Our country-swains in the morris dance
Thus woo and win their brides,
Will for our town the hobby horse
At pleasure frolic rides:
I woo with tears and ne'er the near,
I die in grief and live in fear.
From GILES FARNABY's _Canzonets_, 1598.
Pierce did love fair Petronel
Because she sang and danced well
And gallantly could prank it;
He pulled her and he haul'd her
And oftentimes he call'd her
Primrose pearls prick'd in a blanket.
From FRANCIS PILKINGTON's _First Set of Madrigals and Pastorals_, 1613.
Pour forth, mine eyes, the fountains of your tears;
Break, heart, and die, for now no hope appears;
Hope, upon which before my thoughts were fed,
Hath left me quite forlorn and from me fled.
Yet, see, she smiles! O see, some hope appears!
Hold, heart, and live; mine eyes, cease off your tears.
From _Airs sung and played at Brougham Castle_, 1618, by GEORGE MASON
and JOHN EARSDEN.
Robin is a lovely lad,
No lass a smoother ever had;
Tommy hath a look as bright
As is the rosy morning light;
Tib is dark and brown of hue,
But like her colour firm and true;
Jenny hath a lip to kiss
Wherein a spring of nectar is;
Simkin well his mirth can place
And words to win a woman's grace;
Sib is all in all to me,
There is no Queen of Love but she.
From THOMAS RAVENSCROFT's _Brief Discourse_, 1614.