The Faithful SQUIRE:
OR,
The Fortunate Farmer's Daughter:
Had she consented to his will,
when he rid first that way,
She might have been unmarried still,
though now a Lady Gay.
To the Tune of, Charon.
This may be Printed, R.P.
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THere was I'll tell you a wealthy young Squire,
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Who took his Journey to Gloster-shire,
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Deckt in such gawdy and sumptuous attire,
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Which might become a right noble Peer;
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As he rid through a place call'd Street[e]r,
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strange flames of Love he then did feel,
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It was at the sight of a Beautiful Creature,
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as she sat close at her Spinning Wheel.
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He had no power alas! to ride by her,
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but stood and gaz'd on her Beauty bright;
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And was resolved that minute to try her,
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hoping she'd grant him his hearts delight,
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Silver and Gold this Gallant shew'd her,
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hoping thereby to have his will
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But his kind profers could no ways delude her,
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she was resolv'd to live honest still.
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Often he told her that he would advance her,
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if she would tell him her Pedigree;
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Then she with blushes return[']d him this answer,
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I was born of a mean Family;
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Yet I'll not be at your Devotion,
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I value not a Golden Gain,
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Though I have never a Groat to my Portion,
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my Credit, Sir, I will never stain.
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Finding he could not obtain his desire,
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he rid away in a cruel Rage,
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Vowing again he wou'd never come nigh her;
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but yet his flames he could not asswage:
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The more he labour'd to forget her,
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the fresher she ran in his mind;
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To be his Lady he needs must admit her,
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Beauty had so far his Heart confin'd.
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With his Relations he tarried a season,
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where there was beautiful Ladies store,
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Thus with himself he began for to reason,
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why should I marry with one so poor,
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When I may have my choice of many,
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which are both wealthy, fair and wise;
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Yet amongst these I cannot fancy any,
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the Farmers Daughter hath won the Prize.
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With his Relations he long could not tarry,
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because he had left h[i]s heart behind,
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With that fair Beauty, which he vows to marry,
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if that he might but her favour find:
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Then in a week, or fortnight after,
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he to her Father's house did ride,
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Saying, if that you will give me your Daughter,
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Sir, I will make her my lawful Bride.
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Then said her Father, I much do admire,
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that you on her so much love should place,
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Seeing your Garb and most Sumptuous attire,
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speaks you to be of a noble Race,
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You may have Ladies at your leasure,
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wealthy and fit for your Degree:
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I have not want, sa[i]d the Squire, of Treasure,
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she is more precious than Gold to me.
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There is no Lady most noble descended,
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that shall be honour'd, Sir, more than she;
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With many Servants she shall be attended,
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And I myself in her company:
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O then bespake her loving Father,
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may all the Powers now Divine,
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Make you forever most happy together,
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get her goodwill, and I'll grant you mine.
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Then the young Squire saluted his Beauty,
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who gave him freely both Heart and Hand,
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Saying, forever she own'd it her Duty,
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to be obedient to his command:
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And in some three or four days after,
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their Joys they did with comfort crown;
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This Squire marry'd the Farmer's fair Daughter,
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and liv'd together near London Town.
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Though in this happy and splendid condition,
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yet like the innocent tender Dove,
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She is a stranger to Pride and Ambition,
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in her Humility's grac'd with Love:
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So that her Carriage is commended
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by many Lords of high degree,
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And the young Ladies most noble descended,
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daily delights in her Company.
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