THE
Merry MILK-MAID:
Being, Her Longing-Desire after Matrimony: That she might be
one of the Honourable Society of Gossips.
To the Tune of, Tan Tivee.
Licensed according to Order.
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AS I through a Meadow one morning did pass,
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when Flowers and Blossoms were springing;
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I hapned to hear a young Beautiful Lass,
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as she this new Ditty sat singing:
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Here's Beauty without any manner of Pride,
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I'd give forty shillings I might be a Bride,
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To have a kind Husband to lye by my side,
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It is a fine thing to be Marry'd.
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Alass, I have used all manner of means,
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for tempting young Batchelors to me,
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For two or three Year I have been in the Teens,
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yet there is no Gallant will Wooe me:
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My passion with Cupid is daily at strife,
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So that I am weary of a single Life,
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I wish that young Robin would make me his Wife:
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it is a fine thing to be Marry'd.
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I now am a Servant and Drudge like a slave,
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expos'd to all manner of Weather;
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But had I a Husband it then would be brave,
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then we might both Cuddle together:
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The Charms of my Beauty would surely invite
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My Husband, to taste of the pleasant delight,
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In pleasure we'l spin out the long Winters night:
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it is a fine thing to be Marry'd.
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The Lass that is Marry'd, her Husband and she,
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enjoys pleasant Charms out of measure,
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Yet I am not certain what sport it might be,
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but sure it is some sort of Pleasure:
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But e're it be long I'm resolved to know,
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If any Good-Fellow some kindness will show,
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What causes this Itching, above and below:
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it is I dare swear to be Marry'd.
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The good Man he dotes on the Charms of her Eyes,
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and daily endeavours to please her,
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Nay, every Morning before he doth rise,
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he'l hugg her, nay, kiss her, and squeeze her:
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Now when she doth find him thus frolick and free,
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In Love and Affection they both do agree,
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It makes her as blith as a Bird in a Tree:
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it is a fine thing to be Marry'd.
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Nay, when a young Woman is Breeding, you know
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the Husband with Dainties will feed her:
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And as it to higher perfection doth grow,
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abroad he will carefully lead her:
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And then whatsoever she'll covet or crave,
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The honest good Man he endeavours to have,
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Whereby he her timerous Longing may save,
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it is a fine thing to be Marry'd.
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And when the young Women do chance to Cry out,
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they straightways are call'd to their Labours,
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And then after this comes a Gossiping bout,
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to do as the rest of their Neighbours:
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They in their Apparel are Deck'd neat and fine,
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To prattle and likewise to tipple in Wine,
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Until all their Noses with Claret does shine:
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O 'tis a fine thing to be Marry'd.
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I hope in good time it will come to my turn,
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to be at that sweet Recreation;
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All Persons must own it a weighty consern,
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it being for Multiplication:
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And therefore if now I could light of a Friend,
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On whom I might here for a Husband depend,
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I would not delay it a Week to an end:
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it is a fine thing to be Marry'd.
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