Close ×

Search EBBA

Advanced Search

EBBA 36193

Chetham's Library - Halliwell-Phillipps
Ballad XSLT Template
THE Wanton VIRGINS Frighted) Within the Compass of the FLUTE

YOU that delight in a Jocular song,
Come listen unto me a while Sir,
I will engage you shall not tarry long,
before it will make you to smile Sir,
Near to the town there did live an old man
had three pretty Maids for his daughters,
of whom I will tell such a storry anon,
will tickle your fancy with laughter

(2)
The old Man he had in his Garden a Pond,
Twas in very fine Summer Weather,
The Daughters one Night they were all very fond,
To go and Bath in it together
Which they all agreed but happening to be,
Espy'd by a Youth in the House Sir,
Who got in the Garden and Clim'd up a Tree,
So there lay as still as a Mouse Sir,

(3)
The branch where he sat, it hung over the Pond,
At each puff of wind he did totter,
Pleas'd with the thoughts he should sit so abscond,
And see them go into the Water,
When the old man was safe in his Bed,
The Daughters unto the Pond went Sir,
One to the other two laughing She said,
As high as our Bubbies we'll venture,

(4)
Upon the tender Green Grass they sat down,
They all were of Delicate Feature,
Each pull'd of her Petticoat Smock and Gown,
No sight could ever be sweeter,
Into the Pond then they Dabbling whent,
So Clean that they needed no washing,
But they was so unluckily bent,
Like Boys they began to be Dashing,

(5)
If any one should see us says one
They'd think we were bobbing of Evils,
And from the sight of us quickly would run,
To avoid so many white Divils,
This put the Youth on such a merry Pin,
He let go his hold thro' his Laughter,
And as it fell out he fell tumbling in,
And Scar'd them all out of the water,

(6)
The Old Man by this time a Noise had heard,
And rose out of bed in a Fright Sir,
And comes to the door with a Rusty old Sword,
There stood in a Posture to Fight Sir,
The Daughters they all came tumbling in,
And over the Dad they did Blunder,
Who cry'd out aloud Mercy good Gentlemen,
And thought they were Thieves come to Plunder,

(7)
The Noise by this time the Neighbourhood heard,
Who came with long Clubs to Assist him,
He said that three bloody Rogues run up stairs,
He dar'd by no means resist them,
For they were Cloathed all in their Buff,
He saw as they shov'd id their Shoulders,
And Black Bandileers hung before like a Ruff,
Which made him believe they were Soldiers.

(8)
The Virgins their Cloaths in the Garden had left,
And Keys of their Trunks in their Pockets,
To put on their Sheets they were fain to make shift
Their Chest they could not unlock it,
At last ventur'd up these valiant Men,
Thus Armed with Courage Undaunted,
But took them for Spirits and run back again,
And swore that the House it was Haunted,

(9)
As they retreated the young Man they met,
Come shivering in at the door Sir,
Who lookt like a Rat with his Cloaths dropping wet,
No Rouge that was Pumpt could look worser,
All were amaz'd to see him come in,
And ask'd of him what was the matter,
He told them the Story where he had been,
Which made them burst into a Laughter,

(10)
Quoth the Old Dad I was in a Huff,
And reckon'd to cut them asunder,
Thinking they had been three Soldiers in Buff,
That came there to Rifle and Plunder,

But they are my Daughters whom I ador'd,
All Frighted from Private Diversion,
Therfore Ill put up my Old rusty Sword,
For why should I be in a Passion.

View Raw XML