The Ploughman's Love and Loyalty;
OR,
The downright Wooing betwixt honest Harry, and his belo-
ved Joan: Two WEST-Country Lovers.
To the Tune of Ile often for my Jenny strove Licensed according to Order.
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SWeet Joan my joy and hearts delight,
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I have not seen thy pretty face
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Ne'er since our Mirth last Lammas-night;
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oh let me freely now embrace,
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Thee my joy and only jewel,
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for I'm over ears in love;
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And don't deny me, sit down by me,
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Who will ever loyal prove.
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I prithee Harry let me go,
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it is not safe with you to stay;
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For young-men they are false I know,
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and study Damosels to betray;
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Then they glory in our Ruine,
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crying up their Liberty;
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Thus do they leave us, and deceive us,
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but no Man shall ruine me.
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Uds-duggers Joan, I'll love thee more,
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than any lad in Devonshire,
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These pritty Eyes, I do adore;
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and dos thou think I'll wrong my dear;
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No, I never will deceive thee,
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here's my hand believe me Joan,
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Thy honest Harry, vows to Marry
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no young Lass but thee alone.
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Young Joan immediately reply'd,
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you may be loyal, just, and true;
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Yet should I grant to be your Bride,
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what have you then to bring me too?
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Marriage state, brings care and crosses,
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when they have not of their own,
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For they that borrow, meet with sorrow;
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this to all the World is known.
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Love I have neither house, nor lands,
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nor have I heaps, and bags of gold;
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Yet by the labour of my hands,
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in Sunnner hot, and Winter cold
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I will use my best endeavour,
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Joan my Jewel to maintain;
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And love thee ever, thou shalt never
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have just reason to complain.
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Alas! quoth Joan, I'm loath to Wed,
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oh, let us stay a while my Dear;
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Times being hard, and Trading dead,
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besides the Winter's drawing near;
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Then comes fire, soap, and candle,
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nay, and House-rent must be paid,
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A Son, or Daughter, comes soon after;
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therefore let me live a Maid.
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Let no such Thoughts distract thy mind,
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for as I am an honest Man;
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To thee I will be ever kind,
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and likewise take what care I can
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To provide for thee my Jewel,
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and the Wolf keep from the door;
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While we this blessing, are possessing,
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what can we desire more.
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Here is a Ring of Gold I give
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this day, my dearest Joan to thee,
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Ne'er doubt but we may happy live,
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tho' by our true Industry
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Since we are not born to Riches,
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we must use Industry
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Our nearest Neighbour, lives by Labour,
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so sweet Joan must thee and I.
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With that she gave him heart, and hand
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and said, since thou dost Loyal prove,
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No longer we'll disputing stand,
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this very day I'll grant thee love,
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And to morrow we will marry,
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making now no more delay,
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Well yok'd together, we may ever
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hope to live as well as they.
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