TOBIAS Observation;  
A Youngman came unto a fair,  
by chance he met his true Love there  
Said he, sweetheart thou art welcome here,  
invited her to drink some Beer,  
But in the end proved ne'er the near,  
as in this Song it will appear.  
Tune of, The Country Farmer.  By Tobias Bowne. 

This may be Printed,  
R. P.   
 

THere was a Youngman who lately expressed  
his love to a Damsel that lived in the West;  
And thus he began his mind to declare  
said he, thou art welcome unto this Fair  
I have a great mind with thee to talk,  
come pray let us to the Tavern walk  
I'll do thee no harm thou needst not fear,  
for Fairing i'll give thee one flagon of Beer.   

Pray how doth your Father and Mother at home,  
they were well this morning than answered Joan  
Said he if you please to walk with me  
we will be as merry as merry may be:  
To tell thee the truth I do love the dear,  
yet I am so doubtful my mind to declare  
For fear what I ask you should me deny  
and then for your Love I shall surely die   

I hope you will not offended be  
though I make so bold to speak unto thee,  
For night nor day I can take no rest,  
for Love that lies harboured within my Breast  
And thou art she that canst ease my pain,  
then grant me love for love again:  
Give me some kind answer my heart to ease,  
and let me not languish in Love's disease.   The Maids Answer. 

Good Sir, I do fancy you jeer at me,  
your Riches and mine will never agree,  
For I am a poor Man's daughter its known  
I work for my Living abroad & at home  
Sometimes I'm at whom to spinning of Yarn  
and sometimes abroad to reaping of Corn  
Sometimes in the Field to milk the Cow  
I get what I have by the sweat of my brow.   
 
 

I live as well contented as any Maid can,  
what need I entangle myself with a Man,  
I walk where I please at my own command  
I need not say shall I, pray shall I husband,  
Now I have myself to guide and to rule,  
in marrying some people have played the Fool:  
Methinks it is troublesome to be a Nurse,  
when children are froward & husbands are worse   

Yet for your Love I have no cause to deny  
sure you deserve one that is better than I  
For you have a good estate of your own  
And I am a poor Man's Daughter it's known,  
Yet I am content, with what little I have,  
Perhaps if I marry I may be a Slave,  
Therefore I'll beware how I marry in haste,  
for fear I have cause to repent at the last.   The Man's Answer. 

O prithee my dearest take pity on me,  
no one in the World, I fancy but thee,  
And do not abuse me for loving thee dear,  
I'll willingly tarry for thee one whole year  
Nothing shall be wanting thy mind to fulfil  
so thou wilt but grant me thy Love & good Will  
But if thou deny me and Love thou hast none,  
then surely thy Heart is as hard as a Stone.   

Sweetheart prithee tell me, I know you well can  
whether you do fancy another youngman  
Pray pardon my boldness in ask so far,  
or to any other engaged you are,  
My dearest resolve me if you'll be so be kind,  
that will be great ease to my troubled mind,  
But if from all other Men thou art free,  
I shall live in hopes that my Bride thou wilt be.   The Maids Answer. 

Good sir, you pretend a great deal of good will  
yet I am not ready your mind to fulfil,  
For I have no fancy to be made a Wife  
nor ne'er was concerned with no man in my Life  
And for to live single it is my delight  
and so honest youngman I wish you good night,  
Pray by your leave let me pass by you youngman  
for now it is high time for me to be gone.   The Man's Answer. 

And must thou begun and no longer will't stay  
than I wish I had not a seen thee this day,  
For now I am troubled with doubt and with fear  
because I am slighted for loving so dear  
Youngmen I advise you where ever you be  
If Cupid do hit you, then think upon me,  
Although you Love dearly yet never declare,  
unto any Damsel the Love that you bare.   

And so having ended I wish you all well  
each youngman & maid to the place where you dwell  
But yet I would have you one penny bestow  
amp; that is the price of this Ballad you know  
You know it is good to learn Children to Read,  
it's fit for a Youngman to sing to a Maid  
It is good for pastime on each holy day,  
and here be the Ballads come buy them away.    

Printed for P. Brooksby at the Golden Ball in Pie-corner.