The fair Lady of the West:
AND
The fortunate Farmers Son.
Relating, how a Gallant young Lady in the West-Country, Being courted by many Persons
of Quality, refused them all, and cast her Affections upon a Farmer's-Son; to whom she
discovered her love; And, having neither Father nor Mother living to Contradict her,
they were privately Married to both their Hearts desire; And now, live in joy and hap-
py Content.
This may a pattern be to young and old;
True Love is to be vallued more than Gold.
Tune of, A gallant Damosel in Bristol-City, etc. or, William the Weaver.
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A Beauteous Lady of comely carriage,
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whom many a gallant sought in Marriage;
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But she, with Modesty refuseing
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would have a Lover of her own chuseing.
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Both noble Knights, and worthy Squirects,
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to gain her love it was their desires.
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But she consented not to any,
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although she courted was by many.
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With patience she the time prolonged,
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whilst many Suitors about her thronged:
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Which gave her little Satisfaction,
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but in her mind did breed distraction.
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For often-times she would confess it,
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And to her friends she did express it:
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He is not come yet, that I shall marry;
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and therefore, longer I yet must tarry.
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At length, one day she did discover
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the party that should be her lover:
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A Farmers Son, of brisk behaviour;
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He is the man must win her favour.
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He wore no Robes off rich attire,
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for to Inflame her hearts desire:
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But yet his person did so please her,
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that Cupid with his Dart did Seize her.
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STrange fancies in her mind did waver,
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that one of low desent should have her:
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Yet, by no means, she could withstand it,
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since destiny did so command it.
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Being thus tost in Cogitation,
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she asked no ones Approbation:
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But sending for her dearest Lover,
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to him she did her mind discover.
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Quoth she, your pardon, Sir, I crave it,
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and by your Looks, I hope to have it:
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Call not my modesty in question,
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for making of this bold transgression:
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My heart is prisoner at your pleasure:
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the God of Love hath made a Seizure:
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Then let my Love be kindly taken,
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that I may never be forsaken,
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I want no honour, nor no riches;
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onely Love my heart bewitches:
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For, many a Gallant I disdained,
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who my affections nere obtained.
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Then since it is my happy fortune,
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your Love at this time to Importune:
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'Tis your kind Answer I desire,
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which for my Love I do require.
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The young man being much amazed,
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upon her Beauty long he gazed:
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Admiring at her great perfection
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which brought his heart into Subjection.
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At length, being with Love Surprized,
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this loveing Answer he devized:
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And breaking Silence, to her Honour,
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he thus replyed in Humble Manner:
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Fair Lady, if your love be reall,
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I should be loath to make deniall:
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But bless my fates for such a fortune,
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If of your Love I may be certain.
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And Madam, since it is your pleasure,
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for to possess me of a Treasure:
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Of which, I am so far unworthy,
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with heart and Soul, I'le ever love thee.
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Although I lowly am descended
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with kindness all shall be amended:
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And what I want in wealth and Beauty,
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I'le make it up in Love and Duty.
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Quoth she, for this your loveing Answer,
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my hand and heart you shall Command Sir:
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And, I will be thy own for ever:
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and so they kist and went together.
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And to redeem the time they tarried:
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in private they were shortly married:
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For why, she had no parents liveing,
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for to oppose her marriage giveing.
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And now they live with hearts contented,
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on neither side it is repented:
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I wish all Lovers be so served,
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that for their constancy deserve it.
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