The Vertuous MAID's RESOLUTION:
OR,
the two Honest LOVERS.
Shewing what unconstant men there be,
that use Deceit and Fattery;
they'll cog, dissemble, swear and lie,
A harmless Maidens Life to try;
to all such Lovers she'll be coy,
And says, My freedom's all my joy.
To the tune of, I am a poor and harmless maid, etc.
|
IO a melancholly passion I
|
was walking by a riverside,
|
A gallant damosel I did spy,
|
a lute she had lay by her side,
|
Which up she took and did sing and play,
|
That in her freedom was all her joy,
|
O in my freedam's all my joy.
|
I stept aside, because I'd hear
|
the full conclusion of her song,
|
Her musick ravish'd so mine ear,
|
as on the ground I lay along,
|
Then did she sweetly play,
|
O in my freedom's all my joy.
|
I am a young and harmless maid,
|
and some are pleas'd to stile me fair,
|
There's no man yet hath Ambush laid,
|
to catch me, but I broke the snare;
|
What though they count me nice & coy,
|
Yet in my freedom's all my joy.
|
Most young men have alluring words,
|
poor silly Maidens to betray,
|
Such complements they can afford,
|
that we can hardly say them nay:
|
But let them term me nice and coy,
|
O in my freedom's all my joy.
|
With oaths and protestations great,
|
sometimes they seek to try their skill,
|
When all the while they mean deceit,
|
for to obtain their wanton will:
|
And seek their utmost to destroy,
|
Our utmost and our chiefest joy,
|
With amorous words and speeches fair,
|
they'll promise that they ne'r will do,
|
But of such youngsters i'll beware,
|
for fear I afterwards should rue:
|
What though they count me nice & coy,
|
Yet in my freedom's all my joy,
|
Yet in my freedom's all my joy.
|
Alluring baits also they have,
|
as silver bodkins, gloves, and rings,
|
With girdles, scarves, & jewels brave,
|
and many other costly things:
|
But those silver hooks shall ne'r destroy,
|
For in my freedom's all my joy.
|
Whatsoever they give, talk, or say,
|
i'll ne'r believe them e'er the more,
|
their smoothing words shall not me betray
|
I'll stand to what I said before,
|
Although they count me nice & coy, etc.
|
Yet I could quickly be in love,
|
if I an honest man could find,
|
That would once true & constant prove,
|
and not be wavering like the wind;
|
A little time I will be coy, etc.
|
Here in this second part you'll find,
|
a husband pleasing to her mind;
|
this vertuous maid hath one obtain'd,
|
though long, at last her love has gain'd,
|
She saith her husband she'll obey,
|
And in his love shall be her joy.
|
And thus she did conclude her Song,
|
which having done, I up did rise,
|
my heart was struck with love so strong
|
her beauty dazled botq mine eyes,
|
My freedom then she did destroy,
|
For in her love was all my joy.
|
When she espy'd me where I was,
|
she rose and would no longer stay,
|
I stept unto then, because
|
my heart she bore with her away:
|
Fair maid, said I, do not destroy
|
My freedom and my chiefest joy.
|
She blushing, then to me did say,
|
I do desire no company.
|
Fair Maid, said I, O say not nay,
|
to him that means no flattery:
|
You have my heart, O be not coy,
|
In you is all my earthly joy.
|
Sweet-heart said I; few words I use,
|
but what I speak is from my heart,
|
I scorn your vertue to abuse,
|
then grant me love e'er I depart,
|
Your freedom I will not destroy,
|
For in your love is all my joy.
|
With that she took me by the hand,
|
and led up by the riverside,
|
If that you true and constant prove,
|
quoth she, perhaps I'll be your bride
|
Then on her lute did siing and play,
|
Be constant and i'll be thy joy.
|
I then made bold to crave a kiss,
|
which modestly she to me gave,
|
I took it for a heavenly bliss,
|
her comely gesture was so brave:
|
I thought it long to see the day,
|
Wherein I might my love enjoy.
|
But to conclude, we married were,
|
I have obtain'd a vertuous wife;
|
And at last I brought to pass,
|
what she to others had deny'd:
|
Although at first she seemed coy,
|
She calls me now her only joy.
|
Young men & maids wheree'er you be,
|
that hear this song, i'd wish you learn
|
A pattern by our civility,
|
then lovers true you may discern,
|
For them that seek for to destroy,
|
Your freedom, etc.
|
Vertue beyond all beauty goes,
|
but he that gains them both is rare,
|
Only for wealth let no man chose,
|
for constant love is void of care;
|
A Vertuous wife will ne'r destroy
|
Your freedom, but will be your joy.
|
|
|
|
|
|