The Gallant she Souldier?
OR,
A briefe Relation of a faithful hearted Woman, who for the Love that she bore to her Hus-
band, attired herselfe in mans Apparell and so became a Sould[i]er; and marcht along with
him through Ireland France, & Spaine, and never was knowne to be a Woman till at the last
she be[i]ng quartered neere unto Tower-hill in London, where she brought foorth a Gallant
Man-Child, to the wonder of al her fellow Souldiers. Other Valiant Actions; Honest
Carriage & Excelent Behaviour. You shall presently heare, (if you please.)
The Tune is, Farwell to St. Gileses.
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YOu noble minded Souldiers all
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that faithfull are and true
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This Ditty I have written
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for Love I beare to you,
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Concerning of a Woman,
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that was upright and Just,
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Honest in her actions
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and true unto her trust,
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Seeke England
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Scotland,
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and all the world about
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There's hardly such another to be found out
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Her Husband was a Souldier,
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and to the wars did goe,
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And she would be his Comrade,
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the truth of all is so,
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She put on mans apparell
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and bore him company,
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As many in the Army,
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for truth can testifie,
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Seek England, etc.
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With Musket on her shoulder,
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her part she acted than,
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And every one supposed,
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that she had been a Man,
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Her Bandeleers about her neck
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and Sword hang'd by her side,
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In many brave adventures
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her valour have been try'd
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Seeke England, etc.
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She oft have crost the Ocean,
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and travelled over the maine
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And she have been in Ireland,
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in famous France and Spaine,
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And now of late returned,
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to lovely London Towne,
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And bore her Armes most stoutly,
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with Credit and Renowne.
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Seeke England, etc.
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For exercising of her Armes,
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good skill indeed had she,
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And knowne to be as active
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as anyone could be,
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For firing of a Musket
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or beating of a Drum
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She might compare assuredly
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with anyone that come
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Seeke England, etc.
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For other manly practises,
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she gain'd the Love of all
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For Leaping, and for Running,
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or wrestling of a fall,
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For Cudgells or for Cuffing,
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if that occasion were,
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There's hardly one of ten Men
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that might with her compare,
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Seeke England
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Scotland,
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seeke all the World about
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There's hardly such a Woman to be found out
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YEt civill in her carriage,
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and modest still was she,
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But with her fellow Souldiers
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she oft would merry be,
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She would drink & take Tobacco
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and spend her money to,
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When as occasion served, that
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she had nothing else to do,
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Seeke England
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Scotland
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and all the world about
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There's hardly such another to be found out
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But now behold with wonder,
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what hapned at the last,
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After much time in merriment.
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she had in London past,
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She found by severall passages.
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herselfe to be with Child,
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'Twas by her honest Husband,
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she could not be beguil'd,
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Seeke England, etc.
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Yet secretly she kept it.
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so long as ever she could,
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Till such time a Commander,
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her Belly did behold,
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What is the reason Tom quoth he
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that You are growne so fatt.
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'Tis strong Beere and Tobacco Sir,
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which is the cause of that,
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Seeke England, etc,
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But when her painefull houre was come,
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that she must delivered be,
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The Women flockt about her,
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her grievances to see,
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Her Breeches then were pulled off,
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and there began the wonder,
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For in a short time after,
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she was fallen quite in sunder,
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Seeke England, etc.
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The sixteenth day of July
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as true reports do say,
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The Souldier was delivered
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of a lusty chopping Boy,
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The People that heares of this newes,
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each day do flock and run,
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To see the Woman Souldier and,
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her little pretty Son
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Seeke England, etc.
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Some gives her Beds and Blankets,
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her Baby for to Nurse
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Some gives her wholesome dyet,
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and money in her purse,
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All them that comes to see her,
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their bounty doth bestow,
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Indeed it is but fitting
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That they should all doe so,
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Seeke England, etc.
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To draw to a conclusion.
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I wish in heart and mind,
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That Women to their Husbands,
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were every one so kind,
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As she was to her sweet-heart
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her Love to him was so,
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That she forsooke all others,
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along with him to goe
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Seeke England, etc.
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Whereby we may perceive and see
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and very well approve,
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There's nothing in the World can be
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compar'd to faithfull Love,
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The Hammer wil breake Marble,
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and Hunger breake stone-walls
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But Love is Sole Commander,
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and Conquerer of all.
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Seeke England
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Scotland
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and all the world about
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There's hardly such another to be found out.
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