A Ditty delightfull of mother watkins ale
A warning wel wayed, though counted a tale.
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THere was a maid this other day,
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and she would needs go forth to play.
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And as she walked she sithd and said,
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I am afraid to die a mayd.
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With that: behard a Lad,
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What talke this maiden had,
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whereof he was full glad,
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and did not spare,
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To say, faire mayd I pray,
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whether goe you to play:
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Good sir then did she say,
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what do you care?
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For I will without faile
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Mayden, give you Watkins ale,
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Watkins ale good sir quoth she,
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what is that I pray you tel me.
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Tis sweeter farre then Suger fine,
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And pleasanter than Muskadine,
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And if you please faire mayd to stay,
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A little while with me to play:
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I will give you the same,
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watkins ale cald by name:
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Or els I were to blame,
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in truth faire mayd.
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Good sir quoth she againe,
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Yf you will take the paine:
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I will it not refraine,
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nor be dismayd.
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He toke this mayden then aside,
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And led her where she was not spyde,
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And told her many a pretty tale,
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And gave her well of watkins ale.
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Good sir quoth she in smiling sort,
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what doe you call this prety sport?
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Or what is this you do to me?
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Tis called Watkins ale quoth he.
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wherein (faire mayd you may)
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Report another day,
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When you go forth to play,
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how you did speed:
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Indeed (good sir quoth she)
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It is a prety glee.
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And well it pleaseth me.
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no doubt indeed.
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Thus they sported and they playd,
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This yongman and this prety mayd,
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Under a banke whereas they lay,
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Not long agoe this other day.
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When he had done to her his will,
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They talkt, but what it shall not skill:
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At last quoth she, saving your tale,
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Give me some more of Watkins ale.
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Or else I will not stay,
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For I must needs away,
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My mother bad me play,
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the time is past:
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therfore good sir quoth she,
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If you have done with me,
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Nay soft faire maid quoth he,
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againe at last.
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Let us talke a little while,
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With that the mayd began to smile,
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And saide good sir full well I know,
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Your ale I see runs very low.
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This yong man then being so blamd,
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Did blush as one being ashamde:
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He tooke her by the midle small,
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And gave her more of watkins ale:
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and saide faire maid I pray
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when you goe forth to play,
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Remember what I say,
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walke not alone.
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Good sir quoth she againe,
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I thanke you for your paine,
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For feare of further staine,
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I will be gone.
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Farewell mayden then quoth he,
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Adue good sir againe quoth she,
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Thus they parted at last,
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Till thrice three months were gone and past.
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This mayden then fell very sicke,
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Her maydenhead began to kicke,
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Her colour waxed wan and pale,
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With taking much of Watkins ale,
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I wish all maydens coy,
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That heare this prety toy,
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Wherein most women joy,
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how they doe sport:
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For surely Watkins ale,
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And if it be not stale,
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Will turne them to some bale.
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as hath report.
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New ale will make their bellies bowne,
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As trial by this same is knowne,
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this proverbe hath bin taught in schools,
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It is no jesting with edge tooles.
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Thrise scarcely changed hath the moon
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Since first this pretty tricke was done,
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Which being harde of one by chance,
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He made thereof a country dance.
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And as I heard the tale,
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he cald it Watkins ale,
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which never will be stale,
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I doe beleeve:
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This dance is now in prime,
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and chiefly usde this time,
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And lately put in rime:
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let no man greeve,
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To heare this merry jesting tale,
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The which is called watkins ale:
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It is not long since it was made,
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The finest flower will soonest fade.
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Good maydes and wives I pardon crave
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And lack not that which you would have
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To blush it is a womans grace,
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And well becometh a maidens face,
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For women will refuse,
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the thing that they would chuse
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Cause men should them excuse,
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of thinking ill:
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Cat will after kind,
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all winkers are not blind,
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Faire maydes you know my mind,
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say what you will.
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When you drinke ale beware the toast
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For therein lay the danger most:
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If any heere offended be,
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Then blame the author, blame not me.
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