THE
May-Day Country Mirth:
OR,
The Young Lads and Lasses Innocent Recreation. Which is to be priz'd
before Courtly Pomp and Pastime.
To an excellent New Tune.
Licensed according to Order.
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JOan to the Maypole away let's run,
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The time is swift and will be gone,
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There go the Lasses away to the Green,
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Where their Beauties may be seen:
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Nan, Noll, Kate and Moll,
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Brave Lasses have Lads to attend 'um,
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Hodge, Nick, Tom, Dick,
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Brave Dancers, who can amend 'um?
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Did you not see the Lord of the May,
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Walk along in his rich array;
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There goes the Lass that is only his,
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See how they meet and how they kiss!
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Come Will, run Gill,
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Or dost thou list to lose thy labour?
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Kit Crowd, scrape aloud,
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Tickle her Tom, with a Pipe and Tabor.
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Lately I went to a Mask at Court,
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Where I see Dancers of every sort;
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There they did Dance with time and measure,
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But none like Country Dance for pleasure:
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There they did Dance just as in France,
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Not like the English lofty manner,
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And every she, must furnished be
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With a feather'd knack when she sweats for to fan her.
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But we when we Dance, and do happen to sweat,
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Have a Napkin in Hand for to wipe off the wet,
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And we with our Doxies do Jig it about,
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Not like the Court which often are out;
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If the Tabor do play, we thump it away,
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And turn and meet our Lasses to kiss 'em;
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Nay they will be as ready as we,
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That hardly at any time can miss 'em.
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Yonder comes Dolly over the Down,
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And Roger he gives her a fair green Gown,
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See how he hands her up again,
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And how they trip along amain;
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They pass, o'er the Grass,
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And at every Stile they are Billing,
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He gives, she receives,
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Being youthful, ready and willing.
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There is not any that shall out-vye,
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My little pretty Joan and I;
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For I'm sure I can dance as well,
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As Robin, Jenny, Tom, or Nell:
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Last Year, we were here,
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When ruff Ralph he play'd us a Boree,
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And we, merrily
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Thumpt it about and gain'd the Glory.
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Come sweet Joan let us call a new Dance,
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That we before them may advance,
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Let it be what you desire and crave,
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And sure the same sweet Joan shall have:
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She cry'd and reply'd,
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If to please me thou wilt endeavour,
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Sweet Pig, the Wedding Jigg,
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Then, my Dear, I'll love thee forever.
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Sure I will grant thee thy request,
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And learn thee that among the rest:
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For e'er it be long we'll Marry'd be,
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And then my pretty Joan shall see
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Fine Toys, sweet Joys,
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And soft Kisses too out of measure,
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Sweet Charms, in my Arms,
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This will be a Fountain of Pleasure.
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And if we hold on as we begin,
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Joan thee and I the Garland shall win:
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Nay, if thou live till another day,
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I'll make thee Lady of the May;
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Dance about, in and out,
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Turn and kiss, and then for greeting;
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Now Joan we have done,
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Fare thee well till the next merry meeting.
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