The Maid's Chastity that is troubled in mind,  
Against youngman's inconstancy, who proveth unkind:  
She gives warning to all Maidens that are in the Row,  
To take heed of false Young Men wheresoever they go.  
To a pleasant new Tune.  
 
 

YOu young maids that would live chary,  
And live single and not marry,  
Nor contract yourselves to none,  
For the Maid is the best that lies alone.   

Cupid, Cupid, thou hast done me wrong,  
I have been thy servant now too long;  
My heart was never free from care,  
Since I was entangled in thy snare.   

In thy snare I have been fettered,  
And often have my business letted,  
In following after Venus' train  
But the Maid is the best that lies alone.   

Young men they will cog and lie,  
Maidens they may weep & cry  
Truth & Conscience they use none,  
But the Maid is the best that lies alone.   

In this breast a heart I bear,  
'tis none of mine I wish it were  
Once it was mine, if I could have kept it,  
But now where it is, 'tis not respected.   

Now I hope to have my heart again,  
And keep it fast from Venus' Chain,  
Lock it in this Breast of my own  
But the Maid is the best that lies alone.   

When I have gained it safe again  
Then I am free from all young men,  
And never like to make this moan,  
But live a single Maid alone.   

Love is a torment who can abide it,  
Who better knows then them that has tried  
I count her but for a mad woman still,  
That seeks to humour a young man's will.   
 

YOung men they be much blinded,  
Only to know a maidensmind  
Maids do not believe them if they swear  
Lest after they leave you in a snare.   

But try their hearts if that you can  
Before that you love any man:  
Love is fond & fickle still  
Then do not humour a young man's will.   

If a Lover be humoured in his condition,  
Then he doth plead with a strong commission  
To get his intention if he can  
The maid is the best that lies alone.   

For in lying alone there's no harm taken,  
And being of an unconstant Love forsaken,  
It's better than Gold or Silver store,  
If that she doth never see him more.   

A maid that lives in an honest carriage  
Must be careful in her marriage  
Young men are so deceitful grown,  
The Maid is the best that lies alone.   

True Lovers Knot may soon be tied,  
And a maid too soon may be made a Bride,  
That's not all in conclusion shown  
But the Maid is the best that lies alone.   

There is many things for to consider  
If a man & a woman go together:  
If Love be wanting between them twain  
She had better still to lie alone.   

When they come to a maid a wooing  
They make no conscience of their doing  
But use all the deceit they can  
But the Maid is the best that lies alone.   

There are false young men in my mind  
Some proves cross, & some proves kind  
I will not condemn them all for one  
The Maids are best that lie alone.   

Therefore I advise you consider my Song  
I writ to maids, I'll do them no wrong  
And still I do tell you every one  
The Maid is the best that lies alone.    

Printed for R. H. & I Williamson in Cannon street and at the Bible on London-Bridge.