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EBBA 35186

Houghton Library - Huth EBB65H
Ballad XSLT Template
The honest Maidens Loyalty;
Or, The Young mans faithful constancy.
He vows to endure the Rack and the Stake
And suffer dearly for his true Lovers sake,
To a pleasant new Tune, Wert thou more fairer

MOst early in a morning fair,
a young man sung this pleasant quire.
Where his dear sweeting did use to lye,
and thus lamenting he did cry.
Farewell sweetheart for I must be gone,
but I'le have my love or I'le have none,

Set forty thousand on a row,
There's none can make so fair a show.
For in the Pallace of her twinkling eyes,
I see how amorous Cupid flies,
As for my part I have chosen one, etc.

No rack nor stake with tortures great,
That shall my Love entire defeat,
O do not waver like the turning wind,
But hear a lovers constant mind,
As for my part, etc.

Thus who can love so true as I,
That am so sick yet cannot dye:
A cordial kiss can my heart revive,

And make a love-sick man alive,
And by experience is well know, etc.

A Lady in her high degree,
Her lofty mind cannot fancy me:
For many are ambitious in their ways,
But Maidens chaste young men should praise
I will be faithful to my own,
For Ile have, etc.

Your City dames with mincing feats,
Have many tricks and fine conceits,
But my true Love is virtuous, chast and wise
And like an Angell in mine eyes,
As for my part, etc.

Into some far Countrey I'le go,
Confine myself to care and wo,
Till fickle fortune please to smile,
That hath so lower'd all this while.
As for my part I have chosen one,
And I'le have, etc.

The Second Part to the same Tune.

THe Young-man ending of his Song,
The Maiden knew his voice and tongue,
And stepping then unto his window side
How fares my Love, aloud she cry'd.
As for my part I have chosen one,
I'le have my true or I'le have none.

Though Locks and Bolts do hinder me,
Theres none shall keep my Love from thee,
But as the Dove is constant to the end,
So I'le prove true to thee my friend.
As for, etc.

My Father and my Mother both,
Have bound it with a fearfull oath,
They will thee kill and spill thy harmless blood
And so disturbing of of our good,
As for, etc.

My Brother does in ambush wait,
Thee to betray with all deceit:
Though Father frown and Mother angry be,
Yet I will have no Man but thee.
As for, etc.

My Uncles and my Kindred all,
Are much enrag'd do scold and brawl
And wish that day that I to thee am wed,
That we may perish in our bed.
As for, etc.

And I ten thousand pounds of gold,
Or Lands, they surely should be sold.
I'le change my state into a low degree,
And go a begging along with thee
As for etc.

Through fire and water I will go
Along with thee who e're say no,
I am coming now to take with thee my lot,
That we may tye the True-loves knot,
as for, etc.

Welcome my sweet to him that bears
A loyall heart, overwhelm'd with cares.
Welcome a thousand times my dearest Love
For I most faithfull to thee will prove.
as for, etc.

Heaven blesse the day as we enjoy
True Lovers bliss without annoy.
A thousand kisses to my love I'le give,
Our hearts united in love to live.
as for, etc.

Young men and Maids wh[a]t e're you be,
Make all your choices firm and free,
Prove Loyal, constant, to your dearest friend,
So Heavens will blesse you unto the end.
Let all your voices thus go into one,
I will have my true Love or Ile have none


London, Printed for Richard Burton at the Horse-shoe in Smithfield.

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