A pleasant Ditty, of a Maydens Vow,
That faine would Marry, and yet knew not how.
To the tune of, O no, no, no, not yet.
THere was a lusty [...] [...]ull Lad,
that lou'd a Countrey Lasse:
And many a swéet discourse they had,
as they alone did passe:
[...]his Young-man he was apt[?] to woe,
and well himselfe could carry,[?]
[...]he Mayd was kinde of [...]ing minde,
but yet she would not marry.
This Young mans heart was set on fire,
and still he did inuent,
How he might compasse his desire,
and frustrate her intent:
For still this Mayde said as before,
from all thy hopes I'le barre thée:
Therefore be gone, let me alone,
in sooth I will not marry.
This answer much dismayed him,
and troubled so his minde,
[...]hat he thereat look'd pale and grim,
and no content could finde:
[...]his Mayden she was nothing mou'd,
nor from her words would vary,
[...]ut constantly shee did reply,
ile neuer yeeld to marry.
My Loue quoth he is so intire,
and [...]me to thée my Deare,
[...]ho [...] loue againe I much desire,
with many a wéeping teare:
Therefore swéet heart be not vnkinde,
nor say that thou will tarry,
[...]ut let me proue thy constant Loue,
and then consent to marry.
Didst thou but know the inward griefe,
I suffer for thy Loue,
Thy flinty heart would yéeld reliefe,
or more abdurate prone:
My legs are growne so weake, that they
my body scarce can carry,
Then yéeld reliefe to ease my griefe,
and giue consent to marry.
No, no, quoth she thy flattring tongue,
shall ne're obtaine his sute,
Thy tempting words haue done me wrong,
therefore I pray be mute:
For I am fully purposed,
hence forth to be more wary,
Therefore away make no delay,
for in sooth I will not marry.
He asked her she reason why,
shee should reiect him so:
She would not such she did reply,
for friend nor yet for foe:
Quoth shée my yeares are yet but gréene,
I am young enough to tarry.
This twelue-monthes day, therefore away
'tis time enough to marry.
Quoth he it makes me halfe dispaire,
and troubleth much my minde,
That one so comely and so faire,
would e're proue so vnkinde:
Therefore swéet heart tell me the cause,
that thou so much dost vary,
From all the mindes of Women kinde.
as to refuse to marry.
The second part.
To the same tune.
Didst thou but know the swéet delights,
that Marriage doth affoord:
And how faire Ladyes, Lords and Knights
in marriage bed accord:
Thou wouldst not fondly make reply,
th'art young enough to tarry,
But be content and give consent,
without delay to marry.
He that sayes Loue is vanity,
shall ne're perswade me to it,
Nor yet deny a curtesie,
if any one will doe it:
For I have made a Vow quoth shée,
and sworne by great King Harry,
That till I have, the thing I crave,
I will not yéeld to marry.
It I had knowne the cause quoth hée,
why thou didst make denyall,
I quickly would have preferred thée,
a swéet contenting tryall:
Which would have made thée soone consent
though thou wert ne're so wary,
And never more, say as before,
Ile never yéeld to marry.
Then vse your wit the Mayde reply'd,
for now you know the cause,
A Maydens no, proves often I,
to yéeld to Hymens lawes:
If you prove kinde, the Mayden said,
consent and doe not tarry,
And then I soone, will change this tune,
and quickly yéeld to marry.
With that the Youngman bad her, both
kéepe secret, and prove kinde,
And he would verifie her Oath,
and satisfie her minde:
Quoth shée I shall be satisfied,
if that thou dost not vary,
But yet in troth, I am very loath,
to give my grant to marry.
With that they both concluded were,
but wote you how she sped,
By consequence it did appeare,
that it her liking bred:
For when her Oath was verified,
that she swore by King Harry,
She never stayde but quickly said,
swéet heart now let vs marry.
This Youngmans love, was quickly colde
that héere betwixt them past,
Quoth hée I will not be too bolde,
least I repent at last:
For he that weds too hastily,
had néed for to be wary,
Least he repent he gave consent,
without aduice to marry.
Faire Maydens all take good aduice,
before you give consent,
Vnto your Loves in any wise,
these follyes to prevent:
For shée that to performe her Vow,
so long a time did tarry,
Was brought to shame and much defame,
before that she did marry.
FINIS.
Imprinted at London for H.G.