The loving Lad, and the Coy Lass. Being a pleasant and witty Discourse between a young Man and a Maid. To a pleasant New Tune.
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Man.
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ALl haile thou bright and bonny Lass,
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my joy and onely sweeting,
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Good Fortune now hath brought to passe,
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that we should have a meeting.
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That so I might behold thy face
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and speak my mind unto thee,
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And since here is a fitting place,
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I do intend to wooe thee.
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For I long time have lov'd the well,
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but yet I ne,re did show it,
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Because indeed the truth to tell,
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I durst not let thee know it.
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For fear thou shouldst my love disdain,
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and so in coyness shun me,
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And not my person entertain,
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which would have quite undone me.
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But now I have more courage gain'd
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and am resolvd to try thee,
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For my affection is unfeign'd
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how canst thou then deny me.
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Maid
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I prethee Will be soft and sweet,
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methinks you are too hasty,
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O talk no more of wooing yet
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for fear your Master baste ye.
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You are as yet a Prentice Will.
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then leave such fond adventures,
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And think not of a wife untill,
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y'ave serv'd out your indentures.
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For why I think there's no time lost,
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but you may longer tarry
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Your age is twenty years at most,
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a litle to young to marry.
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Then take my councel if you please,
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and rest a while contented,
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Forbear such rash attempts as these,
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which oft times are repented,
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Man.
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Indeed I wish I able were,
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to follow your direction,
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But little dost thou know my Dear,
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the strength of my affection[.]
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The Second part, to the same Tune.
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FOr where true love the heart doh sway
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in any Loyal Lover
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He cannot brook one weeks delay,
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but must his mind discover.
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Love burns so hot within my breast
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that if I should conceal it,
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Besure 'twould never let me rest,
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untill I did reveal it,
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Therefore sweet loving Mistresse Jane,
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consider my condition,
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My heart with love is almost slain,
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O! prove a kind Physitian.
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Maid.
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Fye, fye, thou art a flattering youth,
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I do not like thy carriage,
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Leave off such toys in good truth,
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they will thee quite disparage.
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Think it not strange that I am coy,
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or that I have deny'd thee.
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I never will affect a Boy,
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what ever doth betide me,
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Herein I do thee not disgrace,
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but speak as doth behove me
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For thou never hadst a Manlike face,
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therefore I cannot love thee.
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Man.
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Oh my Dear that's a killing word,
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I prethee henceforth forbear it,
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And let thy sweet lips some comfort afford
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speak kindly that I may hear it.
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I prize thee more than Gold or Pearl,
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thou art my onely Jewel,
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Then prethee do not frown my Girle,
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why shouldst thou be so cruel.
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If thou continuest to deny,
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and thus in scorn to slight me,
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Then surely I for love must dye,
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Oh! do not so requite me.
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But if thoul't grant me love at last,
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and yield thy self unto me,
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My grief and sorrows which are past,
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no harme at all can do me.
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For in thy love I shall rejoyce
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even as it will behove me,
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And thou shalt find (my onely choice)
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how dearly I do love thee.
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Maid
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If that indeed your words be true,
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and you do so affect me,
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Grant this request and that will shew,
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how much you do respect me,
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Live for my sake a single life,
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untill seven years be ended,
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And then for to become your wife,
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I fully am intended.
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But if the same you do refuse,
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great cause I have to suspect you,
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Another mate you may go chuse,
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for I will never affect you.
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Man
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My Dear that is a difficult task,
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and yet I tell the truly,
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Since thou art pleas,d the same to ask
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I will perform it duely,
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Full seven years space for thy sweet sake
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a Batchelor I'le tarry,
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And eke all other Maids forsake
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with my True-love to marry.
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Now give me leave to kisse thy hand,
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Maid
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my leave is quickly gained,
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Man.
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The sweetest Damosel in the Land,
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at last I have obtained.
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FINIS.
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