The FRYER well Fitted;
OR,
A pretty Jest that once befell,
How a Maid put a Fryer to cool in the Well.
To a Merry Tune.
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AS I lay musing all alone,
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fa, la, la, la, la,
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A pritty jest I thought upon,
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fa, la, la, la, la,
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Then listen a while, and I will you tell,
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Of a Fryer that lov'd a bonny Lass well
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fa, la, la, la, la,
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fa, la, la, lang-tre-down-dilly.
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He came to the Maid when she went to bed
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fa, la, etc.
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Desiring to have her Maiden-head,
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fa, la, etc.
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But she denyed his desire,
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And told him, that she fear'd Hell Fire;
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fa, la, etc.
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Tush (quod the Fryer) thou needst not doubt
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fa, la, etc.
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If thou wert in hell I could sing thee out
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fa, la, etc.
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Then (quod the maid) thou shalt have thy request,
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The Fryer was glad as a Fox in his nest
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fa, la, etc.
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But one thing (quoth she) I do desire,
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fa, la, etc.
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Before you have what you require,
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fa, la, etc.
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Before that you shall do the thing,
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An Angel of money thou shalt me bring,
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fa, la, etc.
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Tush (quoth the Fryer) we shall agree,
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fa, la, etc.
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No money shall part my Love and me;
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fa, la, etc.
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Before that I will see thee lack,
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I'le pawn my grey Gown from my back
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fa, la, etc.
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The Maid bethought her of a wile,
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fa, la, etc.
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How she the Fryer might beguile,
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fa, la, etc.
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While she was gone the truth to tell,
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She hung a Cloth before the Well;
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fa, la, la, la, la,
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fa, la, la, lang-tree-down-dilly.
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The Fryer came as his covenant was
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fa, la, etc.
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With money to his bonny Lass,
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fa, la, etc.
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Good morrow fair Maid, good morrow, (quod he)
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Here is the money I promised thee;
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fa, la, la, la, la,
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fa, la, la, lang-tre-down-dilly.
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She thankt the man, & she took his mony
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fa, la, etc.
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Now let us go too't, (quod he) sweet honey
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fa, la, etc.
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Oh stay (quod she) some respite make,
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My Father comes he will me take;
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fa, la, etc.
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Alas (quod the Fryer) where shall I run,
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fa, la, etc.
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To hide me till he be gone,
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fa, la, etc.
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Behind the Cloth run thou (quod she)
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And there my Father cannot thee see,
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fa, la, etc.
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Behind the Cloth the Fryer crept,
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fa, la, etc.
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And into the Well on a sudden he leapt,
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fa, la, etc.
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Alas (quoth he) I am in the Well,
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No matte (quod she) if thou wert in Hell;
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fa, la, etc.
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Thou say'st thou couldst sing me out of Hell,
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fa, la, etc.
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Now prithee sing thy self out of the well,
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fa, la, etc.
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The Fryer sung on with a pitiful sound,
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Oh help me out, or I shall be drown'd;
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fa, la, etc.
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I trow (quoth she) your courage is cool'd
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fa, la, etc.
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(Quoth the Fryer) I never was so fool'd,
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fa, la, etc.
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I never was served so before,
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then take heed (quod she) thou com'st there no more,
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fa, la, etc.
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(Quoth he) for sweet Saint Francis sake
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fa, la, etc.
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On his Disciple some pitty take,
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fa, la, etc.
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(Quoth she) Saint Francis never taught
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His Scholars to tempt young Maids to naught;
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fa, la, etc.
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The Fryer did intreat her still,
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fa, la, etc.
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That she would help him out of the well,
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fa, la, etc.
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She heard him make such piteous moan
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She help'd him out, and bid him be gone
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fa, la, etc.
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(Quoth he) shall I have my money again
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fa, la, etc.
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Which from me thou hast before-hand tane
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fa, la, etc.
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good sir (said she) there's no such matter,
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I'le make you pay for fouling my water,
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fa, la, etc.
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The Fryer went all along the Street,
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fa, la, etc.
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Dropping wet, like a new-wash'd Sheep
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fa, la, etc.
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Both old and young commended the Maid
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That such a witty prank had plaid,
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fa, la, la, la, la,
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fa, la, la, lang-tre-down-dilly.
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