The Norfolk Lass:
OR,
The Maid that was Blown with-Child.
Of a North-Country Lass I mean for to tell,
Who receivd such a Blast made her Belly to Swell.
To the Tune of, The King and Northern man: Or, Tommy Pots.
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IT chanced of late as I heard one tell,
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From Wessen to Maxel a Maid came to dwell;
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She thrived so well, and her body so great,
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Made all the Wives in the Town wonder thereat.
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It was at a Burial when it was done,
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To talk with this Maiden the good women came;
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Then said the good Women are we not beguild,
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We stand in great fear that thou art with-Chid.
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But then this Maid begun for to Swear,
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As if in an anger her self she would tear;
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It were a great wonder as ever was known,
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If I be with-Child into me it is blown.
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For never no man had with me to do,
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Therefore good women tis nothing so;
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She wishd to the Lord, which you little think,
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that the ground might open, and in she might sink.
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Why good women, then she did name,
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Think you good Women that I am the same;
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If I should swear if that I did know,
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That oft to my body had got such a blow.
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In the Church Porch, hard by the Church-door,
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The Women examind this Maiden therefore;
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She said twas a trouble that grievd her full sore,
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She had gotten the same of her Mother before.
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This passed on while Tuesday came on,
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To be sick in Stomack this Maiden begun:
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She calls to one Goodman to make her a fire,
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For no other company she did desire.
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Up into her Chamber she went alone,
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The Women below did hear her to groan,
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Up went a Woman, but I heard no more,
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And there found a dainty Boy laid on the flore.
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She took up the pritty Babe as tis a use,
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Telling the Mother of this her abuse:
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Then, said she, marry, I told thee before,
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That thou wert with-child though you it forswore
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But then for more of the Neighbours she sent,
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[A]nd for to see this strange Accident;
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[T]he strange accident to the Women was shown,
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[T]hat into the Body the Baby was blown
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The sight of the Infant made the Wives glad,
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Asking the Mother who should be the Dad;
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She viewed the pritty Babe which was her Son,
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And said twas a dainty Boy like to a Bum.
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Next Thursday after to Church it was brought,
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For to have it Christned, as it did ought:
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God-fathers, God-mothers, all that it had,
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They all did agree to the name of the Dad.
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All you fair Maids have better care,
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And of your Maiden-heads stand more in fear:
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If that your Bodies begin for to bown,
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Never forsweart, for the truth will be known.
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Maids go no more to Weston to dance,
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But have a care of all such mischance:
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for Weston young-men such blasts they will blow
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Theyl blow Maids with-Child, & they shall it not know.
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And thus to end my ditty so New,
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You may report it, for certain tis true:
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She would not believe it till that it was known,
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But into her Body the Baby was blown.
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