THE Merry MILK-MAID: Being, Her Longing-Desire after Matrimony: That she might be one of the Honourable Society of Gossips.  
To the Tune of, Tan Tivee.  
licenced according to Order.  
 a woman milking a cow  a man  

AS I through a Meadow one morning did pass,  
when Flowers and Blossoms were springing;  
I happened to hear a young Beautiful Lass,  
as she this new Ditty sat singing:  
Here's Beauty without any manner of Pride,  
I'd give forty shillings I might be a Bride,  
To have a kind Husband to lie by my side,  
It is a fine thing to be married.   

alas, I have used all manner of means,  
for tempting young bachelors to me,  
For two or three Year I have been in the Teens,  
yet there is no Gallant will Wooe me:  
My passion with Cupid is daily at strife,  
So that I am weary of a single Life,  
I wish that young Robin would make me his Wife:  
it is a fine thing to be married.   

I now am a Servant and Drudge like a slave,  
exposed to all manner of Weather;  
But had I a Husband it then would be brave,  
then we might both Cuddle together:  
The Charms of my Beauty would surely invite  
My Husband, to taste of the pleasant delight,  
In-pleasure we'l spin out the long Winters night:  
it is a fine thing to be married.   

The Lass that is married, her Husband and she,  
enjoys pleasant Charms out of measure,  
Yet I am not certain what sport it might be,  
but sure it is some sort of Pleasure:  
But e're it be long I 'm resolved to know,  
If any Good-Fellow some kindness will show,  
What causes this Itching, above and below:  
it is I dare swear to be married.   

The good Man he dotes on the Charms of her Eyes,  
and daily endeavours to please her,  
Nay, every M●rning before he doth rise,  
he'l hug her, nay, kiss her, and squoeze her:  
Now when she doth find him thus frolic and free,  
In Love and Affection they both do agree,  
It makes her as blithe as a bide in a three:  
it is a fine thing to be married.   

Nay, when a young Woman is Breeding, you know  
the Husband with Dainties will feed her:  
And as it to higher perfection doth grow,  
abroad he will carefully led her:  
And then whatsoever she'll covet or crave,  
The honest good Man he endeavours to have,  
Whereby he her timorous Longing may save,  
it is a fine thing to be married.   

And when the young Women do chance to Cry out,  
they straightways are called to their Labours,  
And then after this comes a gossipping buot,  
to do as the rest of their Neighbours:  
They in their Apparel are decked neat and fine,  
To prattle and likewise to tipple in Wine,  
until all their Noses with Claret does shine:  
O 'tis a fine thing to be married.   

I hope in good time it will come to my turn,  
to be at that sweet Recreation;  
All Persons must own it a weighty consern,  
it being for Multiplication:  
And therefore if now I could light of a Friend,  
On whom I might here for a Husband depend,  
I would not delay it a Week to an end:  
it is a fine thing to be married.    

Printed for P. Brooksby, J. Deacon, J. Blare, and J. Back.