The praise of our Country Barley-brake: OR,  

Cupid's advisement for Youngmen to take  
Up this loving old sport, called Barley-brake.   
To the tune of, when this Old Cap was new.  

 
 

BOth young men Maids and Lads,  
of what state or degree,  
Whether southeast or west,  
or of the North Country  
I wish you all good health,  
that in this Summer's weather,  
Your swéet-hearts and yourselves,  
play at Barley-brake together.   

As it a custom was,  
so let it flourish still,  
Flora again hath decked  
your much frequented hill,  
And Phoebus' two divides  
what Boreas pacts together,  
That he with furious chides,  
doth not over cast the weather.   

Then sith the cause so stands,  
that all these think it good,  
To put their helping hands,  
let nothing be withstood,  
Fulfil the proverb old,  
your lovers in fair weather.  
As well as to make hay,  
play Barley Broke together.   

If thy love give the stroke,  
be sure have an eye  
Before hand it is spoke,  
then follow presently,  
And if thou dost him catch,  
then pray for more fair weather,  
That you may play a match  
at Barley Broke together.   

Then William loved Nan,  
and that with such good will,  
That they of Love must scan,  
upon yond gréeny hill,  
Their talk is not of wealth,  
but how they may persever,  
In that same love was shown,  
at Barley-Brake together.   

Then Thomas loved Nell,  
although her friends were poor,  
Her virtue did excel,  
she needed then no more,  
I, Nicholas then would smile,  
and Philip pleased was ever,  
when they could play a while,  
at Barley Broke together.   

Nay Simon Frank and Steven,  
with Sisly Doll and Mary  
Need not to this been driven,  
Nor Kate that keeps the Dary,  
For with a forward mind,  
not fearing wind nor weather,  
She knows young men are kind,  
at Barley-brake together.   

Then Harry would bestow,  
wine, beer and Cakes on Bridget,  
But now 'tis nothing so:  
his Father doth forbid it,  
If wealthy Maids be slack,  
there's few that dare show favour,  
Their Fathers keep them back,  
no, no, you shall not have her.    

The second part.  
To the same Tune.  
 
 

ANd that was Cupid's time,  
wherein he got much praise,  
For none did Usher then,  
in his School in those days,  
Now lust his Usher's hand,  
and pride bears such a sway,  
That all his shafts are burned,  
that were so sweet and gay.   

When as this mirth was used,  
of which I now do write,  
Love was not so abused  
nor in so bad a plight,  
As he is now adays,  
for though he be no fool  
Amongst his Scholars now,  
he is hist out of his School.   

But cheer up pretty Maids,  
for now I'll leave the City,  
And bring your Country blads,  
unto their former pity,  
And if they ever did love,  
so shall they now persever,  
And you shall play like Doves  
at Barley-brake together.   

It is a lively sport  
to set how nimblely;  
Yond need no great report,  
the same to testify,  
To see with sweet embrace,  
each Lad his Lass doth clip,  
And laying face to face,  
doth taste each others lip.   

Thus are are our Country youth,  
both merry too and ioyall,  
If they set love 'tis truth,  
they hate to be disloyal  
And therefore in their praise,  
my pen shall write for ever,  
Because they love do raise,  
at Barley-brake together.   

And many Pastimes more,  
which long hath been neglected,  
Again to you is restored,  
then let it be respected,  
And as in tunes before,  
so do you now persever,  
Then will you ever love sore  
at Barley-brake together.   

Therefore you Country Maids,  
that are to London gone,  
Let me with fair persuades,  
entreat you to come home,  
If you your Love will meet,  
make haste and high you hither,  
That he and you may greet,  
at Barley-brake together.   

Then think not you amiss,  
of this my good advice,  
Nor for to take a kiss,  
I pray you be not nice;  
'tis Cupid doth direct  
you how you may persever,  
Let that be no neglect,  
at Barley-brake together.   

Then will old customs come,  
unto their former use,  
And Love be made amends,  
for this his great abuse,  
That he hath long sustained,  
in Country, Town and City,  
And lust shall be arraigned,  
and none shall plead for pity.   

Because he hath defiled,  
what Love hath oft united,  
And so unloosed the knot,  
that Cupid so delighted,  
To see in every breast,  
within this Summer's weather,  
True Lovers never ablest,  
but when they play together.    
FINIS.   

Printed at London for H. Gosson.