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EBBA 36543

British Library - Luttrell Ballads
Ballad XSLT Template
A Pleasant Dialogue betwixt Two Wanton Ladies of Pleasure;
Or, The Dutchess of Porsmouths woful Farwel to her former Felicity.
One Lady she Couragiously stands in her own defence;
Assuredly none can deny, the Words she speaks is sence:
The other now doth seem to bow, her Colours are display'd,
She is content, her mind is bent, still to maintain her Trade.
Tune of, Tan tarra rara, tan tivee.

BRave Gallants now listen and I will you tell
with a fa, la, la, la fa, la, la,
A pleasant discourse that I heard at Pell-mell,
with a fa la, etc.
Between two fair Ladys of the wanton strain,
The one to the other did sigh and complain,
I wish I was over in France now again,
with a fa la, etc.

Quoth Nelly I prithee who sent for thee here,
with a fa la, etc.
'Tis you with a shame that put in for a share
with a fa la etc.
O do you remember when I was dismay'd,
When you in attire was richly array'd,
Alas I poor Nelly was wrong'd in my trade,
with a fa la, etc.

I pray now could you not your honour advance,
with a fa la, etc.
With some noble Peer, in the Nation of France,
with a fa la, etc.
Forsooth you must needs leave your country dear
To utter your fine french Commodity here,
But sorrow and trouble will bring up the rear,
with a fa la etc.

Dear Nelly be loving and do not reflect,
with a fa la etc.
But prithee now shew me some civil respect,
with a fa la etc.
For now I am in a most pittiful case,
For shame will not let me uncover my face
My honour is turn'd to a vail of disgrace.
with a fa la[,] etc[.]

Quoth Nelly, pray send for the treasure again,
with a fa la, etc.
That you did send over while you were in fame,
with a fa la, etc.
Come, come, I must tell ye that you was too bold
To send from this Nation such parcels of gold,
In such kind of dealings you must be controul'd,
with a fa la, etc.

No sweet Madam Nelly, you cannot deny,
with a fa la, etc.
But you have have had treasure as often as I,
with a fa la, etc.
And yet must I onely indeed be run down,
By you that I value the least in the town,
If I come in favour upon thee i'le frown,
with a fa la, etc.

You drab of a Miss, I do hold you in scorn
with a fa la, etc.
I'de have you to know I am this Nation born,
with a fa la, etc.
Your coming to England I heartily rue,
Of many good bout I've been cheated by you,
For which may a Thousand vexations insue,
with a fa la, etc.

No matter for that it was all my delight,
with a fa la, etc.
But now I am in a most pittiful plight,
with a fa la, etc.
Unfortunate Lady that now am deny'd,
In this vail of sorrow my patience is try'd,
Sure this may be termed the downfal of pride,
with a fa la, etc.

I'le warrant you thought it would never be day,
with a fa la, etc.
But now you are utterly fell to decay,
with a fa la, etc.
You are in a sad and deplorable state,
You wander alone now for want of a Mate,
You're like an old Almanack quite out of date,
with a fa la, etc.

No Nelly, I will not be clearly dismay'd,
with a fa la, etc.
I'le set a good face and will follow my trade,
with a fa la, etc.
I shall have some trading I do make no doubt,
I'le have youthful damosels to ply on the scout,
I'le play a small game now before i'le strick out,
with a fa, la, la, la, fa, la, la.


printed for J. Deacon, in Guiltspur-street.

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