The Subtle Damosel.  
Or, Good Counsel for Maids.  
Wherein she shows to every Maiden fair,  
To take heed of false young men wherever they are:  
For Frummety Dick doth love well the Kettle,  
And porridge pot Will is a man of great mettle.  
To the Tune of, the new made Gentlewoman,  
 
 

I Once had a Servant,  
as other Maids have  
That pretended to love me  
but he proved a knave:  
He thought by his tricks  
to overcome me,  
But I was as cunning  
and crafty as he.   

His tongue was so tipped  
with temptations that I  
Out of his presence or sight  
could not lie;  
He called me his honey,  
his duck and his dear:  
But now his words to me  
he doth them forswear,   

But now I am free from him,  
I'm glad in my heart:  
Its never be said, I will mourn  
When we part:  
But unto all Maids now  
the truth I will show  
To take heed of false young men  
wherever they go.   

I'th' first place take heed,  
and beware what I say▪  
For when you are bound,  
they'll force you to obey:  
Near trust a man  
that hath a red Nose,  
Before he'll want his liquor  
he'll pawn your best clothes:   

There's Dick came and Harry:  
both Robin and Will  
Have showed themselves clowns,  
and so they'll be still:  
For Peter at dancing  
he put them all down  
But John kissed the best of all  
men in the Town.   

But though I did promise him  
and count him the best  
Yet he can dissemble  
as well as the rest:  
From eighteen to thirty  
these young men I mind  
Loves a wench in a corner,  
if they can them find.   

For this I'm resolved,  
and so I say still,  
There's not one amongst twenty  
but he both prove ill:  
Search every City  
and Town you shan't see  
A man that proves constant  
and faithful to be   

Though John of good mettle,  
and counted so civil,  
At a Frumme●y Kettle  
he'll fight with the Devil:  
Or at long spoon and custard  
he's a right honest man:  
But I have forsaken him  
then love him who can.   

There's Bob a good fellow  
to give him his due:  
Such a young man again  
I think there is but few:  
Yet with one disease he is  
troubled I smell,  
If he meet with a wench,  
he can't kiss her but tell.   

Also came the Tailor  
and the Weaver I discern,  
The one is for Shreds,  
the others for Yarn:  
These two boon Companions  
work hard I do see,  
And they're striving which of them  
the best thief will be,   

Last Valentine's day  
I met with my Dear,  
He took me by the hand,  
and lead me to the Fair:  
He gave me fine fairings,  
to kiss me was bold:  
But at last I do give him  
the dog for to hold,   

His eloquent speeches  
could do him no good,  
I can give him fair words,  
and then leave i' th' mud:  
He talked of deep learning,  
but I did him tell  
That he went to school  
in some bottomless well.   

The world now adays  
it is come to that pass,  
That every Boy now  
doth look for a Lass:  
There's Baconfaced Harry  
as short as my thumb,  
All arse and no body, Sing  
come pudding come.   

These young men & more of them  
which I could name,  
To wrong pretty Maidens  
they think it no shame.  
But what should we speak on't?  
it oft has been tried,  
That honest young men  
they cannot abide.   

Thus Maids have I told you  
some part of my mind,  
How 'tis very heard a good  
Husband to find.  
Though my Love hath left me,  
to grieve I ne'er shall:  
If the rest prove no better,  
old Nick take them all   By J. Wade 
Finis.   

London, Printed for Richard Hardy at the Horshoe in West Smithfield.