%ISOlat1; %ISOlat2; %ISOnum; %ISOpub; ]> Two strings to a Bow; or, The cunning Archer, / Being A pleasant new ditty of a Souldier, that had two Lasses at one time / That dearly loved him, and how he requited their kindness / This lusty Souldier having been / Ten years in Scotland, and near seen / A London Lass, resolv'd to try, / How much they priz'd Virginity. / He laies close siege to two, and stormes / There Forts, but yet to marry scorns. University of California - Santa Barbara The Early Modern Center Director Patricia Fumerton 1656-1656 Early Modern Center, University of California Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA 04/27/2011 30972

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Patricia Fumerton Early Modern Center - English Department University of California Santa Barbara, CA 93105 United States of America EMail: pfumer@english.ucsb.edu

R216197 3 an excellent Scotish tune UNKNOWN An Excellent Scottish Tune Gilderoy UNKNOWN Gilderoy the same Tune UNKNOWN Good lads and lasses all, / in what I shall report, Having thus put his first lasse off, / the second comes in play. Roxburghe Ballads Editor None None None None Information in this section of the Source Description refers to the original ballad manuscript. 3: 262 3: 263 Two strings to a Bow; or, The cunning Archer, / Being A pleasant new ditty of a Souldier, that had two Lasses at one time / That dearly loved him, and how he requited their kindness / This lusty Souldier having been / Ten years in Scotland, and near seen / A London Lass, resolv'd to try, / How much they priz'd Virginity. / He laies close siege to two, and stormes / There Forts, but yet to marry scorns. Two strings to a Bow; or, The cunning Archer, Being A pleasant new ditty of a Souldier, that had two Lasses at one time That dearly loved him, and how he requited their kindness This lusty Souldier having been Ten years in Scotland, and near seen A London Lass, resolv’d to try, How much they priz[‘]d Virginity. He laies close siege to two, and stormes There Forts, but yet to marry scorns. Two strings to a Bow; or, The cunning Archer, Being A pleasant new ditty of a Soldier, that had two Lasses at one time that dearly loved him, and how he requited their kindness, this lusty Soldier having been Ten years in Scotland, and never seen a London Lass, resolved to try, How much they prized Virginity. He lays close siege to two, and storms there Forts, but yet to marry scorns. 1656-1656 Charles Tyus

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 Early Modern Center Ballad Project Keyword Taxonomy advice affliction/ health alcohol animals/ nature Bible/ biblical figures buildings/ architecture catastrophe children class clothing/ appearance country/ nation crime death economics/ commerce entertainments family folklore gender holidays/ seasons infidelity labor/ craft law London love maritime marriage military/ war monstrosity mythology/ Classical news nobility/ court politics/ government procreation punishment race/ ethnicity religious concepts religious figures religious types & sects royalty rural life servitude sex/ sexuality supernatural/ magic The New World travel trickery/ deceit urban life vice violence virtue vulgarities/ crass humor youth/ age Library of Congress Subject Heading Taxonomy 4/27/2011 Santa Barbara, California, United States of America London love military/ war sex/ sexuality trickery/ deceit Ballads, English 17th century Broadsides, England 17th century 4/27/2011 12:28:38 PM XBallad Mellon, Gillian Created XML Version of Ballad 4/27/2011 12:28:38 PM Transcription Supervisor McAbee, Kristina, Nebeker, Eric Transcription of ballad manuscript 4/27/2011 12:28:38 PM Double-Key Comparison and Merging Becker, Charlotte Transcription of ballad manuscript 4/27/2011 12:28:38 PM Transcriptionist Two Meyer, Shannon Transcription of ballad manuscript 4/27/2011 12:28:38 PM Transcriptionist One Zusky, Catherine Transcription of ballad manuscript 4/4/2011 Checker Shannon Meyer Edited Ballad Catalogue Record 2/12/2009 Checker Shannon Meyer Edited Ballad Catalogue Record 11/19/2010 Checker Grafals Michael Edited Ballad Catalogue Record 11/19/2010 Checker Grafals Michael Edited Ballad Catalogue Record 1/13/2009 Bibliographer Meghan Fadel Initial Ballad Catalogue Record Created
<seg n="1" rend="left"><hi rend="italic">Two strings to a Bow; or, The cunning Archer,</hi></seg> <seg n="2" rend="left"><hi rend="italic">Being A pleasant new ditty of a Souldier, that had two Lasses at one time</hi></seg> <seg n="3" rend="left"><hi rend="italic">That dearly loved him, and how he requited their kindness</hi></seg> <lb/> <seg n="4" rend="left"><hi rend="italic">This lusty Souldier having been</hi></seg> <seg n="5" rend="left"><hi rend="italic">Ten years in Scotland, and near seen</hi></seg> <seg n="6" rend="left"><hi rend="italic">A London Lass, resolvd to try,</hi></seg> <seg n="7" rend="left"><hi rend="italic">How much they priz[']d Virginity.</hi></seg> <seg n="8" rend="left"><hi rend="italic">He laies close siege to two, and stormes</hi></seg> <seg n="9" rend="left"><hi rend="italic">There Forts, but yet to marry scorns.</hi></seg> <lb/> <seg n="10" rend="left"><hi rend="italic">To an excellent Scotish Tune, calld Gilderoy.</hi></seg>
GIv[e] ear you lads and lasses all, to what I shall report, Of Maidens twain that loved dear, a Souldier their consort. A bonny La[d] and blith was he, and seemd to love them both. But when they u[r]gd; to tie the knot, to marry he was loth. Full many years this Souldier brave in Scotland, bore his Arms. Under our Noble Generall, still free from Cupids Charms. But London Lasses, thought to win, and tempt him with their smiles. Which sub[t]ly he a while receives at last them both beguiles. The first was Mal. a bouncing Lass, to whom he courteous was. And lovingly did kiss and Court, but mark what came to pass. When he had gaind her tender heart, And Cupid had her shot, He scornfully disdains her thoughts, and swears he loves her not.
Then she her service leaves in hast, a private life to live. Because that to her Master she, was loth offence to give, And that he might with freedome come, to vistt this his dear, On whom she spent her money free, in Ale, and in good Cheer, Thus she continued a while, and he came ofr unto her. whose sight did please her wondrous well the Souldier sure did do her. But when her stock grew low and poor his love it waxed cold. There was no chain could hold him fast, but onely that of Gold. When thus she saw she slighted was, and could not catch the Game. With heavy moan she did repine and her hard fortune blame. Whilst he with jovial lists did sing, and did contrive it so. That he had got another Lass, and two strings to his Bow.
<seg n="1" rend="left"><hi rend="italic">The second Part, to the same Tune</hi></seg>
HAving thus put his first lasse off, the second comes in play. The which was pretty Dorothy: who was both fine and gay. To whom he doth express his love, with amorous Glances many: And swears that she shall be his wife if ever he have any; This did so pierce her tender heart with joy and great delight. That she her service profferd him, by day and eke by night: Which he most kindly doth accept, and void of dread or fear. He gets her in his Chamber close, one night, as you shall hear. In sober guise the Souldier goes: one night unto his bed. Where she must come in all the hast, to lose her Maiden-head. The people being all at rest, and every one asleep. The lasse goes to his Chamber straight, and to his bed does creep. He that in bloody Battels fought, and lay in Frost and cold, Enduring hardships plentifull, against his foes so bold. Can now ons bed surprize a Fort, which no man ere did enter The Lady and the Owner gives, it him for his adventure.
Her Master and her Mistrisse both, about the break of day. Awaking, called for their Maid, but she no word did say, She was in bed with her delight, and sporting with her dear. Not thinking that her Master calld; love would not let her hear. Then up her Master gets in hast, to find the poor lost sheep. And folded in the Souldiers Armes, he finds his Maid asleep. Then with one blow, upon her cheek he wakes her from her dear, And kicks the lassee out of doors. No Whores (quoth he) live here. When this black chance was once found out, the lasse she fain would marry. The Souldier he refuses quit, tells her he must be wary; But she perplext, doth urge him still, and begs the same with Tears. Quoth he, I am not in your debt, I paid you your arrears. Take heed you loving lasses. be warnd by my report. Trust not a lusty Souldier, for heel soon take your Fort, And then you must turn chamber maids alas my chance is so. The Souldier he will shoot no more, has broke two strings tos bow
Finis. London Printed, for Charls Tyu., on London-bridge