Diddle, Diddle.  
Or, The Kind Country Lovers.  
With sly insinuations he persuades her  
And by the bands of Love, along he leads her.  
Relating pleasant stories for to bind her  
And all to make her unto him prove kinder.  
And so in Love at last they live together  
With pleasant days enjoying one another.  
Tune of Lavender green, etc.  

With Allowance,  
Ro. L'Estrange.   
 

LAvenders green, Diddle, diddle  
Lavenders blue  
You must love me diddle diddle,  
cause I love you,  
I heard one say diddle diddle  
since I came hither,  
That you and I diddle diddle  
must lie together.   

My hosttess maid diddle diddle  
her name was Nell,  
She was a lass diddle diddle  
that I loved well,  
But if she die diddle diddle  
by some mishap,  
Then she shall lie diddle diddle  
under the Tap.   
 
 

That she may drink Diddle, diddle,  
when she's a dry.  
Because she loved Diddle, diddle  
my Dog & I,  
Coll up your Maids Diddle diddle  
set them to work,  
Some to make Hay, Diddle diddle  
some to the Rock.   

Some to make Hay, Diddle diddle,  
some to the Corn  
Whilst you and I Diddle, diddle,  
keep the bed warm,  
Let the birds sing Diddle, diddle  
and the Lambs play.  
We shall be safe Diddle, diddle  
out of harms way.   

James at the George, Diddle, diddle  
Sue at the Swan,  
He loves his maid Diddle diddle,  
she loves her man,  
But if they chance Diddle, diddle  
for to be found,  
Catch them i'th' Corn Diddle diddle  
put them i'th' pound.   

I heard a bird Diddle, diddle  
sing in my Ear,  
Maids will be scarce Diddle, diddle,  
the next New year,  
For young men are Diddle, diddle  
so wanton grown  
That they ne'er mind Diddle, diddle  
which is their own.   

Down in a Vale Diddle, diddle  
where flowerrs do grow  
And the birds sing Diddlle, diddle  
all on a row.  
A brisk young man Diddle, diddle  
met with a Maid,  
And laid her down, Diddle diddle  
under the shade.   

Where they did play Diddle, diddle  
& Kiss & Court,  
Like Lambs in May Diddle diddle  
making fine sport.  
There lives a Lass Diddle, diddle  
over the Green,  
She sells good Ale Diddle, diddle  
think what I mean.   

Oft have I been Diddle, diddle  
with her i'th' dark  
And yet I ne'er Diddle diddle  
shot at the mark.  
But now my Dear Diddle, diddle  
have at thy bum  
For I do swear Diddle, diddle  
now I am come.   

I will be kind Diddle diddle  
until I die,  
Then prithee love Diddle diddle  
my Dog & I.  
For thee & I Diddle diddle  
now are all one,  
And we will lie Diddle diddle  
no more alone.    

Printed for J. Wright, J. Clark, W. Thackery and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈…〉