A Constant Wife, and a Kind Wife,
A Loving Wife, and a Fine Wife,
Which gives content unto mans life.
To the Tune of, Locks and Bolts do hinder.
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YOung-men and Maids, lend me your aids
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to speak of my dear Sweeting
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It shews how Fortune hath betray'd,
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and often spoyl'd our meetings
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She likely was for to be rich,
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and I a man but meanly,
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Wherefore her friends at me do grutch,
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and use me most unkindly.
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Her constancy I will declare,
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wherein she proved loyal,
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But few that will with her compare,
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when they are put to tryal,
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Her friends against her did contend,
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because she lent me favour,
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They said I quickly all would spend,
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if that I might but have her.
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They did convey her from my sight,
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because she should exempt me,
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I could not find my hearts delight,
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which sore did discontent me:
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I travel'd over craggy Rocks,
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o're Mountains, Hills, and Valleys,
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But she was kept from me with locks,
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onely through spight and malice.
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But Love that conquers Kings & Queens,
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herein did shew us favour,
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I brought to pass, and wrought the means,
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in what place I could have her:
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She had an Uncle did detain,
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and kept her person from me,
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Which I had very like to have slain,
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because he did so wrong me.
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I boldly came where she did dwell,
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and asked for my Sweeting,
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They said of her they could not tell,
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which was to me sad greeting;
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But presently she heard my voice,
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and call'd me at her Window,
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O I would come to thee my love,
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but Doors and Locks do hinder.
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Whereat amazed I did stand,
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to hear her make that answer,
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I drew my sword into my hand,
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and straight the House did enter:
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And then I made the Locks to fly,
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and Doors in pieces shatter,
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I vow'd to have her company,
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and quickly I came at her.
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The second Part, to the same tune.
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HEr Uncle and some of his Men,
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did after present follow,
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Who said I ne'r should out again,
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but in my blood should wallow;
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But with some hurt done on both sides,
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I got my Sweet-heart from them:
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Young-men to get your selves such brides,
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fight for to overcome them.
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Then joyn'd we hands, in Hymens bands,
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to love and live together,
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She lov'd me not for House or Lands,
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for I had none of either;
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Her Love was pure, and doth indure,
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and so shall mine for ever,
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Till death doth us so much injure,
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to part us from each other.
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With hand and heart, I will impart,
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the praise of my dear Sweeting,
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Now welcome joys, and farewel smart,
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blest be the time of meeting:
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With my Sweet-heart, and only Dear,
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in whom is all my pleasure,
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The like of her doth not appear,
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she is so blest a creature.
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O happy is that time and hour,
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that e'r I saw thy feature,
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Such heavens bliss on me did shour,
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to send me such a Creature;
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She is so pleasing to my Eye,
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the like was never any,
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She's vertuous, wise, and very kind,
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she far surpasseth many.
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Her comely Feature may compare,
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with any in Town or City,
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For courtesie she is most rare,
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likewise she's full of pitty:
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No vertue that can give content,
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in all that hear her praises,
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But God to her the same hath lent,
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whereby her Glory raises.
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Her golden Locks like threads of gold,
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her eyes like Stars do glister,
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Her Cheeks the Rose and Lilly fold,
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she may be Venus Sister:
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She hath a dimple in her Chin,
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her neck shines like the Chrystal,
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The like hath seldom times been seen,
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she seemeth so Celestial.
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Her Arms and Shoulders are compleat,
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her brest like Alabaster,
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Her Wast and Middle is so neat,
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there's none that can surpass her,
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Her Eloquents gives such content
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in all that hear her praises,
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That freely they'l give their consent,
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and yield her Earthly praises.
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Her Lilly hands are at command,
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to do me any service,
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And quickly she will understand,
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a matter whatsoe'r it is:
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If I bid go she will not stay,
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to work me a displeasure,
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But presently she goes away,
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and is not this a treasure?
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Her parts below i'le not descry,
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for they are very neat ones,
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A dainty Foot, a Leg, and Thigh,
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as can be made of flesh and bones:
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She is so perfect in her parts,
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that many were enflamed;
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On her they wholly set their hearts,
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and at her fully aimed.
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Thus to conclude and end my Song,
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I wish well to the Female,
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Or else I should do them much wrong,
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and prove my self a tell-tale.
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Young-men adieu, prove not untrue,
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unto your onely Sweeting;
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Observe your time, you need not rue,
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nor curse the time of meeting.
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