The West-Country Lawyer OR, The Witty Maid's Good Fortune;
Who wisely maintain'd her Virginity against the Golden Assaults of the Lawyer, who at length Married her to her hearts Content.
To the Tune of the Baffled Knight,
A Youthful Lawyer fine and gay
was Riding unto the City,
Who met a Damsel on the way,
right beautiful, fair and witty.
Good morrow then the Lawyer cry'd
I prethée where art thou going,
Quoth she, to yonder Meadows side,
my father is there a Mowing.
Straight from his Horse he did alight
and as he was going to her,
The Maid immediately took flight,
for fear he would undo her,
But he run like a Nimble Déer,
until he did overtake her;
And then he'd whisper'd in her Ear,
a Lady he surely make her,
If he might but enjoy the Bliss,
a min [...]uit or two of Pleasure;
Then as a Pledge I'll give thée this,
a handful of Golden Treasure.
Said she, I value not your Gold.
and therefore I pray be civil,
My Maidens-head shall ne'er be Sold
for Moneys the root of all evil.
I'd sooner be a Ploughs-mans Bride,
and sit at my Whéel a Spinning:
Than be a Lawyer's Ilt. she cry'd,
to live by the Trade of Sinning.
Tush, said the Lawyer be not coy,
let's fall to our Loves Embraces
A Silken Gown thou shalt enjoy,
with Bracelets, Rings and Laces,
your Silken Gown I do disdain,
although I have mean Relation,
I am resolved to maintain
my Innocent Reputation.
If thou wilt but to London go
I'll honour the like a Lady,
But still the damsel answer'd no
I am happy enough already.
You talk of Glory State and Fame,
and how I shall be attended;
But Sir I am not for your Game,
so let the Discourse be ended.
Pray save your Breath and Money too,
I like not your way of Wooing
There is too many suc [...] [...]s you
that brings the young Maids to Ruin.
I'll kéep my pure Virginity,
till Marraige is my Pleasure:
For Sir said she it is more to me
Then Millions of Gold and Treasure
He found her so discréet and wise,
in every ready Answer,
That he her Charms did highly prize.
and vow'd he would soon advance her,
Vnto her Parents he did go,
where he did their Love require:
Then was she cloath'd from top to Toe,
in costly Rich Attire.
Next day the Gordian Knot was ty'd,
and many was at the Marriage:
Then she appear'd an Angel bright,
for Beauty and comely Carriage.
you Lasses all I pray you mind,
to whom I have told this Story,
Be careful that you a'not too kind,
for fear you should blast your Glory,
Had she béen soon to Folly lead,
and for a small Spell Consented,
She might have lost her Maidens-head,
and when it was gon Lamented.
But now she is a Lawyers Wife,
her Husband do's dearly Love her,
So that she leads a happy Life,
ther's few in the Town above her.
FINIS.