The more Haste, the worst Speed:
OR,
The Unfortunate Maids Complaint in private as she did sit,
Being Fifteen Years of age, and never a Suitor yet.
To the Tune of, O no, no, no, not yet: Or, What shall I do, shall [I] dye for love.
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WAs ever Country Maid perplext,
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having both wealth and feature;
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Or any thing nature directs,
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to make a prudent Creature;
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As I, even I, which makes me oft
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so Solitary sit;
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For Fifteen years of age I am,
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and never a Suitor yet.
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The Fifty Pounds to portion I,
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upon my Marriage day;
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Full truly paid, I tell no lye,
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then mark what I shall say;
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My Mother she oft hath told,
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she would a Husband get;
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For Fifteen years, etc.
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There was a Maiden in our Town,
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was Married at Fourteen;
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Then would not that make me to moan,
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that am not all so green:
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Besides my comely person, I
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am of a pregnant wit;
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Yet Fifteen Years, etc.
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Besides the thoughts of waxing old,
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should stir Young-men to Wed;
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Besides less fear of taking cold,
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when two are in a Bed;
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With many other things wherewith,
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I could a Husband fit;
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Yet Fifteen, etc.
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To Brew and Bake its usually
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performd by Country Maids,
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And therefore them I will pass by
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to speak of other Trades:
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Who through imployment may have need
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more of a Womans Wit;
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For Fifteen, etc.
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If I should be a Vintners Wife,
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I should become the Bar,
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As well as doth a Drum or Fife,
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within a field of War:
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To cry, Boy, shew these Gentlemen
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a Room where they may sit;
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Yet Fifteen years of age am I,
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and never a Suitor yet.
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And if a Cook should Marry me,
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I well can raise his Paste,
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Of any fashion that may be
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upon a Table placd:
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Or any other Dish I can
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both garnish and make fit;
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Yet fifteen years of age am I,
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and never a Suitor yet.
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NAy, if a Shoemaker me wed,
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his Shop-Thread I can spin;
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Although it by my self is said,
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theres few our Town within
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For all the points of Huswifry,
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that can each Trade so fit,
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And Fifteen years of age am I,
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and never a Suitor yet.
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The Taylors Needle I can thred,
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if haste should so require,
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Of several colours, Green or Red,
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pleasing to his desire:
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Make answer to a man, while he
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doth at the Ale-house sit;
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Yet fifteen, etc.
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If that a Glover marrys me,
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part of his Trade I know,
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Whither it plain or prick-seam be,
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that makes the braver show,
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And truly for to work the same,
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I know Leathers fit,
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Yet fifteen, etc.
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And if I should a Weaver have,
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either of Silk or Linnen;
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This can I do, and Money save,
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which is a good beginning:
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Either wind Silk, or fill his quills,
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tis either I can fit,
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Yet fifteen, etc.
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If I should be a Saylors wife,
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I can with Plummet sound,
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To know how many fathom length
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the Ship bears from the ground:
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I do know his Compass well,
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with many things so fit;
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Yet fifteen, etc.
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But yet for all my forward care;
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great grief it is to tell,
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Not any man falls to my share
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that far or near doth dwell:
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Theres not a Maid my Mother keeps,
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but straight a Husband gets;
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Yet fifteen, etc.
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I am perswaded now that I
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shall hardly live this year,
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But even a silly Maiden dye,
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which causeth many a tear
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To gush forth of these Chrystal eyes,
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and much disturb my wit;
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That Fifteen, etc.
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I hope theres none will take distaste,
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because I speak my mind,
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For all that in the same is placd,
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whoever trys shall find
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Both Portion and these properties
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of which I here have writ:
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Yet fifteen, etc.
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If any Tradesman I have namd,
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within himself can find,
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By that description I have framd,
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that I can please his mind:
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Go marry all about my years,
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so may ye on me hit;
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For fifteen years of age am I,
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and never a Suitor yet.
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