The Turtle Dove. Or, The wooing in the Wood, being a pleasant new Song of two constant Lovers.  
To the tune of, the North Country Lass.  
 

When Flora she had decked  
the fields with flowers fair,  
my love and I did walk abroad,  
to take the Pleasant air.   

Fair phoebus brightly shined,  
and gently warmed each thing:  
Where every creature than did seem,  
to welcome in the Spring.   

Into a pleasant grove,  
by Nature trimly made:  
My Love and I together walked,  
to cool us in the shade.   

The bubbling brooks did glide,  
the silver fishes leap:  
The gentle Lambs & nimble Fawns  
did seem to leap and skipe,   

The Birds with sugured notes,  
their pretty throats did strain:  
And Shepherds on their oaten pipes,  
made music on the plains.   

Then I began to talk,  
of Lovers in their bliss:  
I wood her and courted her,  
for to exchange a kiss.   

With that she strait way said,  
hark how the Nightingale,  
Although that she doth sweetly sing.  
doth tell a heavy tale.   

That in her maiden years,  
by man she had much wrong:  
Which makes her now with thorn inbrest  
to sing a mournful song.   

With that I lent an ear,  
to hear sweet Philomel.  
Amongst the other Birds in woods,  
and she this tale did tell.   

Fair maids be warned by me,  
I was a maiden pure.  
Until by man I was o'erreached,  
which makes me this endure.   

To live in woods and groves,  
sequestered from all sight:  
For heavily I do complain,  
both morning, noon, and night.   

The Threstle-cock did say,  
fie, Phil●▪ you are to blame:  
Although that one did do amiss,  
Will all men do the same.   

No quoth the Ouzel then,  
though I be black of hue:  
Unto my mate and dearest love,  
I always will prove true.   

The Blackebird having spoke,  
the Lark began to sing:  
If I pertisipate of aught,  
my love to it I bring.   

The Magpie up did start,  
and strait began to chatter:  
Believe not men they all are false,  
for they will lie and flatter.   

Then up upon a leaf,  
the Wren leapt by and by,  
And said bold Parrot your pide-coate,  
shows you can cog and lie.   

The Second part.  
To the same Tune.  

THen Robin-redbreast said,  
'tis I in love am true:  
My colour shows that I am he,  
if you give me my dew.   

No, said the Linnet then,  
your breast it is to yellow:  
For let your love be never so true,  
you lethinke you have a fellow.   

Another bird start up,  
being called the Popengay,  
And said fair Mistress view me well,  
my coat is fine and gay,   

Away with painted stuff,  
the Field fare did say:  
My colour it the abourne is,  
and bears the bell away.   

The Goldfinch then bespoke,  
my colours they are pure:  
For yellow, red, for black, and white,  
all weathers will endure.   

Each bird within the wood,  
a several sentence gave:  
And all did strive with several notes,  
pre-eminence to have.   

Then from an ivy bush,  
the Owl put forth her head  
And said, not such an other Bird  
as I, the wood hath breed.   

With that each Bird of note,  
did beat the Owl away:  
That never more he durst be seen,  
to stay abroad by day.   

And then they all agreed,  
to choose the Turtle Dove,  
And that he should decide the cause,  
betwixt me and my love.   

Who thus began to speak,  
Behold sweet maiden fair:  
How my beloved and myself,  
do always live a pair.   

We never use to change,  
but always live in love:  
We kiss and bill, and therefore called,  
The faithful Turtle Dove.   

And when that each doth die,  
we spend our time in moan,  
Bewailing our deceased friend,  
we live and die alone.   

We never match again,  
as other birds do use:  
Therefore sweet Maiden love your  
do not true love refuse.   

Thus ending of his speech,  
they all did silent stand,  
And then I turned me to my love,  
and took her by the hand   

And said, my dearest sweet,  
behold the love of these:  
How every one in his degree,  
do seek his ma●● to please.   

Then fairest grant to me,  
your constant heart and love:  
And I will prove as true to thee,  
as doth the Turtle Dove,   

She said here is my hand,  
my heart and all I have:  
I kissed her, and upon the same  
a token to her gave.   

And then upon the same,  
the Birds did sweetly sing:  
That echoes through the woods and groves,  
most loudly then did ring.   

Then up I took my Love,  
and arm in arm did walk:  
With her unto her father's house,  
where we with him did talk.   

Who soon did condescend  
when we wear both agreed  
And shortly to the church we went,  
and married were with speed.   

The Bells aloud did ring  
and Minstrels they did play  
And every Youth and maid did strive,  
to grace our wedding day.   

God grant my love and I,  
may have the like success:  
And live in love until we die,  
in joy and righteousness.    
FINIS.   

Printed by the Assigns of Thomas Symcocke.