The Country-Maids Delight; Or; The Husbandman's Honour made known.  

Being a Delightful song in praise of a Ploughman.  
You Husbandmen that in Country doth dwell,  
I pray observe and mark my Ditty well,  
In praise of you I will set forth aright,  
In this song called, The Country Maids Delight.   
To the tune of, the soldier's delight; Or, the seamans' adieu to his dear.  
 

YOu youngmen and Maids that in Country doth dwell,  
lend attention if time spare you can;  
I'll sing you a song that will please full well,  
in praise of the honest Ploughman;  
Then hay for the Ploughman that's valiant and stout,  
I love him as dear as my life,  
For if e'er I be wed, or lose my Maidenhead,  
I will be a Husbandman's wife.  
Then mark well I pray what to you I shall say,  
I'll show you if you'll understand,  
How a Ploughman is him that in honour shall swim,  
for he is the main staff of the Land.  
Then, etc.  
In the first place he worketh and labours full hard,  
and takes great pains every day,  
In Tilling and sowing in Reaping and Mowing,  
for he has but small time for to play.  
Then, etc.  
And when his days work it is ended and done,  
he's as merry as a Bird in the Cage:  
Then with Bacon and Beef the which is of the chief,  
his hunger it doth soon assuage.  
Then, etc.  
Then to bed he doth go his night's rest for to take,  
in the morning betimes riseth he,  
His business to ply whether't be wet or dry,  
for such things neglected must not be.  
Then, etc.  
And thus you may see that a Ploughman is a man,  
that bad Husbandry doth abhor,  
But he takes pains, yet be getteth good gains,  
whilst many Tradesmen live but poor.  
Then hay for the Ploughman that's valiant and stout,  
I love him as dear as my life;  
For if e'er I be wed, or lose my Maiden head,  
I'll be a Husbandman's Wife.   

I'll not have a Tailor to measure my waste,  
for he is false in every way:  
He loves Cabbage so dear, that he cannot forbear,  
but he the Thief often must play;  
then hay for the Ploughman that's Valiant and Stout▪  
I love him as dear as my life▪  
If e'er I be Wed, or lose my maidenhead,  
I will be a Husbandman's wife.  
Also the stout Miller with his Tole-dish,  
he never shall grind in my Mill,  
For he is a Knave, though he bears it out brave,  
and so he will ever be still:  
then, etc.  
There's the Weaver, the Blacksmith, and the shoe make  
most of them are deceitful also,  
But a Ploughman is he that my true Love must be,  
in spite of all them that say no.  
Then, &c,  
For if it were not for the honest Ploughman,  
what should we do for Bear or Bread,  
The Baker and the Maultmen themselves might go hang  
for trading with them would be dead.  
Then, etc.  
Also young fine Citizens the which doth go,  
so gallant so trim and so neat;  
Tho dainties they have that's both pleasant and brave,  
yet without Bread they cannot them eat.  
Then, etc.  
And if'ft e'er be my fortune to have a Ploughman,  
with him i'll go through thick and thin;  
'Tis not Lord nor Earl that hath got Gold or Pearl,  
that shall my true love from him win.  
Then, etc.  
Then let Country Lasses be all of my mind,  
the honest Ploughman for to love,  
He is constant and true, he'll not turn with the wind,  
but he's as true as the Turtle-Dove.  
Then. &c,  
And so to conclude my new ditty here penned,  
God bless the brave Ploughman I say,  
I wish him prosperity unto the end,  
for 'tis he that doth carry the day.  
Then hay for the Ploughman that's valiant and stout  
I love him as dear as my life,  
If e'er I be wed, and lose my Maiden head,  
I'll be a Husbandman's wife.    

Printed for F. Coles, T. Vere, J. Wright▪ and J. Clarke.