The Vertuous Maids Resolution: Or, the two honest Lovers
Shewing what unconstant men there be, that use deceit and flattery;
They'l cog, dissemble, swear, and lie, a harmeless Maidens love to try,
To all such Lovers she'l be coy, and says her freedom's all her joy.
To a pleasant new Tune, or I am a poor and harmless Maid.
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IN a melancholy passion I
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was walking by a Rivers side,
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A gallant Damsell I did spy,
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a Lute she had lay by her side,
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Which up she took, did sing and play
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That in her freedome 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'de 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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upon the ground I lay along.
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Then did she sing and sweetly play
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O in my etc.
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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 mam yet hath ambush laid,
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to catch me but I broke 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, etc.
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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 freedom and our chiefest joy,
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for in my, etc.
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With amorous words and speeches fair
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they'l promise that they ne're will do,
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But of such youngsters I'le beware,
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for fear I afterwards should rew.
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What though they count me nice and coy,
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yet in my, etc.
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Alluring baits likewise they have,
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as Silver-Bodkins, Gloves and Rings;
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With Girdles, Scarffs, and Jewells brave,
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and many other costly things:
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But those silver Hooks shall ne're destroy,
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my freedom, etc.
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Whatsoever they give me, talk or say,
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I'le ne're believe them e're the more,
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Their smoothing words shal not me betray,
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I'le stand to what I said before,
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Although they count me nice and coy
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yet in my, 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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Untill such time I will be coy,
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for in my freedom's all my joy.
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The Second Part to the same Tune.
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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 now obtain'd,
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though long, at last her love was gain'd
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She saith her Husband she'l obey,
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and in his Love shall be her joy,
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And in his Love, etc.
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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 so mine eyes,
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My freedom then she did destroy,
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for in her love etc.
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When she spy'd me where I was,
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she rose and would no longer stay,
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I stept unto her 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, etc.
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She blushing then to me did say,
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I do desire 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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Sweetheart 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 vertues to abuse,
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then grant me love ere 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 Ile be your Bride.
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Then on her Lute did sing and play,
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be constant and I'le 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 comly 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 Bride,
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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 love and joy.
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Young men and maids whereere you be,
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that hear this song, I'de 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 'tis rare,
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Onely for wealth let no man chuse,
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for constant love is void of care.
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A vertuous wife will ne're destroy
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your freedom, but shall be your joy.
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