The fetching home of May:
OR,
A pretty new Ditty wherein is made knowne,
How each Lasse doth strive for to have a greene Gowne.
To the Tune of, Roome for Company, etc.
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NOw Pan leaves piping,
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The Gods have done feasting,
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theres never a goddesse a hunting to day:
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Mortalls doe marvell at Coridons jesting,
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that lends them assisting to entertaine May.
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The Lads and the Lasses,
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With scarfes on their faces,
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So lively it passes,
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trips over the downes:
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Much mirth and sport they make
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Running at Barley-breake,
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Good lack what paines they take
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for their greene Gownes.
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Fine John and Gillian,
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Henry with Franses,
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Meg with Mary, and Robin with Will:
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George and Margery set all the dances,
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for they were reported to have the best skil.
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Sisle and Nanne
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The fairest of many,
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That came last of any
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from out of the Towne,
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Quickly got in among
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The middest of the throng,
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Thus they so much did long
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for the greene Gowne.
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Blanch and Betaris
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Both of a Family,
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came very lasely lagging behind:
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Anes and Anibell noted their policie,
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Cupid is cunning allthough he be blind:
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Winny the witty
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That came from the Citie,
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With Parnell the pretty,
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and Besse the browne:
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Clim Jone and Isabell,
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Su Alse and bonny Nell,
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Liked of their journeys well,
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for the greene Gowne.
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But wanton Deborah
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Whispered to Dorrity,
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that she should wink upon Richard & Sim,
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Now minsing Maudlin shewd her autority,
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and in the quarrell did venter a limme:
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Sibill was sickly
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And could not come quickly,
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And therefore was lickely
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to fall in a swound.
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There was none would tarry
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For Hugh nor for Harry,
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Lest Christian should carry
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away the greene Gowne.
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Thus all the Youngsters
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Had reachd the greene Meddowes,
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where they apointed to gather their May,
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Som in the Sunshine, & som in the shadows,
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singled in couples did fall to their play.
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Constant Penelope
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Faith, Hope and Charity,
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Looked very modestly,
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yet they sate downe:
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Prudens prevented
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What Rachell repented,
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And Cate was contented
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to take the greene Gowne.
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The second part, To the same tune.
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THis Maying so pleased,
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Most of the fine Lasses,
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that they much desired to fetch in May flowers,
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For to strew the windows & such like places,
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besides theyl have May bows fit for shady Bowers.
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But most of all they goe
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To find where love doth growe,
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Each young man knowes tis so,
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else hees a Clowne:
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For tis an old saying
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There is great joying,
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When Maids goe a Maying,
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theyll have a greene Gowne.
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Maidens and young men goe
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And tis an order old
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for to drink merrily, and eat spiced Cakes,
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The Lads & the Lasses their customs wil hold
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for they wil goe walk ith fields like loving Mates:
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Em calls for Mary,
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And Ruth calls for Sarah,
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Iddy calls for Hary
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to man them along:
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Martin calls Marcy,
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Dick calls for Debary,
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Then they goe lovingly
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all in a throng.
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The bright Apollo
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Was all the while peeping,
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to see if his Daphne had bin in the throng,
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And missing her hastily downward was cree-ping,
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for thats imagined they tarrid too long
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Then all the troope mourned
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And homeward returned,
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For Cynthia scorned
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to smile or to frowne:
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Thus did they gather May
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All the long Summers day,
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And went at night away,
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each with a greene Gowne.
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Bright Venus still glisters,
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Out shining of Luna,
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Saturne was present, as right did require,
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And he called Jupiter with his Queen Juno,
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to see how Dame Venus did burn in desire:
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Now Jove sent Mercury
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To Vulcan hastily,
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Because he should descry
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Dame Venus down:
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Vulkan came running,
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On Mars he stood frowning,
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Yet for all his cunning,
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Venus had a greene Gowne.
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Cupid shootes Arrowes
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At Venus her Darlings,
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for they are nearest unto him by kind:
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Diana he hits not nor can he pierce worldlings
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for they have strong armour his darts to defend:
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The one hath chastity,
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And Cupid doth defie,
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The others cruelty,
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makes him a clowne:
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But leaving this I see,
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From Cupid few are free,
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And thers much courtesie
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in a greene Gowne.
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