The DUTCHESS of
PORTSMOUTHs Farewel:
The Dutchess holds a Dialogue,
and talks with Madam Gwin;
Yea, doth relate the wretched state,
that now she liveth in.
To the Tune of, Tan tarra rara tan tivee.
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I Prithee dear Portsmouth now tell me thy mind
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with a fa, la, la, la, fa, la la,
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Dost thou not think that the Fates are unkind,
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with a fa la, etc.
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It is not long since thy fame it was great,
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But now 'tis eclips'd by unkindness of fate,
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Thy case now doth seem a sad tale to relate,
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with a fa la la la, fa la la.
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Ah! Nell could I but my sorrow explain
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with a fa la, etc.
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Which filleth my heart with sorrow and pain,
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with a fa la, etc.
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A shower from mine eyes I should certainly weep,
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Would add to the waves of the Ocean so deep,
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For now my dear friend lyes fast in his sleep.
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with a fa la, etc.
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Magnificent splendor did on thee attend,
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with a fa la, etc.
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And now I would have thee thy life to amend;
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with a fa la, etc.
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On rich and on poor, Dame-Fortune doth frown,
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Thou from thy great honour art tumbled down,
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It is not thy money thy actions can crown,
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with a fa la, etc.
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And not to my sorrow now I am perplext,
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with a fa la, etc.
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For ought I do know Nell thou may'st be the next,
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with a fa la, etc.
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Then seem not at my distress for to scorn,
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To happiness lasting few people is born,
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And I like myself am now left forlorn,
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with a fa la, etc.
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What must thou return to thy country of France
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with a fa la, etc.
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Or will not thy chastity here thee advance,
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with a fa la, etc.
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What hast thou forsook thy most amorous trade,
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Or hast thou left off the game thou hast plaid,
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Tho' not one in ten took thee for a Maid,
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with a fa la, etc.
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These quirks are too quick you do put on me Nell,
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with a fa la, etc.
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And thou thine own self, lov'st the sport very well,
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with a fa la, etc.
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Then let us not one another deride,
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For there's many Gallants that love it beside,
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But Fortune I fear now will pull down my pride,
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witih a fa la, etc.
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Your beauty and vertus now seem to decline,
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with a fa la, etc.
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I know not how soon your fate may be mine,
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with a fa la, etc.
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Now unstring your purse, and be kind to the poor,
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I know that confinement you cannot indure,
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There is nothing on earth that is stable and sure,
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with a fa la, etc.
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You seem Nell with speed for to post me away,
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with a fa la, etc.
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But e're I go hence my debts I must pay,
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with a fa la, etc.
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And is not this now a most sorrowful thing,
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That I who had the great world in a sling,
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Must now in this plight most mournfully sing.
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with a fa la, etc.
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But Madam from hence you sent treasure away,
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with a fa la, etc.
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And here I suppose that awhile you must stay,
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with a fa la, etc.
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But what I myself have got by my game,
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I freely in England expended the same,
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But you have transported yours to your shame,
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with a fa la, etc.
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But one of my Sisters hath suffer'd before,
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with a fa la, etc.
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She I do remember was called Jane-shore,
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with a fa la, etc.
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For now I am possessed with sorrow and fear,
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And in my sad dreams strange visions appear,
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I have lost my best friend that I loved so dear,
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with a fa la, fa la la.
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