,
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both merry too and joyall,
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If they set love tis truth,
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they hate to be disloyall
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And therefore in their praise,
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my pen shall write for ever,
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Because they love doe raise,
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at Barly-Brake together.
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And many Pastimes more,
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which long hath beene neglected,
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Againe to you is restored,
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then let it be respected,
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And as in times before,
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so doe you now persever,
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Then will you ever love sore
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at Barly-Brake together.
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Therefore you Country Maids,
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that are to London gone,
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Let me with faire perswades,
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intreat you to come home,
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If you your Love will meet,
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make haste and hie you hether,
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That he and you may greet,
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at Barly-Brake together.
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Then thinke not you amisse,
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of this my good advise,
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Nor for to take a kisse,
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I pray you be not nice;
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Tis Cupid doth direct
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you how you may persever,
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Let that be no neglect,
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at Barly-Brake together.
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Then will old customes come,
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unto their former use,
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And Love be made amends,
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for this his great abuse,
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That he hath long sustaind,
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in Country, Towne and City.
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And lust shall be arraignd,
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and none shall plead for pity.
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Because hee hath defild,
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what Love hath oft united,
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And so unloosd the knot,
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that Cupid so delighted,
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To see in every breast,
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within this Summers weather,
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True Lovers never ablest,
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but when they play together.
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