The fetching home of May: OR, 
A pretty new Ditty wherein is made known,  
How each Lass doth strive for to have a green Gown.   
To the Tune of, Room for Company, etc.  

 
 

NOw Pan leaves piping,  
The Gods have done feasting,  
there's never a goddess a hunting to day:  
Mortals do marvel at Coridon's jesting,  
that lends them assisting to entertain May.  
The Lads and the Lasses,  
With scarves on their faces,  
So lively it passes,  
trips over the downs:  
Much mirth and sport they make  
Running at Barleybreak,  
Good lack what pains they take  

for their green Gowns.    

Fine john and Gillian,  
Henry with Franses,  
Meg with Mary, and Robin with Will:  
George and Margery set all the dances,  
for they were reported to have the best skill.  
Sisle and Nanne  
The fairest of many,  
That came last of any  
from out of the Town,  
Quickly got in among  
The midst of the throng,  
Thus they so much did long  

for the green Gown.    

Blanch and Betaris  
Both of a Family,  
came very lasely lagging behind:  
Anes and Anibell noted their policy,  
Cupid is cunning although he be blind:  
Winny the witty  
That came from the City,  
With Parnell the pretty,  
and Bess the brown:  
Clim jone and Isabella,  
Su also and bonny Nell,  
Liked of their journeys well,  

for the green Gown.    

But wanton Deborah  
Whispered to Dorrity,  
that she should wink upon Richard & Sim,  
Now mincing Maudlin showed her authority,  
and in the quarrel did venture a limb:  
Sibyl was sickly  
And could not come quickly,  
And therefore was lickely  
to fall in a swound.  
There was none would tarry  
For Hugh nor for Harry,  
Lest Christian should carry  

away the green Gown.    

Thus all the Youngsters  
Had reached the green Meadows,  
where they appointed to gather their May,  
Some in the Sunshine, & some in the shadows,  
singled in couples did fall to their play.  
Constant Penelope  
Faith, Hope and Charity,  
Looked very modestly,  
yet they safe down:  
Prudens prevented  
What Rachel repent,  
And Cate was contented  

to take the green Gown.     

The second part,  
To the same tune.  
 

THis Maying so pleased,  
Most of the fine Lasses,  
that they much desired to fetch in May flowers,  
For to strew the windows & such like places,  
beside they'll have May bows fit for shady Rowers.  
But most of all they go  
To find where love doth grow,  
Each young man knows 'tis so,  
else he's Clown:  
For 'tis an old saying  
There is great joying,  
When Maids go a Maying,  

they'll have a green Gown.    

Maidens and young men go  
As 'tis an order old  
for to drink merrily, and eat spiced Cakes,  
The Lads & the Lasses their customs will hold  
for they will go walk i'th' fields like loving Mates:  
Em calls for Mary,  
And Ruth calls for Sarah,  
Iddy calls for Harry  
to man them along:  
Martin calls Marcy,  
Dick calls for Debary,  
Then they go lovingly  
all in a throng.   

The bright Apollo  
Was all the while peeping,  
to see if his Daphne had been in the throng,  
And missing her hastily downward was creeping,  
for that's imagined they tarried too long  
Then all the troop mourned  
And homeward returned,  
For Cynthia scorned  
to smils or to frown:  
Thus did they gather May  
All the long Summer's day,  
And went at night away,  

each with a green Gown.    

Bright Venus still glisters,  
Out shining of Luna,  
Saturn was present, as right did require,  
And he called jupiter with his Queen juno,  
to see how Dame Venus did burn in desire:  
Now jove sent Mercury  
To Vulcan hastily,  
Because he should descry  
Dame Venus down:  
Vulkan came running,  
On Mars he stood frowning,  
Yet for all his cunning,  

Venus had a green Gown.    

Cupid shoots Arrows  
At Venus her Darlings,  
for they are nearest unto him by kind:  
Diana he hits not nor can he pierce worldlings  
for they have strong armour his darts to defend:  
The one hath chastity,  
And Cupid doth defy,  
The others cruelty,  
makes him a clown:  
But leaving this I see,  
From Cupid few are free,  
And there's much courtesy  

in a green Gown.     
FINIS.   

Printed at London for J. Wright junior, dwelling at the upper end of the Old Bailie.