The constant Country Maid,
OR
Innocent Love at length Rewarded.
Which by these Lines is here set forth in part
The constant love, that lodged in her heart;
Which was by no means for to be removd,
Since she would venture all for him she lovd:
For which he did reward her at the last,
And made amends for all her Sorrows past.
Tune of True Love rewarded with Loyalty.
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YOu Country Damsels, fine and gay,
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which or the Meadows trip along,
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Whilst that the little Lambs do play,
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come give attention to my Song.
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I am a simple harmless Maid
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being with Sorrow sore opprest,
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The God of Love, hath me betray,
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and so deprived me of rest.
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Whilst I injoyd my liberty
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and was not bound in Cupid[s] thral,
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In floods of sweet prosperity,
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I swam, and took no care at all,
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But now my poor and tender heart
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is unto Love a Captive made,
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In sorrow I must bear a part
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until my Dearest bring me aid.
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WHen first his person I did view,
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and to his melting words gave ear.
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Each time he did his suit renew
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it did rejoyce my heart to hear.
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His flaxen hair like threds of Gold,
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his Ruby lips, and rouling Eyes,
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Amazed me for to behold,
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and of my heart did make a prize.
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He is both proper, strait and tall,
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who did my love at once subdue:
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Compleat in every limb with all,
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as my poor eyes did find it true.
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When he appeard upon the Green
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amonst the Youth each Holy-day,
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He was so comely to be seen,
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that still he bore the Bell away.
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But now his absence makes me mourn,
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because I know no reason why
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That he should leave me here alone,
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for to bewail my misery.
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Perhaps he doth it for to try
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if that my love be firm, and true,
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Which he shall find untill I dye,
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though with disdain he me pursue.
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For sooner shall the Mother dear
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her Babe forget that sucks her brest,
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Then he out of my mind shall wear,
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whom I have always loved best.
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The winds shall sooner cease to blow,
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and Starrs their wonted course refrain,
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Er I will falsify my Vow,
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untill I see my Love again.
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The Ocean Sea shall break its bound
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And mountains from their places move,
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The course of Nature shall turn round
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er I forget my dearest Love.
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No Strangers suit that I will mind
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nor to temptations once give ear,
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Untill my dearest love I find
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my sad lamenting heart to chear.
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You Nymphs who through the woods do stray
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take pitty of my grievous moan,
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Bring back my love without delay
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that for no cause is from me gone.
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Let every gentle Shepherd Swain
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which doth his harmless flocks infold,
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Strive for to bring my love again
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that I his face may once behold.
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For never shall I rest in peace
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untill his person I do see,
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Each day my sorrows will increase
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untill he come and pitty me.
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Her Lover hearing of her plaint
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no longer could from tears refrain,
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But from a Mirtle-grove he came
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to ease her of her grief and pain.
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Quoth he my love I understand
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thy love is constant, firm, and true,
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Loe here I give thee heart and hand
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ill never change thee for a new.
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These words did much revive her heart,
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and hand, in hand, away they went,
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Resolving never more to part,
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But to injoy their hearts content.
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