The more hast, the worst Speed: OR, 
The Unfortunate Maids Complaint in private as she did sit,  
Being Fifteen Years of age, and never a Suitor yet.   
To the Tune of, O no, no, no, not yet: Or, What shall I do, shall die for love.  
 woodcut bust portrait of female  
 woodcut bust portrait of man  

WAs ever Country Maid perplexed,  
having both wealth and feature;  
Or any thing nature directs,  
to make a prudent Creature;  
As I, even I, which makes me oft  
so Solitary sit;  
For Fifteen years of age I am,  
and never a Suitor yet.   

The Fifty Pounds to portion I,  
upon my Marriage day;  
Full truly paid, I tell no lie,  
then mark what I shall say;  
My Mother she oft hath  told,  
she would a Husband get;  
For Fifteen years, &c.   

There was a Maiden in our Town,  
was Married at Fourteen;  
Then would not that make me to mean,  
that am not all so green:  
Besides my comely person, I  
am of a pregnant wit;  
Yet Fifteen Years, &c.   

Besides the thoughts of waxing old,  
should stir Young-men to Wed;  
Besides less fear of taking could,  
when two are in a Bed;  
With many other things wherewith,  
I could a Husband fit;  
Yet Fifteen, &c.   

To Brew and Bake its usually  
performed by Country Maids,  
And therefore them I will pass by  
to speak of other Trades:  
Who through employment may have need  
more of a Womans Wit;  
For Fifteen, &c.   

If I should be a Vintners Wife,  
I should become the Bar,  
As well as doth a Drum or Fife,  
within a field of War:  
To cry, Boy, show these Gentlemen  
a Room where they may sit;  
Yet Fifteen years of age am I,  
and never a Suitor yet.   

And if a Cook should mary me,  
I well can raise his Paste,  
Of any fashion that may be  
upon a Table placed:  
Or any other Dish I can  
both garnish and make fit;  
Yet fifteen years of age am I,  
and never a Suitor yet.   
 woodcut of woman  woodcut of man and dog  

NAy, if a shoemaker me wed,  
his Shop-Thread I can spin;  
Although it by myself is said,  
there's few our Town within  
For all the points of housewifry,  
that can each Trade so fit,  
And Fifteen years of age am I,  
and never a Suitor yet.   

The Taylors Needle I can thread,  
if hast should so require,  
Of several colours, Green or read,  
pleasing to his desire:  
Make answer to a man, while he  
doth at the Ale-house sit;  
Yet fifteen, &c.   

If that a Glover marrys me,  
part of his Trade I know,  
Whither it plain or prick-seam be,  
that makes the braver show,  
And truly for to work the same,  
I know Leather's fit,  
Yet fifteen, &c.   

And if I should a Weaver have,  
either of Silk or linen;  
This can I do, and Money save,  
which is a good beginning:  
Either wind Silk, or fill his quills,  
'tis either I can fit,  
Yet fifteen, &c.   

If I should be a sailors wife,  
I can with Plummet sound,  
To know how many fathom length  
the Ship bears from the ground:  
I do know his Compass well,  
with many things so fit;  
Yet fifteen, &c.   

But yet for all my forward care,  
great grief it is to tell,  
Not any man falls to my share  
that far or near doth dwell:  
There's not a Maid my Mother keeps,  
but strait a Husband gets;  
Yet fifteen, &c.   

I am persuaded now that I  
shall hardly live this year,  
But even a silly Maiden die,  
which causeth many a tear  
To gush forth of these crystal eyes,  
and much disturb my wit;  
That Fifteen, &c.   

I hope there's none will take distaste,  
because I speak my mind,  
For all that in the same is placed,  
whoever trys shall find  
Both Portion and these properties  
of which I here have writ:  
Yet fifteen, &c.   

If any Tradesman I have named,  
within himself can find,  
By that description I have framed,  
that I can please his mind:  
Go mary all about my years,  
so may ye on me hit;  
For fifteen years of age am I,  
and never a Suitor yet.   
FINIS.   

Printed for P. Brooks by, at the Golden-hall, near the Hospital-gate, in West-smithfield.