The Couragious Cook-maid.
OR,
Hey for the North Countrey.
Being a Leicestershire frolick performed by an Esquires Cook-Maid, who (being disguised in Mans
apparel) robbed five Taylors upon the High-way of five pounds, which they had newly receiv-
ed of her Master, for work which they had done, she having no Weapons about her but a large
Black-Pudding, which they supposed in the Night to be a Pistol, they very quietly delivered
their Money, which she carrying home, caused much mirth and [l]aughter throughout the whole
Family. Likewise how she Conjured for the money when they came to her after, to set forth
Hue and Cry after the Padder, etc.
Tune of, The City Caper, Or: Digby, etc.
Ah Lord! Now we are all undone.
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OF late in the North a fine frolique did pass,
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five Taylors was robb[e]d by a jovial young lass
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The jest it is true, and will m[a]ke you to smile,
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If you will have patience to listen awhile;
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No weapons of Death had this Amazon stout,
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But with a Black-pudding she put them to th' rout,
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Then finikin Taylors who follow the trade,
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Remember the Pudding, and Doll the Cookmaid.
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These Taylors did usually work by the day,
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For four pence and Porridge the story doth say,
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But now at a Squires house they were imploy'd,
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For which their good fortune they were overjoy[']d:
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A long time they did stitch till their wages did come,
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To twenty good crowns, which they thought a round sum,
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then finikin, etc.
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Their work being done, they their money receive,
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And now their good master their minded to leave,
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A cup of the best at their parting they take,
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And then by consent, their way homeward they make,
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Meantime the Cook-maid to her master she hies,
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And told how their money she would make a prize,
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then nitty breecht, etc.
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Quoth she, Sir Ile venture some pastime to make,
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Ile make these five Taylors most sadly to quake,
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In hast she disguis'd herself in mans attire,
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And mounted a horse, like a trusty young Squire,
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With weapons of war, she herself would not load,
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But with a Black-pudding she troopt on the Road,
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then finikin Taylors that live by the trade,
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remember the Pudding, and Doll the Cookmaid.
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SHe soon overtook them, and past them did ride,
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And then turn'd upon them with fury that tide,
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You Dogs you deliver your mony with speed,
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Or by this same weapon Ile make you all bleed,
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Then out her Black Pudding she instantly drew,
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Which like a good Pistol appeared to their view.
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then finikin Taylors that live by the trade,
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remember the Pudding, and Doll the Cookmaid.
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The Taylors perceiving that death was so near,
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Fell down on their knees in a pi[t]eous fear,
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Quoth they, we're poor Taylors your Worship may know,
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And all do want money to pay where we owe
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You Rascals, quoth she, how such lyes dare you tell,
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For you have five pounds which I know off full well.
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then finikin, etc.
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The Taylors supposing they should be all slain
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Did beg for their lives in a piteous strain,
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Quoth one of the wisest, O spare us dear brother,
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Because it's but seldome one thief robs another,
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We are near of kin as the Nephew and Neece,
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You live by the the pad, and we live by the piece.
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then f[i]nikin, etc.
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Quoth she, are you willing your blood should be spilt
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Which made them immediately pull out their guilt;
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Here's all quoth the Taylors as we hope to live
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We hope a good part of [it] back you will give,
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You slaves do you think I will part from my money,
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When once I have got it. O no not a penny,
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then nitty breecht, etc.
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The poor Taylor making his complaint to the Esquire.
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She left them bewailing, and home she did ride,
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And told the adventure what e're did betide,
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Which made them all laugh til their sides they were sore
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They vow'd such a frolick was ne'r done before,
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Her courage her master did highly applaud,
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And laught at the jest how the Taylors were claw'd.
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then finikin, etc.
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The silly poor Taylors their money being lost,
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Came back to the Gentleman puffing in haste,
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To send out a Hue and Cry after the theif,
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Which made him to smile to himself, but in breif
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The cook-maid was call'd and they promist her part,
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If she could the money find out by her art,
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then finikin, etc.
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Then Doll fell to conjuring without delay,
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And brought the same money was taken away,
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Quoth she, there's your Cole you impertinent knaves
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'Twas I took it from you you pittiful slaves,
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With this same Black-pudding, and no other tools,
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I made you to stink, like five cowardly fools,
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then finikin, etc.
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And now let the Taylors deny it if they can,
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That [f]i[v]e of them goes for to make up a man,
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This jest will be laught at whilst we are alive,
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How Doll with the Taylors so bravely did thrive:
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Throughout Leicestershire her fame it doth ring,
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And in all parts of England the same we will sing.
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Then finikin Taylors that live by the trade,
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Remember the Pudding and Doll the Cookmaid.
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