The true Maid of the South: OR A rare example of a Maid dwelling at Rye in Sussex, who for the love of a young man of Leicestershire, went beyond Sea in the habit of a Page, and after, to their hearts content, were both married at Magrum in Germany, and now dwelling at Rye aforesaid.  
To the tune of, Come, come my sweet and bonny one.  
 

Within the Haven Town of Rye,  
that stands in Sussex fair  
There dwelled a Maid, whose constancy  
transcendeth all compare:  
This Turtle Dove  
Did dear love  
A Youth, who did appear  
In mind and face,  
To be the grace  
and pride of Leicestershire.   

This young man with a Noble Peer,  
who liked his service well,  
Went from his native Leicestershire,  
in Sussex for to dwell:  
Where living nigh  
The Town of Rye,  
this pretty Maid did hear  
Of his good parents,  
Who by deserts,  
was pride of Leicestershire.   

For coming once into that Town,  
it was at first his chance,  
To meet with her, whose brave renown  
all Sussex did advance:  
And she likewise,  
In his faice eyes  
When once sue came him near,  
Did plainly see,  
That none but he,  
was pride of Leicestershire.   

Then little Cupid god of Love,  
began to play his part,  
And on the sudden from above,  
he shot his golden Dart,  
Which did constrain  
These Lovers twain  
to prize each other dear:  
Sweet Margery  
Loved Anthony,  
the pride of Leicestershire.   

Thus with concordant sympathy,  
these Lovers were combined,  
Oue loved the other heartily,  
yet neither told their mind,  
She longed to speak,  
Her mind to break  
unto her Lover dear,  
She durst not tell,  
Though she loved well  
the pride of Leicestershire.   

Within short time it came to pass.  
to Sea the young man went,  
And left this young and pretty Lass  
in woe and discontent:  
Who wept full sore,  
And grieved therefore,,  
when truly she did hear,  
That her swéet-heart.  
From her must part,  
the pride of Leicestershire.   

The second part.  
To the same tune.  

IT was his hap that time to go  
to travel with his Lord,  
Which to his heart did breed much woe,  
yet could he not afford  
A remedy  
To's misery,  
but needs he must leave here  
His Madge behind  
Who grieved in mind  
for the pride of Leicestershire.   

She being then bereaved clean  
of hope, yet did invent,  
By her rare policy, a mean  
to work her hearts content:  
In garments strange  
She strait did change  
herself, rejecting fear,  
to go with him  
Whom she did deem  
the pride of Leicestershire.   

And in the habit of a Page,  
she did entreat his Lord,  
That being a Boy of tender age,  
he would this grace afford,  
That he might go,  
Service to show  
to him both far and near,  
Who little thought  
What love she ought  
to the pride of Leicestershire.   

This Lord did take her, as she seemed  
to be a prettty Lad,  
And for his Page he her esteemed,  
which made her heart full glad:  
To Sea went she,  
And so did he,  
whom she esteemed so dear  
Who for her sake  
Great moan did make,  
and shed full many a tear.   

Thus he poor Lad, lay with his Love  
full many a tedious night,  
Yet neither of them both did prove  
a Lover's true delight:  
She heard him weep,  
Who● he should sleep,  
and shed forth many a ●ea●●  
For Margery,  
Who th●● lay by  
the pride of Leicestershire.   

Long time these Lovers traveled,  
and were bedfellows still,  
Yet she did keep her Maidenhead,  
until she had her will.  
She heard his moan,  
Yet still unknown  
she kept herself for fear,  
Yet at the last  
She cleaved full fast  
to the pride of Leicestershire.   

For having traveled six weeks  
unknown unto her Lover,  
With roisie blushes in her cheeks  
her mind she did discover:  
See here, quoth she,  
One that for thee  
hath left her Parents dear:  
Poor Margery  
The Maid of Rye  
I am, behold me here.   

When Anthony did hear this word,  
his heart with joy did leap,  
He went unto his Noble Lord,  
to whom he did report  
This wonderful thing,  
Which strait did bring  
amazement to him there:  
Of such a Page,  
In any age,  
quoth he, I did not hear.   

At Magrum then in Germany,  
their Lord did see them married,  
From whence unto the Town of Rye  
in England were they carried;  
Where now they dwell  
Beloved well  
of neighbours far and near,  
Sweet Margery  
loves Anthony  
the pride of Leicestershire.   

You Maids and youngmen warning take  
by these two Lovers kind,  
Who ever you your choice do make,  
to them be true in mind,  
For, perfect love,  
Comes from above  
as may by this appear,  
Which came to pass  
By Suffex Lass,  
and the Lad of Leicestershire.   
Finis.    

Printed at London for Francis Coules.