Parthenia's Complaint.  
OR, The forsaken Sheperdess.  
The faishood of Young men she doth discover,  
By sad example of her Faithless Lover:  
And so against them all she doth inveigh,  
Tho' injured but by one, which makes her say,  
Happy Nymph for certain is that can,  
So little value that false Creature Man.  
To a New Tune much in Request: Or, Sitting beyond a River side.  
 
 

SItting beyond a River's side,  
Parthenia thus to Cloe cried;  
Who from the fair Nymphs Eyes a pace,  
Another stream o'erflowed her beauteous face,  

Ah happy Nymph, said she, that can  
So little value that false creature Man.    

Oft she perfidious things would cry,  
They love, they bleed, they burn, they die,  
But if they're absent half a day,  
Nay, if they stay but one poor hour away:  

No more they die, no more complain,  
But like unconstant wretches live again.    

If that you do their Vows believe,  
Than you are lost without reprieve,  
For Maids that's credulous and free,  
Are ruined soon by their inconstancy:  

With sugared words they will trappan,  
No creature ever was so false as Man.    

The sad effects myself have tried,  
By one that vowed for love be died;  
My pity overcame disdain,  
And I requited him with love again:  

Which makes me say with looks so wan,  
No creature ever was so false as Man.    

For when I thought be loved me most,  
He proved false unto my cost,  
And like a fickle wretch did change  
His mind, 'mongst other beauties for to range,  

Therefore she happy is that can,  
So little value that false creature Man.    

When I upon the flowery Plains,  
Did feed my flocks, free from love's pains  
And rested near the Crystal streams,  
Not once affrighted with such idle dreams,  

Then could I say, 'tis I that can,  
So little value that false creature Man.    
 
 

BUt since that love did me ensnare,  
My Heart is filled with grief and care,  
My looks are changed, and I complain,  
Being requited with such deep disdain:  

Then sure he happy is that can,  
So little value that false Creature man.    

Wild Beasts that in the woods do range,  
Unto their mates are not so strange,  
As men are to their Love's untrue,  
Which makes poor simple maids so deeply rue.  

And say, she happy is that can,  
So little value that false Creature Man.    

You Birds that warble in the grove,  
And hears the falsehood of my Love:  
Bear witness of my sad complaint,  
Who am with grief and sorrow like to faint  

Help me to learn, if that you can,  
No more to value that false creature Man.    

The marble Rocks that do divide,  
The foaming billows as they glide;  
Not so obdurate are in kind,  
As men who unto falsehood are inclined.  

Therefore she happy is that can,  
So little value that false creature man.    

The Gods above will sure chastise,  
Such fickle Lover's treacheries,  
And Cupid with his powerful bow,  
Will make them all their Errors for to know,  

That they may love those Nymphs that can,  
So little value that false creature man.    

You Virgins all who hear my moan,  
Let me not languish all alone,  
Come and assist me in my need,  
Lest that my broken heart with sorrow Heed,  

Help me to learn if that you can,  
No more to value that false Creature man.    

One of a thousand you'll not find,  
That 's true and bears a faithful mind,  
But of your hearts they'll you bereave,  
And then disloyally they will you leave;  
Then sure she happy is that can,  
So little value that false creature man.   

O that such falsehood should remain  
Within that heart whose deep disdain,  
Hath brought me to so sad despair,  
As never for mankind again to care;  

O let me say if that you can,  
No more i'll value that false creature man.    

Into some Desert I will go,  
And weary out my days in woe;  
And with the Turtle there complain,  
And never come in mortals sight again;  

But strive by all the means I can,  
No more to value that false creature man.    

Then let all Virgins have a care,  
And of their treacheries beware,  
Let my mishap your warning be,  
And trust not to their infidelity.  

Let me advise you if you can,  
No more to value that false creature man..