The Hasty Damosel

Mother, pray when shall I marry,
and receive a womans due?
Do you think that I will tarry
while I am as old as you?
Men and Maidens then will flout me,
but I now have sweethearts store,
Harry, Will and Tom's about me;
nay, besides a dozen more.

This did cause her Mothers laughter,
then immediately she said,
Sure you an't so hasty Daughter,
who lives better than a Maid?
This discourse, said she, don't please me,
there is Robin, Ralph and Will,
Kiss and court, and daily tease me,
thus they do torment me still.

Three or four each day comes to me,
then they seldom do agree;
They so eager are to wooe me,
that I fear they'l fight for me:
But if things were rightly carry'd,
I should lead a happy life;
That is, if I once were marry'd
this would straitway end the strife.

Likewise for another Reason
I indeed would fain be wed;
In the cold in winter season
I shall lye full warm in bed.
Then bespoke her loving mother,
which of these pray will you have?
Will, said she, above all other,
he's a man both neat and brave.

Never was a finer Saylor;
e'ery one will speak his praise;
True, I might have had a Taylor,
but I did not like his ways;
He show'd me a deal of Cabbage
which he pinch'd the week before;
But I slav'd him, and out-brav'd him,
so that he came there no more.

After him, a Miller, Mother,
came and did in love proceed,
But as I had serv'd the tother,
so I served him indeed:
Neither Miller, no nor Taylor,
ever shall my love obtain;
But a noble-hearted Saylor,
who hath plough'd the Ocean main.

He hath sail'd to forreign Nations,
in the Straits, to France and Spain;
I of him give this Relation,
when as he return'd again,
Gold and Silver he had plenty,
with Apparel neat and trim,
Might I have the choice of twenty,
i'd forsake them all for him.

He is of a comely carriage,
like him there is hardly one;
If I ever joyn in marriage,
it shall be with him alone:
I will never be unruly,
but in true Obedience stand;
Pray now mother tell me truly,
is he not a pretty man?

Yes, I like him, therefore Daughter,
may you both full happy be;
Marry now, or else hereafter,
it shall be all one to me.
She no sooner had consented,
that she should be made a Bride,
But the Tears of joy was vented,
with a thousand thanks beside.