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