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EBBA 30427

British Library - Roxburghe
Ballad XSLT Template
Tom and Will.
OR,
The Shepherds Sheepfold.
Both doated on a beautiful Lass,
Both were alike respected;
Both thought themselves ith better case,
Both were at last neglected.
To a pleasant new Country Tune.

TOm and Will were Shepherds Swains,
who lovd and livd together;
When fair Pastora gravd the Plains,
alack why come she thither?

For though they fed two several Flocks,
they had but one desire,
Pastoras eyes, and amber locks,
set both their hearts on fire.

Tom came of honest gentle race,
by Father and by Mother,
Will was noble, but alas,
he was a younger Brother.

Tom was toilsome, Will was sad,
no Hunts-Man; nor no Fowler,

Tom was held the proper Lad,
but Will the better Bowler.

The scorching flames their hearts did bear,
then they could no longer smother,
Although they knew they Rivals were,
they still lovd one another.

Tom would drink her health and swear,
this Nation will not want her,
Will could not take her by the ear,
and with his voice inchant her.

Tom keeps always in her sight,
and ner forget his duty;
Will was witty and could write,
some sonnets on her beauty.

The second Part, to the same Tune.

THus did she handle Tom and Will,
who both did dote upon her;
For graciously she usd them still,
and still preservd her honour.

Yet she was so sweet a she,
and of so sweet behaviour,
That Tom thought he, & Will thought he,
was chiefly in her favour.

Pastora was a loving Lass,
and of a comely feature,
Devinely good and fair she was,
and kind to every creature.

Of favour she was provident,
and yet not over-sparing,
She gave no less encouragement,
yet kept them from despairing.

Which of these two she loved best,
or whether she lovd either,
Tis thought theyl find it to their cost,
that she indeed lovd neither.

She dealt her favour equally,
they both were well contented,
She kept them both from jealousie,
not easily prevented.

Tale-telling fame hath made report,
of fair Pastoras beauty,
Pastoras sent for to the Court,
there for to perform her duty.

Unto the Court pastoras gone,
it had been no Court without her,
Our Queen amongst all her train had none
not half so fair about her.

Tom hung his Dog, and threw away,
his Sheep-crook and his Wallet,
Will burst his Pipes, and curst the day,
that ere he made a Sonnet.

Their nine-pins & their bowls they break,
their joys are turnd to fears;
Tis time for me an end to make,
let them go shake their ears.


FINIS.
Printed for F. Coles, in Wine-street, on Safforn-hill, near Hatton-Garden.

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