The Maid's Complaint for want of a Dil
Doul
Text: Bagford Collection, Pepys Collection. Tune
used here: one of many versions of
Packington's
Pound, said to be the most popular tune used
for broadside ballads before 1700.
This Girl long time had in a sickness been,
Which many maids do call the sickness green:
I wish she may some comfort find, poor Soul,
And have her belly fill'd with a Dil doul.
Young men give ear to me a while,
If you to merriment are inclin'd,
I'le tell you a story shall make you to smile,
Of late done by a woman kind:
And as she went musing all alone,
I heard her to sigh, to sob and make moan,
For a dil doul, a dil doul, dil doul doul,
(quoth she) I'm undone if I ha 'n 't a dil doul
For I am a Maid and a very good Maid,
And sixteen years of age am I,
And fain would I part with my Maiden-head,
If any good follow would with me lye:
But none to me ever yet proffer'd such love,
As to lye by my side, and give me a shove
With his dil doul, a dil doul. dil doul, doul
O happy were I, &c
At night when I do go to bed,
Thinking for to take my rent,
Strange fancies come into my head,
I pray for that which I love best:
For it is a comfort, and pleasure doth bring
To women that hath ouch a pritty fine thing,
Call 'd a dil doul, a dil doul. dil doul, doul
Then happy were I, &c
Last week I walked in the Strand,
I met with my Sister, a handsome Lass,
I kindly took her by the hued,
This question of her I did ask;
Whether she kept still a Maiden alone,
Or whether her maiden-head was fled or gone,
For a dil doul, a dil doul. dil doul, doul
Then happy were I, &c
Kind sister, quoth she, to tell you the truth,
It has gone this twelve months day:
I freely gave into a huodnome youth,
That us'd with me to sport and play:
To grieve for thu loss of it I never shall,
If I had ten thousand I would give them all
For a dil doul, a dil doul. dil doul, doul
O my maidenhead's gone now I've had a dil doul
She making this answer, I bid her adieu,
And told her I could no longer stay,
I let go her hand, and I straight left the Strand.
And to Covent Garden I hasted away:
Where lively young gallants do use to resort,
To pick up young lasses and shew 'um fine sport
With a dil doul, a dil doul, dil doul doul,
Yet none could be found to give me a dil doul.
I would id'e a sweet heart, as some Maids have,
That little know how to pleasure a man,
I'de keep him frolicksome, gallant and brave,
And make as much on him as any one can:
Before any good thing he should lack,
I'de sell all my Coats & Smock from my back
For his dil doul, a dil doul, dil doul doul,
Then happy were, &c
Thus young men I have I declared in brief,
The causes of my sorrow and woe,
And if any of you will yield me relief,
Speak chearfully to me, say yea or no:
I live at the sign of the Cup and the Can,
And I will be loving to any young man
For his dil doul, a dil doul, dil doul doul,
And all of my wanting is for a dil doul
Besides, young men, I have store of money,
Good red Gold and Silver bright,
And he shall be Master of every penny,
That marries with me and yields me delight.
For why, t'other night I heard my dame Nancy
Declare how her Master did tickle her fancy,
With his dil doul, a dil duol, dil doul doul.
Then what e 'er it cost me I'le have a dil doul.
Then come to me, my bonny Lad,
While I am in the prime, I pray,
And take a good bargain while it's to be had,
And do not linger your time away.
'Tis money, you see, makes many a man rich:
Then come along, rub on the place that doth itch
For a dil doul, a dil doul, dil doul doul,
Take all my money, give me a dil doul