The praise of our Country Barly-Brake: OR,
Cupids advisement for Young-men to take
Vp this loving old sport, called Barly-Brake.
To the tune of, when this Old Cap was new.
BOth yong men Maids and Lads,
of what state or degrée,
Whether southeast or west,
or of the North Country
I wish you all good health,
that in this Summers weather,
Your swéet-hearts and your selves,
play at Barly-Brake together.
As it a custome was,
so let it flourish still,
Flora againe hath deckt
your much frequented hill,
And Phebus two divides
what Boreas pacts together,
That he with furious chides,
doth not ore cast the weather.
Then sith the cause so stands,
that all these thinke it good,
To put their helping hands,
let nothing be withstood,
Fulfill the proverbe old,
your lovers in faire weather.
As well as to make hay,
play Barley Brake together.
If thy love give the stroake,
be sure have an eye
Before hand it is spoke,
then follow presently,
And if thou dost him catch,
then pray for more faire weather,
That you may play a match
at Barley Brake together.
Then William loved Nan,
and that with such good will,
That they of Loue must scan,
vpon yon gréeny hill,
Their talke is not of wealth,
but how they may perseuer,
In that same loue was showne,
at Barley-Brake together.
Then Thomas loued Nell,
although her friends were poore,
Her vertue did excell,
she néeded then no more,
I, Nicholas then would smile,
and Phillip pleased was euer,
when they could play a while,
at Barly Brake together.
Nay Simon Franke and Steuen,
with Sisly Doll and Mary
Néed not to this bée driuen,
Nor Kate that kéepes the Dary,
For with a forward mind,
not fearing wind nor weather,
She knowes young men are kind,
at Barly-Brake together.
Then Harry would bestow,
wine, béere and Cakes on Bridget,
But now tis nothing so:
his Father doth forbid it,
If wealthy Maids be slack,
there's few that dare shew fauour,
Their Fathers kéep them back,
no, no, you shall not have her.
The second part.
To the same Tune.
ANd that was Cupids time,
wherin he got much praise,
For none did Vsher then,
in his Schoole in those dayes,
Now lust his Vshers hand,
and pride beares such a sway,
That all his shafts are burn'd,
that were so swéet and gay.
When as this mirth was vsed,
of which I now doe write,
Loue was not so abused
nor in so bad a plight,
As he is now adayes,
for though he be no foole
Amongst his Schollers now,
he is hist out of his Schoole.
But chéere vp pretty Maids,
for now Ile leaue the City,
And bring your Country blads,
vnto their former pitty,
And if they euer did loue,
so shall they now perseuer,
And you shall play like Doues
at Barly-Brake together.
It is a liuely sport
to set how nimblely;
Yon néed no great report,
the same to testifie,
To sée with sweet imbrace,
each Lad his Lasse doth clip,
And laying face to face,
doth taste each others lip.
Thus are are our Country youth,
both merry too and ioyall,
If they set loue tis truth,
they hate to be disloyall
And therefore in their praise,
my pen shall write for euer,
Because they loue doe raise,
at Barly-Brake together.
And many Pastimes more,
which long hath béene neglected,
Againe to you is restored,
then let it be respected,
And as in tunes before,
so doe you now perseuer,
Then will you euer love sore
at Barly-Brake together.
Therefore you Country Maids,
that are to London gone,
Let me with faire perswades,
intreat you to come home,
If you your Loue will méet,
make haste and hie you hether,
That he and you may gréet,
at Barly-Brake together.
Then thinke not you amisse,
of this my good aduise,
Nor for to take a kisse,
I pray you be not nice;
Tis Cupid doth direct
you how you may perseuer,
Let that be no neglect,
at Barly-Brake together.
Then will old customes come,
vnto their former vse,
And Loue be made amends,
for this his great abuse,
That he hath long sustain'd,
in Country, Towne and City,
And lust shall be arraign'd,
and none shall plead for pity.
Because hée hath defil'd,
what Loue hath oft vnited,
And so unloos'd the knot,
that Cupid so delighted,
To sée in euery breast,
within this Summers weather,
True Louers neuer ablest,
but when they play together.
FINIS.
Printed at London for H. Gosson.