The Courteous Carman,
AND THE
Amorous MAID:
OR,
The Carman's Whistle.
What here is penn'd in this same pleasant Story,
Doth only tend unto the CARMAN's Glory,
Who did relieve a Maiden in Distress,
And brought her Joy in midst of Heaviness;
He was Couragious, and of Mettle good,
As by this Story may be understood.
To the Tune of, The Carman's Whistle: or, Lord Willoughby's March, etc.
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AS I abroad was walking
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by the breaking of the day,
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Into a pleasant meadow
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a young Man took his way,
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And looking round about him,
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to mark what he could see,
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At lenth he 'spy'd a fair Maid
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under a mirtle-tree:
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So comly was her countenance,
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and smiling was her cheer,
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As though the Goddess Venus
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herself she had been there,
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And many a smirking smile she gave,
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amongst the leaves so green,
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Although she was perceived,
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she thought she was not seen.
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At length she chang'd her countenance,
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and sung a mournful song,
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Lamenting her misfortune,
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she staid a Maid so long:
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There's many that be younger,
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that long time have been wed,
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Which makes me think that I shall dye,
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and keep my maiden-head.
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Sure young Men are hard hearted,
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and know not what they do,
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Or else they want for complements
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fair Maidens for to woe:
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Why should young Virgins pine away,
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and lose their cheifest prime,
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And all for want of sweet-hearts,
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to chear us up in time?
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The young Man heard her ditty,
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and could no longer stay,
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But straight unto this Damsel
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with speed he did away;
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He nimbly stept unto her,
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which made her for to start,
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But when he once embrac'd her,
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he joy'd her very heart:
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Sweet-heart, he said unto her,
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why do you so complain?
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If you'll be rul'd by me
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I'll play you such a strain,
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As uses for to give content,
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when as true Lovers meets,
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It is much like to that they call
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the shaking of the sheets.
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Strike up, quoth she, and spare not,
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I prithee use thy skill,
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For why I greatly care not
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if I thy mind fulfil.
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The Carman then most nimbly
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unto this sport did settle,
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And pleased her most bravely,
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for he was full of mettle.
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When he had plaid unto her
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one merry note or two,
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Then was she so rejoyced
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she knew not what to do:
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O God a mercy Carman,
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thou art a lively Lad;
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Thou hast as rare a whistle
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as ever Carman had.
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Now if my Mother chide me,
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for staying here so long;
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What if she doth, I care not,
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for this shall be my song:
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Pray Mother be contented,
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break not my heart in twain,
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Although I have been ill a while
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I shall be well again.
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And thus this loving Couple
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did oftentimes embrace,
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And lovingly did prattle
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all in that flowry place:
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But now the time of parting
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began for to draw near,
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Whereas this jolly Carman
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must leave his only Dear.
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He took his leave most kindly,
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and thus to her did say,
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My Dearest, I will meet thee
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next time I come this way.
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Away this bony Carman went
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a whistling of his note,
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And there he left this fair Maid
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a brushing of her coat.
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Now fare thee well, brave Carman,
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I wish the well to fare,
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For thou didst use me kindly
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as I can well declare:
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Let other Maids say what they will,
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the truth of all is so,
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The bonny Carman's whistle
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shall for my mony go.
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