Oh How You Protest
Oh! how you protest and solemnly swear,
Look humble and fawn like an Ass;
I'm pleas'd, I must own, when ever I see
A Lover that's brought to this pass.
Keep, keep further off, you're naughty I fear,
I vow I will never, will never, will never yield to't;
You ask me in vain; for never I swear
I never, no never, I never, no never
I never, no never will do't.
For when the Deed's done, how quickly you go,
No more of the Lover remains,
In hast you depart, whate'er we can do,
And stubbornly throw off your Chains:
Desist then in time, let's hear on't no more,
I vow I will never yield to't;
You promise in vain, in vain you adore,
I never, no never will do't
Or else I were to blame, in truth fair maid"
"Good sir", quoth she again "if you take the pain,
I will it not refrain nor be dismayed!"
He took this maiden then aside
and laid her where she was not spied,
And told her many a pretty tale,
and gave her right well of Watkin's Ale.
When he had done to her his will,
they talked of what it shall not skill
At length quoth she: "Spare me your tale
and give me more of Wathin's Ale
Or else I will not stay for I must needs away.
My mother bade me play the time is past
Therefore good sir", quoth she,
"if you have done with me -
"Nay soft, fair maid" again quoth he at last,
"Let as talk a little while",
with that the maiden began to smile
And said "Good sir, full well I know,
your ale I see runs very low!"
This young man thus being so blamed,
did blush an one who was ashamed,
He took her round the middle so small,
and gave her more of Watkin's Ale
And said.- "Fair maid I pray,
when you go forth to play
Remember what I say, walk not alone!"
"Good sir", quoth she again,
"I thank you for the pain
For fear of farther stain I will be gone!"
"Fairwell maiden", then quoth he,
"Adieu again good sir," quoth she.
Thus they parted at last,
until thrice three monthes were past.
This maiden then fell very sick,
her maidenhood began to kick
Her colour waxed wan and pale,
with talking much of Watkin's Ale
I bid all maidens toy,
who hear this pretty toy
Wherein most women joy how they do sport
For surely Watkin's Ale (and if it be not stale)
Will bring them to some bale, as hath report
New ale will wake their bellies bown*,
at trial by this same is known
This proverb is taught in schools,
it is no jesting with edged tools!
* rounded