The Dorset-shire Lovers:
OR, THE
Honest innocent Wooing between John the Farmer and
his Sweet-heart Joan, as they happen'd to meet one Morning
in the midst of a green Meadow.
To the Tune of, The Scotch H[a]y-makers.
Licens'd according to Order.
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PAssing through a Meadow, young John did Joany meet,
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Like the youthful Queen of May in her Summer's Robes compleat,
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With a Congue to the ground, he reply'd, Since I have found
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So fit a season, 'tis but reason our Comforts should be crown'd,
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Long I have lov'd thee I must confess.
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But ne'r could find a time, Love, my kindness to express,
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For sure it is well known, my Heart is thine alone,
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I'll never, never, sever, sever from my loving Joan.
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John I fear you flatter as many more has done,
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For young Batchelors we see after many Damsels run,
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I by true experience find, that they waver with the Wind,
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New change of Faces and Embraces pleases best their Mind,
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Therefore I pray you now let me go;
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But Johnny he reply'd, I will never serve thee so,
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For sure it is well known, my Heart is thine alone,
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I'll never, never, sever, sever from my loving Joan.
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Love thou shalt be Marry'd, and be a vertuous Bride,
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And I'll give thee Gloves and Rings with twenty things beside,
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For the pleasures of the night, shall my dearest Love delight,
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Then sit down by me, don't deny me, for thy Beauty bright
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I do admire and ever shall,
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Till now I ne'r beheld one so proper, straight and tall,
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Since we are here al[o]ne, the truth I will make known,
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I'll never, never, sever, sever from my loving Joan.
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If you will believe me, in troth, I am too young,
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Therefore tempt me now no more with your deluding Tongue;
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O your kissing, John, forbear, least you draw me in a snare,
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Your talk of Weding and of Beding makes me blush, I swear,
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What if my Mother should chance to know,
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That in the silent Mead I was kiss'd and courted so?
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Quoth Johnny, It is all one, to her I'd make it known,
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I'll never, never, sever, sever from my loving Joan.
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John, why will you Marry now while the Times are hard,
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Should we be poor and needy, pray, whom will us regard?
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We must think upon that state, now before it is too late,
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For should we Marry, and Miscarry, then will our Grief be great,
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Therefore I'd have you yet longer stay;
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But Johnny he reply'd, He wou'd Wed without delay,
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Quoth he, It is well known, my Heart is thine alone,
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I'll never, never, sever, sever from my loving Joan.
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Never fear to venture, or in the least be sad,
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For my Gransir dy'd of late and left me all he had,
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There's a Farm, which now I keep, with a herd and flock of Sheep,
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With other Treasure out of measure, thou shalt Comforts reap,
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For I'll maintain thee gallant and gay,
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Therefore, my Dearest, now let's appoint our Wedding-day,
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To joyn our Hearts in one, for thou art mine alone,
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I'll never, never, sever, sever from my loving Joan.
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Thou shalt mind the Dairy, and I the happy Farm,
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I will keep thee Men and Maids, I hope that is no harm,
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Thou shalt feed on roast and bo[i]l'd, and I'll get my Dear with Child,
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Which will be Pleasure out of measure. Joan at this she smil'd,
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For she delighted in living well,
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Therefore, said she, Sweet John, now the naked truth to tell,
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If you'll be mine alone, and joyn our Hearts in one,
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I'll never, never, sever, sever, but be thy sweet Joan.
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There is none I honour above my true Love John,
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On my Conscience, thou wilt prove a right honest Man;
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We'll be Marry'd, let me see, about Thursday next, that we
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Without delaying, foolish staying never pleases me,
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Now I admire the charming Bliss;
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Then Johnny he reply'd, with a tender loving kiss,
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thee I love alone, our Hearts we'll joyn in one,
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And never, never, sever, sever from my loving Joan.
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