The Courtier and the Country Maid
All you that either hear or read
This Ditty is for your Delight;
Tis of a pretty Country Maid,
And how she serv'd a courtly knight.
Refrain:
T'was in the flowry Spring,
The Linnet, Nightingale and Thrush
Sate on the fresh green hawthorn Bush,
And jug, jug, jug, and twee, twee, twee,
Most sweetly they did sing.
This courtly Knight, when Fields were green,
And Sol did genial Warmth inspire,
A Farmer's Daughter late had seen,
Whose Face had set his Heart on Fire.
Oft to her Father's House he came,
And kindly was receiv'd there still
The more be added to his shame,
Since only 'twas to gain his Will.
One evening then amongst the rest
He came to visit the good Man,
But needs must know where Clara was
And heard she was a milking gone
Then call'd he for his pamper'd Steed,
With Pistols at his Sadie Bow,
And to the Meadow rode with Speed,
Where she was milking of her Cow.
Her pretty Hands that stroak'd the Teats,
From whence the Milk down streaming came
Inform'd his Thoughts of other Sweets,
That more encreas'd his raging Flame.
Then off he lights, and tyes his Horse,
And swore she must his Pain remove,
If not by fair Means, yet by Force,
Since he was dying for her Love
The pearly Tears now trickling fall,
That from her bashful Eyes do flow
But that he heeded not at all
But does her strait his Pistols show.
But first pull'd out a fine gay Purse
Well lin'd within, as she might see
And cry'd, "Before it happens worse
Be wise, and take a Golden Fee."
"Oh keep your Gold," reply'd the Maid,
"I will not take your golden Fee,
For well you hope to be repay'd,
And greater Treasure take from me."
A thund'ring Oath then out he sent,
That she should presently be dead;
For were his Heart not eas'd, he meant
Point blank to shoot her thro' the Head
Then making haste to seize her, went
And laid the Fire-Arms at her Feet,
Whilst Clara seeing his Intent,
Has no recourse to Aid, but Wit
She feigns a Smile, and, clinging close,
Cry'd out, "I've now your Courage try'd,
Y'have met no simple Country Mouse,
My Dear, you shall be satisfied.
Look out, and see who comes and goes
And you shall quickly have your Will
For if my Father nothing knows
Then I shall be a Maiden still."
The witless Knight peeps o'er the Hedge,
As one well pleas'd with what he heard,
Whilst she does both the Pistols snatch
And boldly stood upon her Guard.
"Keep off, keep off, Sir Fool," she cry'd
"And from this Spot of Ground retire,
For if one Yard to me you stride,
By my sav'd Maiden-head I fire.
My Father once a Soldier was,
And Maids from Ravishers would free,
His Daughter too, in such a Cafe,
Can shoot a Gun as well as he.
Go home, ye Fop, where Game's not dear
And for half Crown a Doxey get,
But seek no more a Partridge here,
You could not keep, tho' in your Net."
At this the Knight look'd like a Mome,
He sues and vows, but vain was all,
She soon convey'd the Trophies home
And hung up in her Father's Hall.
- Hesperus
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My Thing Is My Own: Bawdy Songs of D'Urfey (1653-1723)
- The Surprised Nymph Time: 2:09
- Off She Goes (instrumental) Time: 1:17
- My Thing Is My Own Time: 4:41
- De'il Take The War Time: 2:12
- British Grenadiers March (instrumental) Time: 1:07
- Robin in the Rushes Time: 5:09
- I've Vowed To Die A Maid Time: 2:26
- Twangdillo Time: 3:38
- Oh, Mother Time: 1:41
- Scotch Cap (instrumental) Time: 1:57
- A Little Of One With t'Other - John Palyford - English Country Dancing Master Time: 3:20
- The Mousetrap Time: 1:07
- Madison's Whim-Confess-Half Hannekin (instrumental) Time: 3:16
- I Never Knew Ye Loved Me (instrumental) Time: 1:38
- Jenny My Blithest Maid - Rowallan ms Time: 3:20
- The Tunbridge Doctors Time: 2:06
- Packington's Pound (instrumental) Time: 2:05
- The Old Fumbler - Playford Time: 1:24
- Tom Tinker Time: 2:04
- The Courtier and the Country Maid Time: 4:13
- Would Ye Have a Young Virgin Time: 1:55
- The Lusty Young Smith Time: 2:19
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