Two strings to a Bow; or, The cunning Archer,
Being A pleasant new ditty of a Souldier, that had two Lasses at one time
That dearly loved him, and how he requited their kindness
This lusty Souldier having been
Ten years in Scotland, and near seen
A London Lass, resolvd to try,
How much they priz[']d Virginity.
He laies close siege to two, and stormes
There Forts, but yet to marry scorns.
To an excellent Scotish Tune, calld Gilderoy.
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GIv[e] ear you lads and lasses all,
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to what I shall report,
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Of Maidens twain that loved dear,
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a Souldier their consort.
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A bonny La[d] and blith was he,
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and seemd to love them both.
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But when they u[r]gd; to tie the knot,
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to marry he was loth.
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Full many years this Souldier brave
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in Scotland, bore his Arms.
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Under our Noble Generall,
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still free from Cupids Charms.
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But London Lasses, thought to win,
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and tempt him with their smiles.
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Which sub[t]ly he a while receives
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at last them both beguiles.
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The first was Mal. a bouncing Lass,
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to whom he courteous was.
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And lovingly did kiss and Court,
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but mark what came to pass.
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When he had gaind her tender heart,
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And Cupid had her shot,
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He scornfully disdains her thoughts,
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and swears he loves her not.
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Then she her service leaves in hast,
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a private life to live.
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Because that to her Master she,
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was loth offence to give,
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And that he might with freedome come,
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to vistt this his dear,
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On whom she spent her money free,
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in Ale, and in good Cheer,
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Thus she continued a while,
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and he came ofr unto her.
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whose sight did please her wondrous well
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the Souldier sure did do her.
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But when her stock grew low and poor
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his love it waxed cold.
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There was no chain could hold him fast,
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but onely that of Gold.
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When thus she saw she slighted was,
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and could not catch the Game.
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With heavy moan she did repine
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and her hard fortune blame.
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Whilst he with jovial lists did sing,
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and did contrive it so.
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That he had got another Lass,
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and two strings to his Bow.
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The second Part, to the same Tune
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HAving thus put his first lasse off,
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the second comes in play.
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The which was pretty Dorothy:
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who was both fine and gay.
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To whom he doth express his love,
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with amorous Glances many:
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And swears that she shall be his wife
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if ever he have any;
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This did so pierce her tender heart
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with joy and great delight.
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That she her service profferd him,
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by day and eke by night:
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Which he most kindly doth accept,
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and void of dread or fear.
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He gets her in his Chamber close,
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one night, as you shall hear.
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In sober guise the Souldier goes:
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one night unto his bed.
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Where she must come in all the hast,
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to lose her Maiden-head.
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The people being all at rest,
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and every one asleep.
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The lasse goes to his Chamber straight,
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and to his bed does creep.
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He that in bloody Battels fought,
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and lay in Frost and cold,
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Enduring hardships plentifull,
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against his foes so bold.
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Can now ons bed surprize a Fort,
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which no man ere did enter
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The Lady and the Owner gives,
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it him for his adventure.
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Her Master and her Mistrisse both,
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about the break of day.
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Awaking, called for their Maid,
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but she no word did say,
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She was in bed with her delight,
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and sporting with her dear.
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Not thinking that her Master calld;
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love would not let her hear.
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Then up her Master gets in hast,
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to find the poor lost sheep.
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And folded in the Souldiers Armes,
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he finds his Maid asleep.
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Then with one blow, upon her cheek
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he wakes her from her dear,
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And kicks the lassee out of doors.
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No Whores (quoth he) live here.
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When this black chance was once found out,
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the lasse she fain would marry.
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The Souldier he refuses quit,
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tells her he must be wary;
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But she perplext, doth urge him still,
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and begs the same with Tears.
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Quoth he, I am not in your debt,
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I paid you your arrears.
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Take heed you loving lasses.
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be warnd by my report.
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Trust not a lusty Souldier,
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for heel soon take your Fort,
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And then you must turn chamber maids
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alas my chance is so.
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The Souldier he will shoot no more,
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has broke two strings tos bow
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