The country people's Felicity.  
OR, A brief Description of Pleasure.  
Showing the ready way of sweet content,  
By them that ply their work with merriment,  
They eat, they drink, they work, and sport at pleasure  
They pipe and dance, when time and place give leasur,  
To a dainty new tune, called The haymakers Mask.  

 
 

DOwn in a Meadow  
the River running clear,  
All in the month of July,  
the prime of the year,  
Where many a pretty little fish,  
within the Brook bid play.  
And many a Lad, and many a Lass,  
abroad were making Hay.   

In came the Sithes-men,  
to mow the meadow down,  
With their Bags and Bottles,  
and Ale that was so Brown,  
The labouring men with courage bold,  
to each other did reply,  
Let's work, and blow, and stiffly mow  
the Grass cuts very dry.   

Then nimble Tib and Thomas  
with pitchfork and with Rake,  
Came in the merry meadow green,  
the Hay in Cocks to make.  
Where each one plied their labour,  
and did no whit repine,  
The gentle wind blew fair and cool,  
the Sun did clearly shine,   

Mary, Bess and Nanny  
in Scarlet Petticoats.  
Kept singing at their labours,  
with sweet and pleasant notes,  
Sweet jug, jug, jug, jug jug, jug, jug,  
the Nightingale did sing,  
Whose noble voice made all rejoice,  
as they were Hay-making,   

Then Robin Ned, and Richard,  
being in a merry vain,  
To further the Hay-making,  
run nimbly over the Plain.  
And came into the meadow,  
with courage and delight.  
And plied their business stoutly,  
whilst Phoebus shined bright,   

Rowland and sweet William,  
and John upon that day,  
Brought pretty Kate and Bridget,  
to help them make the Hay.  
Fair Margaret, Sue and Francis,  
they stayed not long behind,  
But for to todd and turn the Hay,  
they were every one inclined.    

The second 〈◊〉  
to the same tune  
 
 

NOw when those Lads and Lasses  
were all together that day,  
In that same gallant meadow,  
a making of the Hay:  
They plied their work so closely.  
and laboured so complete,  
Until the pretty maiden's brows,  
did drop a pace with sweat.   

The young men in like manner,  
drew forth Handkerchiefs then,  
To wipe the maiden's Faces,  
like loving hearted men.  
No hurt was done amongst them,  
but now and then a kiss,  
The young men gave their swét hearts  
you know no harm's in this.   

At last when bright Phoebus,  
the Sun was going down,  
A merry disposed Piper,  
approached from the Town.  
And with his Pipe and Tabor,  
he did so trimly play.  
So that they all laid down their Tools,  
and left off making Hay.   

Then each man took his sweet heart,  
their fortunes to advance,  
John with nel, and Nan with Will,  
and Tib with Tom did dance,  
No rare nor braver pastime;  
could be under the Sun,  
Then from the morn to evening  
was in the meadow done:   

Now thus much for the country folks  
I dare be bold to say,  
Which in the merry meadow,  
that time were making Hay,  
No ill act was committed,  
nor no ill business wrought.  
Would every one in London were,  
as pure in deed and Thought:   

Some of you London Lasses,  
fla●●is up and doown in jags,  
With Copper Lace, and painted face;  
silk Scarfs, and gay black Bags:  
In my mind are not so wholesome,  
so handsome nor so fair:  
As are the country Damsels plain  
that ne'er such toys did wear.    
L. P  
FINIS.   

London, Printed for Francis Grove on Snow-hill.