Give me the Willow-Garland, Or, The Maidens Former Fear, and Latter Comfort.  
As first she for a Husband made great moan,  
But at the last she found a loving one.  
To a dainty new Tune, called, Give me the willow-garland.  
 
 

AS I walked forth  
in the merry month of June,  
To hear the Nightingale  
sing her best tune:  
I spied a young Maid,  
which sighed and said,  
My time I have wasted in vain,  
much lov● I have spent,  
which makes me repent,  
Do them that holds me in disdain:   

Take pity, quoth she,  
some gentle body,  
Give me the Willow-Garland,  
for none will have me.   

I am in my conscience  
full sixteen years old,  
Yet still go unmarried  
which makes my heart cold:  
there's many you see  
that's younger than me,  
That suckles sweet babes at the breast  
that lives at their ease,  
and carries the Keys  
Of many fair Cupboard and Chest:   

Take pity, etc.   

Some men will give handkerchiefs  
some will give gloves,  
And some will give Bodkins,  
to purchase maids loves:  
but I like a friend,  
my money did lend,  
And never did ask it again:  
and them that received,  
in whom I believed,  
Have put me to sorrow and pain:   

Take pity, etc.   

When William at first,  
come a wooing to me,  
Good Lord then how jocund,  
and frolic was he?  
he clipped me, he kissed me,  
he hug'd me in his arms,  
He promised to make me his wife:  
but he was mistaken,  
and I am forsaken,  
Which causes much sorrow it strife:   

Take pity, quoth she,  
some gentle body,  
Give me the Willow-Garland,  
for none will have me,   
 
 

THe next that came to me  
was smirking fine Thomas,  
and like sweet William,  
did make me a promise,  
but when this young Lad,  
his will of me had  
He gave me a Judas-like kiss,  
so parted away,  
the truth 'tis to say,  
I ne'er saw him from that time to this:   

Take pity, quoth she,  
some gentle body;  
Give me the Willow-Garland,  
for none will have me.   

Then John the brave Gallant,  
with a Sword by his side,  
Came to me and told me,  
he'd make me his bride:  
but in this brave youth.  
I found but small truth,  
although he did vow and protest,  
to me to prove true,  
yet he bade me adieu,  
and proved quite as bad as the rest:   

Take pity, etc.   

There was Richard and Robert,  
c●me both on one day,  
But they like the others  
soon vanished away:  
and since that time,  
whilst spring was in prime,  
I have had of suitors great plenty,  
I dare to be bold,  
if they were all told,  
That they were at least 3 & twenty,   

Take pity, etc.   

Now seeing that fortune  
hath me so much crossed,  
That all my old sweetheart's,  
are quite gone and lost,  
myself i●●e commend  
to God Cupid my friend,  
And to him will hearty pray,  
to send me a love  
that constant will prove,  
And never to straggle away.   

Take pity, etc.   

There's nothing at all  
that belongs to a man,  
But in a short warning  
well fit him I can:  
I have silver and gold,  
which my Father never told,  
I have very good clothes to my back  
I have house and land,  
and good goods at command,  
'tis only a husband I lack;   

Take pity, etc.   

You see how my Visage,  
is grown pale and wan,  
You well may perceive  
'tis for want of a man:  
my Pulses do beat,  
and my body doth sweat,  
and my senses are all at great strife  
my belly doth ache  
& my heartstrings will break  
If I cannot be made a Wife.   

And therefore, quoth she,  
some gentle body,  
Make me a Willow-Garland,  
or else marry me,   

At last came a youngman  
of courage most bold.  
Saying, sweetheart, I care not  
for Silver nor Gold:  
but if thou w●lt prove  
like the Turtle-Dove,  
Right faithful & true to thy friend,  
then will I be thine,  
and thou shalt be mine,  
And i●le love thee unto my lives end  
Your Servant, quoth she,  
my True love, quoth he,  
Clap hands on the bargain,  
and so w●'l agree.   

And now this young woman  
is eased of her pain,  
For she never after  
was known to complain:  
he made her his wife,  
and she lives a br●ve life,  
Attired in garments most brave,  
and all things at will  
her mind to fulfil,  
at every command she'll now have,  
Her Husband is kind,  
they are both of a mind,  
According as Nature,  
and Love doth them bind,  
Farewell now, quoth she,  
to the green Willowtree,  
I have got a Husband  
that well pleaseth me.   
L. P.  
FINIS.   

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