A Constant wife and a kind wife,
A loving wife and a fine wife,
Which gives content unto mans life.
To the tune of Locks and Bolts do hinder
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YOng-men and Maids lend me your aids
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to speak of my dear sweeting,
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It shews how fortune hath betrayd,
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and often spoyld our meeting
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She likely was for to be rich,
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and I a man but meanly,
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Wherefore her friedns at me do grudge,
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and use me most unkindly.
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Her constancy I will declare,
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wherein she proves Loyall,
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But few that will with her compare,
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when they are put to Tryall.
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Her frinds against her did contend,
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because she lent me favour,
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They said I quickly all would spend,
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if that I might but have her.
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They did convey her from my sight,
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because she should exempt me.
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I could not find my hearts delight,
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which sore did discontent me.
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I travelld over craggy Rocks
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ore Mountaines Hills and Vallyes,
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But she was kept from me with locks
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only through spight and mallice.
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But love that conquers Kings and Queens
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herein did shew us favour,
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I brought to passe and wrought the meanes
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in what place I could have her:
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She had an Uncle did detain,
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and keep her person from me,
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Which I had very like thave slain,
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because he did so wrong me.
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I bouldly came where she did dwell,
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and asked for my sweeting,
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They said of her they could not tell,
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which was to me sad greeting.
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But presently she heard my voyce,
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and cald me at her winder,
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O I would come to thee my love,
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but doors and locks do hinder,
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Whereat amazed I did stand,
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to hear her make that answer,
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I drew my sword into my hand,
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as straight the house did enter,
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And then I made the locks to fly,
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and doors in peeces shatter,
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I vowd to have her company,
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and quickly I came at her.
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Her Uncle and some of his men,
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did after presant follow,
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Who said I nere should out again,
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but in my blood should wallow.
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But with some hurt done on both sides,
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I got my sweetheart from them,
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Young men to get your selves such brides
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fight for to overcome them.
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Then joynd we hands in Hymens bands,
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to love and live together,
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She lovd me not for house or Lands,
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for I had none of either,
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Her love was pure and doth endure,
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and so shall mine forever,
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Till death do us so much enjure,
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as part us from each other.
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WIth hand and heart I will impart
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the praise of my dear sweeting,
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Now welcome joyes and face well smart,
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blest be the time of meeting.
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With my sweet-heart and only dear,
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in whom is all my pleasure,
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The like of her doth not appear,
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she is so blest a creature.
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O happy is that time and hour,
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that ere I saw thy feature
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Sure heavens bliss o[n] me did showre,
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to send me such a creature.
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She is so pleasing to my eye,
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the like was never any,
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Shes vertuous wife and very kind,
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she far surpasseth many.
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Her comely feature may compare,
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with any in Town or City.
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For courtesie she to most rare,
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likewise shes full of pity.
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No Vertue that can give consent,
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in all that hear her praises.
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But God to her the same hath lent,
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whereby her glory raises.
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Her golden locks like threads of gold,
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her eyes like stars do glister.
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Her cheeks the Rose and Lillyes sold,
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she may be Venus sister.
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She hath a dimple in her chin.
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her neck shines like the chrystall,
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The like hath seldome times been seen,
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she seemeth so celestiall.
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Her armes and shoulders are compleat,
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her brest like Alablaster,
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Her wast and middle is so neat,
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theres none that ere surpast her.
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Her Eloquence gives such content,
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in all that hear her prases,
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That freely theyl give their consent,
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to yeeld her earthly praises.
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Her Lilly hands are at command,
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to do me any service,
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And quickly she will understand,
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a matter what so ere tis.
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If I bid go, she will not stay,
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to work me a displeasure,
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But presently she goes away,
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and is not this a treasure.
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Her parts below Ile not descry,
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for they are very neat ones.
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A dainty foot, a leg and Thigh,
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as can be made of flesh and bones.
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She is so perfect in her parts,
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that many were inflamed,
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On her they wholly set their hearts,
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and at her fully aimed.
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Thus to conclude and end my Song,
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I wish well to the Feamale,
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Or else I should do them much wrong,
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and prove my self a Tell-tale,
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Youngmen adieu prove not untrue,
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unto your only sweeting,
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Observe your time you need not rue,
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nor curse the time of meeting.
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