A constant wife, and a kind wife,
A loving wife, and a fine wife,
Which gives content unto mans life.
To the tune of, Locks and bolts doe hinder.
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YOng Men & Maids lend me your aids,
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to speake of my deare Sweeting,
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It shewes how Fortune hath betray'd,
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and often spoyl'd our meeting:
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She likely was for to be rich,
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and I a man but meanly,
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Wherefore her friends at me doe grutch,
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and use me most unkindly.
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Her constancie I will declare,
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wherein she proved loyall,
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But few with her that will compare,
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when they are put to tryall.
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Her friends against her did contend,
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because she lent me favour,
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They said, I quickly all would spend,
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if that I might but have her.
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They did convey her from my sight,
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because she should exempt me,
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I could not find my hearts delight,
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which sore did discontent me:
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I travell'd over craggie Rocks,
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o're Mountains, Hills, and Vallies,
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But she was kept from me with locks,
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onely through spite and malice.
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But love that conquers Kings & Queens,
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herein did show us favour,
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I brought to passe and wrought the means
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in what place I should have her:
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She had an Uncle did detaine,
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and keepe her presence from me,
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Whom I was very like t'have slaine[,
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because he did so wrong me.]
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I boldly came where she did dwell,
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and asked for my Sweeting,
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They said of her they could not tell,
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which was to me sad greeting:
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But presently she heard my voyce,
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and call'd me at her window,
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O I would come to thee my Love,
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but doores and locks doe hinder.
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Whereat amazed I did stand,
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to here her make that answer,
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I drew my Sword into my hand,
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and straight the house did enter;
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And then, I made the locks to flye,
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and doores in pieces shatter,
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I vow'd to have her companie,
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and quickly I came at her.
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Her Uncle and some of his men,
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did after present follow,
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Who said, I nere should out againe,
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but in my blood should wallow:
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But with some hurt done on both sides,
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I got my Sweet-heart from them,
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Yong-men to win yourselves such Brides
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fight for to overcome them.
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Then joyn'd we hands in Hymens bands,
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to love and live together,
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She lov'd me not for house or Lands,
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for I had none of either:
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Her love was pure, and doth endure,
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and so shall mine forever,
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Till death so much doe us injure,
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[as part us from each other.]
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The Second Part, to the same tune.
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WIth hand and heart I will impart,
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the praises of my Sweeting,
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Now welcome joyes and farewell smart,
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blest be the time of meeting:
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With my Sweet-heart and onely deare,
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in whom is all my pleasure,
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The like of her doth not appeare,
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she is so blest a creature.
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O happie be the time and houre,
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that e're I saw her feature,
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Sure Heavens blisse on me did showre,
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to send me such a creature;
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She is so pleasing to mine eye,
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the like was never any,
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She's vertuous, wise, and very kind,
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she far surpasseth any.
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Her comely feature may compare,
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with any in Towne or Citie,
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For curtesie she is most rare,
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likewise she's full of pittie;
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No vertue that can give content,
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to any earthly creature,
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But God to her the same hath lent,
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to please the will of Nature.
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Her golden locks like threads of gold,
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her eyes like Stars doe glister,
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Her cheeks like Rose and Lillies fold,
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she may be Venus Sister:
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She hath a dimple in her chin,
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her neck shines like the Chrystall,
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Her like hath seldome times been seen,
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she seemeth so celestiall.
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Her armes and shoulders are compleat,
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her brest like Alabaster,
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Her wast and middle is so neat,
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there's none that e're surpast her:
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Her eloquence gives such content,
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in all that heare her phrases,
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That freely they'l yeeld their consent,
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to yeeld her earthly praises.
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Her Lilly hand is at command,
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to doe me any service,
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And quickly she will understand
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a matter whatsoe're 'tis:
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If I bid goe she will not stay,
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to worke me a displeasure,
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But presently she goes away,
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and is not this a treasure?
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Her parts below Ile not descry,
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for they are very neat ones,
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A daintie foot, and leg, and thigh,
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as can be made of flesh and bones;
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She is so perfect in her parts,
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that many were inflamed,
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On her they wholly set their hearts,
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and at her fully aimed.
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Thus to conclude and end my Song,
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I wish well to the female,
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Or else I sure should doe them wrong,
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and prove myselfe a tell-tale:
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Young-men adieu prove not unkind
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unto your onely Sweeting,
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Observe your time you need not rue,
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nor curse the houre of meeting.
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