THE
Shepherd's Ingenuity:
OR, The Praise of the
Green Gown.
To the Tune of, The Two Entire Lovers. Licensed according to Order.
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AMongst the pleasant shady Bowers,
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as I was passing on,
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I saw the springing Grass and, Flowers,
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was gently press'd down;
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Then streight I thought unto myself,
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whoever here has been,
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I'm sure some gentle Shepherdess
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hath gotten a Gown of Green.
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Long may that Shepherdess enjoy,
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that pleasant Robe of Love,
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And eke the Swain that gave it her,
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that he may constant prove:
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For all the Robes that Ladies wear,
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whichever I have seen,
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Not one of them can now compare,
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to the sweet Gown of Green.
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Some for to gain their Ladies Love,
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will give them Chains and Rings,
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Some gives them Fans and Fancies too,
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but these are foolish things;
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If you wou'd fain her Love obtain,
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let this be your endeavour,
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To give her a fair Gown of Green,
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and then she's your forever.
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When as my Celia fair and I,
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did meet upon the Down,
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Our study only was to try,
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to fit her in a Gown:
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She found the finest fashion then,
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as ever yet was seen;
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She did become it passing well,
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a fine Gown of Green.
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The Gown which I gave her of late,
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was almost out of hue,
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Therefore I resolved streight,
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to make another new;
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The Stuff lay ready then to cut,
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the Board was tight and clean,
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So to the work my hands I put,
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to shape this Gown of Green.
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My Arms K clasped round my Love,
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to take the measure true,
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She fearing I would wanton prove,
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then streightways backwards drew:
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With her small Waste I closed fast,
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as we two Twins had been,
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She strugling catch'd a fall at last,
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to shape this Gown of Green.
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She asked me, is this the way
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in shaping of a Gown?
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Yes, if you'd have it neat and gay,
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done by lying down,
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And take your measure handsomely,
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to make it strait and e'en,
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A lively posture of a Maid,
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to shape a Gown of Green.
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I rais'd her from the tender Grass,
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to view her noble Dress,
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She thought herself a handsome Lass,
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in troth I thought no less;
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Her Beauty in this Robe did shine,
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more bright than Flora's Queen;
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Now Lasses if you would be fine,
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put on the Gown of Green.
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Now all you little pretty Maids,
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that covets to go brave,
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Frequent the Meadows, Groves, and Shades,
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where you those Garbs may have;
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When Floras Coverlid she spreads,
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then Bridget, Kate and Jane,
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May change their silly Maiden-heads,
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for curious Gowns of Green.
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