THE
Valorous Acts performed at Gaunt,
By the Brave Bonny Lass Mary Ambree,
Who in Revenge of her Love's Death, did play her part most gallantly. To the
of, The Blind Beggar, etc.
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WHen Captain Couragious, whom Death could not daunt,
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Had roundly besieged the City of Gaunt,
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And manly they marched by two and by three,
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But the foremost in Battle was Mary Ambree.
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Thus being enforced to fight with her Foes,
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On each side they seemed most fiercly to close;
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Each one sought for Honour in every degree,
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But none so much won it as Mary Ambree.
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When brave Serjant Major was slain in the Fight,
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Who was her own true Love her Joy and Delight;
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She swore unrevenged his Blood should not be,
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Was not this a brave bonny lass Mary Ambree.
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She cloathed her lelf from top to the toe,
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With Buff of the bravest, and seemly to show;
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A fair Shirt of Male over that stripped she,
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Was not this a brave bonny lass Mary Ambree.
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A Helmet of Proof she put on her Head,
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A strong armed Sword she girt on her side;
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A fair goodly Gauntlet on her side wore she,
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'Was not this a brave bonny lass Mary Ambree.
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Then took she her Sword and her Target in hand;
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And called all those that would be of her Band;
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To wait on her Person there came thousands three,
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'Was not this a brave bonny lass Mary Ambree.
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Before you shall perish the worst of you all,
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Or come to any danger of Enemies thrall;
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This Hand and this Life of mine shall set you free,
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'Was not this brave bonny lass Mary Ambree.
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The Drums and the Trumpets did sound out Alarm,
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And many a hundred did lose Leg and Arm;
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And many a thousand she brought on their Knee,
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'Was not this a brave bonny lass Mary Ambree.
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The Sky then she fill'd with the smoak of her Shot,
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And her Enemies Bodies with Bullets so hot,
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For one of her own Men a Score killed she,
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'Was not this a brave bonny lass Mary Ambree.
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And then her false Gunner did spoil her intent,
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Her Powder and Bullets away he had spent;
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And then with her Weapon she slasht them in three,
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'Was not this a brave bonny lass Mary Ambree.
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Then took she her Castle where she did abide,
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Her Enemies besieg'd her on every side;
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To beat down her Castle-walls they did agree,
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'And all for to overcome Mary Ambree.
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Then took she her Sword and her Target in Hand,
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And on her Castle-walls stoutly did stand;
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So daring the Captains, to match any three,
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'O what a brave Captain was Mary Ambree.
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At her then they smiled, not [thinking in heart,]
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That she could have perform['d so valarous a part;]
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The one said to the other, [we shortly shall see]
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This gallant brave Captain [before us to flee.]
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Why, what do you think, o[r take me to be?]
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Unto these brave Soldiers s[o valiant spoke she:]
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A Knight, Sir, of England[, and Captain (quoth they)]
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Whom shortly we mean to [take prisoner away.
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No Captain of England, b[ehold in your sight,]
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Two Breasts in my Bosom[,] and therefore no Knight:]
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No Knight, Sir, of England [nor Captain quoth she,]
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But even a poor bonny lass [Mary Ambree.]
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But art thou a Woman, as [thou dost declare,]
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That hath made us thus spe[nd our armour in War;]
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The like in our lives we ne[ver did see,]
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And therefore we'll honour [brave Mary Ambree.]
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The Prince of great Parma [heard of her renown,]
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Who long had advanced [for Englands fair Crown]
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In Token he sent her a G[love and a Ring,]
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And said she should be his [Bride at his wedding.]
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Why, what do you think, [or take me to be,]
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Though he be a Prince of [great dignity;]
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It shall not be said in Engla[nd so free,]
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That a Stranger did marry [with Mary Ambree.]
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Then unto fair England sh[e back did return,]
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Still holding the Foes of [of brave England in scorn;]
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In Valour no Man was eve[r like she
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'Was not this a brave b[onny lass Mary Ambree?]
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In this Woman's Praises i'l [here end my Song,]
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Whose Heart was approved [in valour most strong;]
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Let all sorts of People whate[ver they be,]
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'Sing forth the brave Valours [of Mary Ambree.]
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