The Country-mans Care in Choosing a Wife

I Am a brisk Youngster,
and fain would be Wed;
And have a good Wife
for to please me in Bed;
But I fear that in chusing,
they should me beguile:

Then i'le have one I love,
though I live the less while.

I'le not have a Girl that
is bred at the Court;
For fear she be given
to wanton and sport;
On every Gallant
she's apt for to smile;

Then i'le have, &c.

A Citizens Daughter
I dare not to take:
The steps of her Mother
she'l never forsake:
She'l make me look out,
you may sée them a mile:

Then i'le have, &c.

No maker of Buttons,
nor yet of Bone-lace;
Shall e're be my love,
though I dye on the place;
Although they do mince it,
and simper and smile;

Yet i'le have one I love,
though I live the less while,

My Hostesses Daughter,
she must be deny'd;
Because that I fear
she hath often béen try'd;
Be sure she would fit me
at Hedge, or at Stile,

But i'le have one I love,
though I live the less while,

She that hath much Suitors,
and's loath to be won;
And many a Young-man
she perhaps hath undone.
It is not her cunning
that shall me beguile:

For i'le have, &c.

A Wench that's imperious,
and strives for to rule;
If that I should take her,
you'd count me a Fool:
She wou'd make my Noddle
as sore as a Bile;

But i'le have, &c.

And she that is proud,
and hath nought to begin;
I would not for such a one
give a Sléeves Pin;
As soon as a better,
my Bed she'l defile;

Then i'le have, &c.

I'le not have a Cook-Maid,
for she is too black;
And when she doth sweat,
her Smock sticks to her Back
She'l scold, and she'l brawl,
you may hear her a mile:

But i'le have, &c.

The Lass that is fair,
to be sure she is proud;
And she that is little,
you know she is loud;
Against a good Husband,
they'r apt to revile;

Then i'le have, &c.

But now for to tell you
the depth of my mind;
A Rich Farmers Daughter,
I have in the Wind;
For her I will Ride,
if it be forty mile;

And i'le have, &c.

'Tis she is my Berry,
my Dear and delight;
Who hath my affection,
by day and by night:
To her I will go,
and i'le make her to smile;

For i'le have my own Love,
though I live the less while.