The true Mayde of the South:
OR
A rare example of a Maide dwelling at Rie in Sussex, who for the love of a
young man of Lester-shire, went beyond Sea in the habit of a Page, and after, to
their hearts content, were both marryed at Magruns in Germany, and now dwelling
at Rye aforesaid. To the tune of, Come, come my sweet and bonny one.
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WIthin the Haven Towne of Rye,
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that stands in Sussex faire
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There dwelt a Maide, whose constancie
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transcendeth all compare:
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This Turtle Dove
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Did dearely love
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A Youth, who did appeare
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In minde and face,
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To be the grace
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and pride of Lester-shire.
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This young man with a Noble Peere,
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who likt his service well,
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Went from his native Lester-shire,
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in Sussex for to dwell:
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Where living nye
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The Towne of Rye,
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this pretty Mayde did heare
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Of his good parents,
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Who by deserts,
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was pride of Lester-shire.
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For comming once into that Towne,
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it was at first his chance,
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To meet with her, whose brave renowne
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all Sussex did advance:
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And shee likewise,
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In his faire eyes
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when once she came him neere,
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Did plainely see,
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That none but hee,
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was pride of Lester-shire.
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Then little Cupid god of Love,
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began to play his part,
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And on the sudden from above,
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he shot his golden Dart,
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Which did constraine
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These Lovers twaine
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to prize each other deare:
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Sweet Margery
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Lovd Anthony,
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the pride of Lester-shire.
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Thus with concordant sympathy,
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these Lovers were combind,
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One lovd the other heartily,
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yet neither told their mind,
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She longd to speake,
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Her minde to breake
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unto her Lover deare,
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She durst not tell,
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Though she lovd well
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the pride of Lester-shire.
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Within short time it came to passe.
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to Sea the young man went,
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And left this young and pretty Lasse
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in woe and discontent:
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Who wept full sore,
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And grievd therefore,,
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when truely she did heare,
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That her sweet-heart.
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From her must part,
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the pride of Lester-shire.
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The second part. To the same tune.
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IT was his hap that time to goe
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to travell with his Lord,
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Which to his heart did breed much woe,
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yet could he not affoord
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A remedy
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Tos misery,
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but needs hee must leave here
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His Madge behinde
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Who grievd in minde
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for the pride of Lester-shire.
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She being then bereaved cleane
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of hope, yet did invent,
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By her rare policy, a meane
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to worke her hearts content:
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In garments strange
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She straight did change
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her selfe, rejecting feare,
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to goe with him
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Whom she did deeme
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the pride of Lester-shire.
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And in the habit of a Page,
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she did intreat his Lord,
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That being a Boy of tender age,
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he would this grace afford,
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That he might goe,
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Service to show
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to him both farre and neere,
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Who little thought
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What love she ought
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to the pride of Lester-shire.
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This Lord did take her, as she seemd
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to be a prettty Lad,
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And for his Page he her esteemd,
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which made her heart full glad:
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To Sea went shee,
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And so did hee,
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whom shee esteemd so deare
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Who for her sake
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Great moane did make,
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and shed full many a teare.
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Thus he poore Lad, lay with his Love
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full many a tedious night,
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Yet neither of them both did proove
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a Lovers true delight:
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She heard him weepe,
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When he should sleepe,
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and shed forth many a teare
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For Margery,
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Who then lay by
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the pride of Lester-shire.
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Long time these Lovers travelled,
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and were bed-fellowes still,
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Yet she did keepe her Mayden-head,
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untill she had her will.
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Shee heard his moane,
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Yet still unknowne
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she kept her selfe for feare,
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Yet at the last
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She cleaved full fast
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to the pride of Lester-shire.
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For having travelled sixe weekes
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unknowne unto her Lover,
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With roisie blushes in her cheekes
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her minde she did discover:
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See here, quoth she,
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One that for thee
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hath left her Parents deare:
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Poore Margery
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The Mayde of Rie
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I am, behold me here.
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When Anthony did heare this word,
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his heart with joy did leape,
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He went unto his Noble Lord,
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to whom he did report
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This wonderfull thing,
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Which straight did bring
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amazement to him there:
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Of such a Page,
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In any age,
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quoth he, I did not heare.
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At Magrum then in Germany,
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their Lord did see them marryed,
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From whence unto the Towne of Rye
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in England were they carryd;
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Where now they dwell
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Beloved well
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of neighbours farre and neere,
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Sweet Margery
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Loves Anthony
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the pride of Lester-shire.
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You Mayds and young-men warning take
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by these two Lovers kinde,
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Who ever you your choyce doe make,
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to them be true in minde,
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For, perfect love,
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Comes from above
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as may by this appeare,
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Which came to passe
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By Sussex Lasse,
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and the Lad of Lester-shire.
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