The Maidens Nay, Or, I love not you.  
To a pleasant new Tune.  
 
 


I Spied a Nymph trip over the plain,  
I lured to her, she turned again,  
I wooed her as a young man should do,  

but her answer was, Sir, I love not you.    

I thought she seemed in every part  
So lovely framed by Nature's Art,  
Her beauty soon alured me to woo,  

but her answer was, sir, I love not you.    

I told her all the sweet of love,  
And whatsoever her mind might move,  
To entertain a Lover true,  

but her answer was, sir, I love not you.    

I told her how I would her deck,  
Her head with gold, with pearls her neck  
She gave a frown, and away she flew,  

but her answer was, sir, I love not you.    

Not me (sweetheart) O tell me why?  
Thou shouldst my proffered love deny:  
To whom my heart I have vowed so true,  

but her answer was, sir, I love not you.    

My sweet and dearest love, quoth I,  
Art thou resolved a Maid to die?  
Of such a mind I know but few,  

but her answer was, sir, I love not you.    

This is the pleasant Maying time,  
This is the pleasant golden prime,  
But age will come and make you to rue,  

that e'er you said, sir, I love not you.    

O do not thou my suit disdain,  
Nor make me spend my time in vain,  
But kindly grant a Lovers due:  

yet still she said, sir, I love not you.    

Fair Nymph, quoth I, but grant me this,  
To enrich my lips with one poor kiss,  
I grant you that which I grant but few,  

yet still she said, sir, I love not you.    

The young man proffering then to depart  
It grieved this Maiden then to the heart:  
For having kissed, O then did she rue,  

that e'er she said, Sir, I love not you.    

Wherefore with speed she thought it best,  
To stay him by her kind request:  
Whose coyness thus hath caused her to rue  

that e'er she said, Sir, I love not you.    

But now at last she did begin  
With gentle words to lure him in:  
The second part shall plainly show,  

she changed her note of, I love not you.     

The second part  
to the same Tune.  
 

KInd sir, quoth she, what needs this haste,  
With that a smile on him she cast,  
Shame curbed her long, but affection drew  

these word, I love no man but you.    

I feel the force of Cupid's dart  
So deep hath pierced my tender heart:  
Believe me then for my words are true,  

you will I love, sir, and none but you.    

Do not deny my proffered love,  
Nor think that I the wanton prove:  
Though women seldom use to woo,  

yet I will love, Sir, and none but you.    

When women love they will it hide,  
Until their Lover they have tried:  
Though I say nay, as maidens do,  

you will I love, Sir, and none but you.    

Here is, quoth she, my heart and hand,  
My constant love thou shalt command:  
And I do vow to be ever true,  

you will I love, sir, and none but you.    

Whilst golden Titan doth display  
His beams unto the cheerful day,  
Whilst Spring the Winter doth ensue,  

you will I love, Sir, and none but you.    

On thee my love is fixed fast,  
On thee my love is firmly placed,  
For thee I'll bid the world adieu,  

you will I love, Sir, and none but you.    

If Hero should Leander leave,  
Fair Lucrece Collatine deceive,  
Or Syrinx prove to Pan untrue,  

yet I love you, Sir, and none but you.    

Object no former thy reply,  
Suspect no future constancy:  
Accept my love as a tribute due  

only to you, Sir, and to none but you.    

The young man noting well her words,  
This courteous answer than affords:  
Give me thy hand, take mine in lieu:  

my love I grant here, and so do you.    

To Church with speed then let us hie,  
In marriage bands ourselves to tie:  
Where interchanging hands and hearts,  

I'll love thee dear till death us parts.    

Mark well my Song you Maidens coy,  
That count true love a foolish toy:  
Do not disdain when young men woo,  

but love them freely as they love you.     
FINIS.   

Printed for F. Coles, T. Vere, and J. Wright.