The Valarous Acts performed at GAUNT,
By the brave Bonny Lass Mary Ambree, who in Revenge of her Loves death,
did play her part most gallantly. The Tune is, the blind Beggar.
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WHen Captain couragious, whom death could not daunt
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Had roundly besieged the City of Gaunt,
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And manly they marched by two and by three,
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But the foremost in battel was Mary Ambree.
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Thus being enforced to fight with her Foes,
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On each side most fiercely they seemed to close:
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Each one sought for honour in every degree,
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But none so much won it as Mary Ambree,
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When brave Serjant Major was slain in the fight,
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Who was her own true love her joy and delight:
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She swore unrevenged his blood should not be,
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Was not this a brave bonny lass Mary Ambree.
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She cloathed herself from top to the toe,
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With Buff of the bravest and seemly to show:
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A fair shirt of Male over that striped she,
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W[as] not this [a brave] bo[n]ny Lass Mary Ambree[.]
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A Helmet of proof she put on her head,
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A strong armed Sword she girt on her side;
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A fair goodly Gauntlet on her side wore she,
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Was not this a brave bonny lass Mary Ambree.
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Then took she her Sword and her Target in hand;
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And called all those that would be of her band;
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To wait on her person there came thousands three,
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Was not this a brave bonny Lass Mary Ambree.
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Before you shall perish the worst of you all,
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Or come to any danger of Enemies thrall:
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This hand and this life of mine shall set you free,
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Was not this a brave bonny Lass Mary Ambree.
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The Drums and the Trumpets did sound out alarm,
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And many a hundred did loose Leg and Arm;
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And many a thousand she brought on their knee,
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Was not this a brave bonny Lass Mary Ambre[e.]
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THe Sky then she filled with the smoak of her Shot,
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And her Enemies bodies with Bullets so hot;
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For one of her own men a Score killed she,
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Was not this a brave bonny Lass Mary Ambree.
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And then her false Gunner did spoyl her intent,
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Her Powder and Bullets away he had spent;
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And then with her weapon she slasht them in three,
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Was not this a brave bonny Lass Mary Ambree.
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Then took she her Castle where she did abide,
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Her Enemies besieg'd her on every side;
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To beat down her Castle-walls they did agree,
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And all for to overcome Mary Ambree.
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Then took she her Sword and her Target in hand,
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And on her Castle-walls stoutly did stand;
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So daring the Captains, to match any three,
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O what a brave Captain was Mary Ambree.
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At her then they smiled, not thinking in heart,
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That she could have perform'd so valarous a part;
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The one said to the other, we shortly shall see
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This gallant brave captain before us to flee.
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Why what do you think or take me to be?
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Unto these brave Souldiers so valiant spoke she:
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A Knight Sir of England, and Captain (quoth they)
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Whom s[h]ortly we mean to take prisoner away.
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No Captain of England, behold in your sight,
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Two Breasts in my bosom, and therefore no Kn[ight:]
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No Knight Sir of England nor Captain quoth [she,]
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But even a poor bonny Lass Mary Ambree.
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But art thou a woman as thou dost declare,
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That hath made us thus spend our armour in [War;]
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The like in our lives we never did see,
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And therefore we'l honour brave Mary Ambree[.]
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The Prince of grea[t] Parma heard of her renown[,]
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Who long had advanced for Englands fair Cro[wn,]
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In token he sent her a Glove and a Ring,
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And said she should be his Bride at his weddin[g.]
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Why what do you think or take me to be,
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Though he be a Prince of great dignity;
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It shall never be said in England so free,
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That a stranger did maary with Mary Ambree[.]
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Then unto fair England she back did return,
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Still holding the Foes of brave England in scor[n;]
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In Valour no Man was ever like she
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Was not this a brave bonny Lass Mary Ambre[e.]
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In this Womans praises I'le here end my Song[,]
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Whose heart was approved in valour most strong[;]
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Let all sorts of people whatever they be,
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Sing forth the brave valours of Mary Ambree.
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