A pleasant new Song, if you'll hear it, you may,  
Of a North-country-Lasse that had lost her way.   
To a new Court tune.  

 
 

WIthin the North country,  
as true report doth yield▪  
There stands an ancient country town,  
is called merry Wakefield.   

Within this Country town,  
a lively lass doth dwell,  
She goes unto the market place  
her housewifery to sell.   

And walking all alone  
upon a certain day,  
For to be short, it so fell out  
this fair maid lost her way.   

So wand'ring all alone  
upon the hill so high,  
At last it was her luckily chance  
a Shepherd for to spy.   

Was sitting all alone▪  
upon the mountain top,  
Singing bravely under a bush,  
and viewing of his flock.   

To him this fair maid hied,  
and over the hills crossed:  
That he might put her in the way,  
which she so long had lost.   

So walking thus apace,  
at length she came him nigh,  
Whereas he sat under a bush,  
and did him courtesy.   

God speed Shepherd she said,  
merry day to thee God send,  
I am undone our Shepherd she said,  
if you stand not my fri●nd.   

I going am quoth she,  
unto yond market town,  
But by mischance have lost my way  
upon this hilly down.   

I wand'ring here have bee●e,  
ere since 'twas break of day:  
Yet could I never find which was  
to me the nearest way,   

The Shepherd then replied▪  
fair maid sit down a while,  
And I'll show you the nearest way,  
at least by half a mile.   

O no Shepherd she said,  
if I should stay here long.  
I should not reach they market town,  
till all the market's done.   

Fear not the Shepherd said,  
but sit thou on this grass.  
For thou shalt hear my Bagpipes go  
before thou further pass.   

So down the Maiden sat,  
the Shepherd sat here by,  
And then he plucked his bagpipes forth  
and played melodiously.    

The second part.  
To the same tune.  
 
 

HE plase her such a fit.  
it made her bravely sing:  
The music of his Bagpipes sound  
made all the valleys ring.   

When that his wind was spent,  
and he grew somewhat weary:  
He told her which way she should go,  
and pass over no ferry.   

Shepheard▪ Shepherd, she said,  
if reason may permit,  
Come play that lesson once again,  
I may it not forget.   

Then at the Maid's request,  
although it grieved him sore,  
He played it over twice as long  
as he had done before.   

Then did she take her leave,  
yet loathe she was to part,  
Although I go, Shepherd she said,  
I'll leave with thee my heart.   

Fair well Shepherd she said,  
adieu, nay twice adieu▪  
If ere I chance to lose my way,  
I'll come again to you.   

The Shepherd then replied,  
O no, O no not so  
You shall taste some of my brown beer,  
ere that you further go.   

And some of my white loaf,  
and some of my green cheese,  
If I should stay▪ the maid replied,  
the market I should lose.   

And then my Dame quoth she,  
will storm, and swear and frown,  
If I sell not my housewifery  
before that I come home.   

What is your housewifery,  
fair maiden show to me:  
Two pair of stockings she replied:  
Come buy them now of me.   

What is the price quoth he,  
of this you housewifery?  
Half a crown the maiden said.  
Hold take here is thy money.   

The lass she was so glad,  
her housewifery was sold,  
To stay longer Shepherd she said,  
I dare be somewhat bold.   

So down she sat again,  
until the day was spent:  
And he had folded up his Sheep,  
then both together went.   

Each to his several home.  
where what became of them,  
I do not know, and therefore now  
here will I stay my pen.   
FINIS.    

Printed at London for. H. Gosson.