The young-mans Resolution
To the
MAIDENS REQUEST.
Being a Witty Dialogue, betwixt a
YOUNG MAN And a MAID.
Wherein she asked him when he intends to marry,
And he resolves her how long he will tarry.
To the Tune of, In Summer time.
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AS I was walking under a Grove,
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within my self as I supposed;
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My mind did oftentimes remove,
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and by no means could be disclosed,
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At length by chance a friend I met,
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which caused me long time for to tarry,
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And then of me she did entreat,
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to tell her when I meant to marry.
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Sweet heart, quoth I, if you would know,
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then mark these words, and Ile reveal it;
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Since in your mind you bear it so,
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and in your heart you do conceal it;
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She promised me for to make no words,
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but of such things I would be warry,
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And thus in brief I did begin
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to tell her when I meant to marry.
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When shrove-tide falls on Easter week,
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and Christmass in the midst of July,
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And Lawyers for no Fees will plead,
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and Taylors they live just and truly;
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When all deceits are quite put down
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and truth by all men is preferred,
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And Indigo dyes red and brown,
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O then my Love and I[]le be married.
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When Saffron grows on every tree,
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and every stream flows Milk and Honey,
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And Sugar grows on Carter fields,
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and Usurers refuse good Money:
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When Countrey-men for Judges sit,
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and Lambmass falls on February,
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And Millers they their Toll forgets,
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O then my Love and I will marry.
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The second Part to the same Tune.
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WHen Men and Beasts in Ocean flows,
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& Fishes in green fields are feeding:
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When Muscle shells in the streets do grow,
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and Swans upon dry Rocks are breeding;
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When Cockle shells are Diamond Rings,
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and Glass to Pearl may be compared,
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And Gold is made of the gray Goose wings;
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O then my Love and Ile be married.
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When Summer doth not dry up mire,
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and men on earth do leave to flatter;
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When Bakers they do use no fire,
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and Brewers they do use no water:
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When mountains are by men removed,
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and England into France is carried,
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And all Maids prove true to their Lovers,
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O then my Love and Ile be married.
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When Hostesses do reckon true,
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and Dutch-men leave off drinking Brandy;
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When Cats do bark, and Dogs do mew,
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and Brimstone is took for Suggar-candie.
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Or when that Whitsuntide doth fall
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within the Month of January,
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And Coblers work without an Awle,
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O then my Love and I will marry.
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When Women knows not how to scold,
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and Maids of sweet-hearts nere are thinking:
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When Men ithe fire complains of cold,
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and Ships on Salisbury-plain fear sinking;
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When Horse-coursers turn honest Men,
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and London into York is carried,
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Or when you out of One can take Ten,
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its then my Love and Ile be married.
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When Candlesticks do serve for Bells,
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and Frying-pans are usd for Ladles;
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Or when in the Sea they dig for Wells,
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and Porrage Pots they make for Cradles:
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When Maids forget to go a Maying,
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and a Man on his back an Ox can carry;
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Or when the Mice with the Cat be playing,
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tis then my Love and Ile be married.
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Good Sir, since you have told me when,
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you are resolved for to marry;
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I wish with all my heart till then
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that for a Wife you still may tarry:
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For if all young men were of your mind,
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and Maids no better were preferred;
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I think it would be when the Devils blind,
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that we and our Lovers should be married.
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