The London Lasses Folly, or, the Maiden Beguil'd

Not long ago it chanced so,
abroad as I was walking
A Damsel fair I soon espy'd,
and to her self was talking:
Ah! woe is me, poor wretch quoth she,
that had not forecast rather.
For now I am grown big with Bearn,
but I do not know the Father.

One night when I lay in my Bed,
to sleep as it was needful,
And having but a careless head,
and being much unheedful
A young-man came, but not his name
by him I could not gather,
That night i'me sure I prov'd with bearn
but I do not know the Father

He made no stay, but whipt away,
when he had had his pleasure,
O that nights work hath me undone,
I may repent at leisure;
Now will I ramble up and down,
to find out this young shaver,
For if he live in London-town,
my Child shall have a Father.

I think no Carpenter was he,
no Shipwright, nor no Saylor,
I rather think it for to be
some lusty jovial Taylor:
Or if he were a Glover good,
a Black-Smith, or a Weaver,
My meaning may be understood,
my Child should have a Father.

Or if he were a Butcher bold,
a Baker, or a Brewer,
No secret place my friend shall hold
but I will find him sure
Or if he were a Serving-man,
a Royster, or a Shaver.
I'le find my Gallant if I can,
my Child must have a Father.

But if I can by no means find
the Man that I adorn Sir,
I'le rest my self content in mind,
until my Child is born Sir;
And when he comes to 7 years old,
I by my Child shall gather,
For he will be of qualities
like unto his right Father.

For if a Fleming got my Child,
he will eat all the Butter
Or if he be a Spaniard wild,
he'll keep a deadly clutter:
Of if he be an Irish Teague,
my Child will ride the Hobby,
Or if he be a Welsh-man like,
Cotts-Plues he loves Cows-Bobby.

Or if he be a Scotch-mans Son,
he will begin a Quarrel,
Or if he be of French-mans Bone,
he'l pawn his best aparrel:
Or if he be a Souldiers Son,
I'le buy him a Hat and Feather,
And with a Drum i'le send my Son
to seek out his right Father.

When she had finish'd all her talk,
from thence she soon departed,
And then another way did walk,
both blith and merry hearted;
But then I cannot now surmise,
or any way can gather,
Or which way then she could, deuise
to find out her Childs-Father.