THE CAVALIER’S FAREWELL TO HIS MISTRESS, BEING CALLED TO THE WARRS.

The following song was extracted from the MS. Diary of the Rev. John

Adamson (afterwards Rector of Burton Coggles, Lincolnshire), commencing

in 1658; by a correspondent of Notes and Queries, First Series, Jan. 18,

1851.

FAIR Fidelia, tempt no more,

I may no more thy deity adore

Nor offer to thy shrine,

I serve one more divine

And farr more great than you:

I must goe,

Lest the foe

Gaine the cause and win the day.

Let’s march bravely on,

Charge ym in the van,

Our cause God’s is,

Though their odds is

Ten to one.

Tempt no more, I may not yeeld

Altho’ thine eyes

A kingdome may surprize:

Leave off thy wanton toiles,

The high-borne Prince of Wales

Is mounted in the field,

Where the royall gentry flocke.

Though alone

Nobly borne

Of a ne’re decaying stocke.

Cavaliers, be bold,

Bravely keep your hold,

He that loyters

Is by traytors

Bought and sold.

One kisse more, and then farewell;

Oh no, no more,

I prithee give me o’er,—

Why cloudest thou thy beames?

I see by these extreames

A woman’s heaven or hell.

Pray the King may have his owne,

And the Queen

May be seen

With her babes on England’s throne.

Rally up your men,

One shall vanquish ten,

Victory, we

Come to try thee

Once agen.

The Cavalier Songs and Ballads of England from 1642 to 1684 · 第 56 / 125 题