Page:Wandering young gentlewoman, or, The cat-skins' garland (1).pdf/6

 He said. 0! brave Cat-skins, I find it is tneethee [sic],

These three nights together have so charmed me;

Thou art the sweetest creature my eyes e’er beheld

With joy and contentment my heart it is filled.

Thou art the cook’s scullion, but as I have life,

Grant me but thy love, I’ll make thee my wife:

And you shall have maids to be at your call,

Sir, that cannot be, I’ve no portion at all.

Thy beauty is a portion my joy and my dear,

I prize it far better than thousands a year;

And to have my friend’s consent, I have got a trick

I’ll go to my bed and feign myself sick;

Theres none shall attend me but thee, I protest

So one day or other, when in thy rich dress,

Thou shall be drest. If my parents come nigh,

I’ll tell them ’tis for thee I’m sick and like to die.

thus consulted, this couple parted,

Next day this ‘Squire he took to his bed,

And when his dear Parents this thing perceiv’d,

For fear of his death they were heartily griev’d.

To tend him they sent for a nurse presently,

He said, none but Cat-skins my nurse now shall be

His Parents said no, Son; he said, but she shall,

Or else I shall have no nurse at all.

His Parents both wond’red, to hear him say thus

That none but Cat-skins must needs be his nurse

So then his dear parents, their Son to content,

Up to the chamber poor Cat-skins they sent.

Sweet cordials and other rich things was prepar’d

Which between this couple were equally shar’d,

And when they were alone in each others arms,

Enjoy’d one another in love's pleasant charms.