Popular Music Of The Olden Time Vol 1

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376	ENGLISH SONG AND BALLAD MUSIC.

I would wyshe, at their worshipfull commencements, might, in steede of lawrell, be gorgiously garnished with fayre greene barley, in token of their good affection to our Bnglishe malt." The following verses are selected from the older copy of the ballad. In the Pills and Merry Musician, the burden, which requires the repetition of the first part of the tune, is omitted:—



What, though I keep my father's sheep, A thing that must he done-a, A garland of the fairest flow'rs Shall shroud me from'the sun-a ; And when I see them feeding by, Where grass and flowers spring-a, Close by a crystal fountain side, I sit me down and sing-a. Dame Nature crowns us with delight Surpassing court or city, We pleasures take, from morn to night, In sports and pastimes pretty : Your city dames in coaches ride Abroad for recreation, We country lasses hate their pride,		I care not for the fan or mask, When Titan's heat reflecteth, A homely hat is all I ask, Which well my face protecteth ; Yet am I, in my country guise, Esteem'd a lass as pretty, As those that every day devisa New shapes in court or city. Then do not scorn the country lass, Though she go plain and meanly; Who takes a country wench to wife (That goeth neat and cleanly), Is better sped, than if he wed A fine one from the city, For there they are so nicely bred,