Frauncis new iigge, betweene Frauncis a gentleman, and Richard a farmer To the tune of Walsingham.

Frauncis new Iigge, betweene Frauncis a Gentleman, and Richard a Farmer. To the tune of Walsingham. (Book 1)

[illustration]

Besse.

AS I went to Walsingham, to the shrine with spéed, Met I with a iolly Palmer, in a Pilgrims weede.

Now God you saue you iolly Palmer.

Fran.

Welcome Lady gay,

Oft haue I sued to thée for loue.

B.

Oft haue I said you nay.

F.

My loue is fixed.

B.

And so is mine, but not on you: For to my husband whilst I liue, I will euer be true.

F.

Ile giue thée gold and rich array.

B.

Which I shall buy too deare.

F.

Nought shalt thou want: then say not nay.

B.

Naught would you make mee I feare.

What though you be a Gentleman, and haue lands great store? I will be chaste doe what you can, though I liue ne're so poore.

F.

Thy beauty rare hath wounded mee, and pierst heart.

B.

Your foolish loue doth trouble mee, pray you Sir depart.

F.

Then tel mee swéet wilt thou consent vnto my desire:

B.

And if I should, then tel me sir, what is it you require?

F.

For to inioy thee as my loue.

B.

Sir you haue a wife:

Therefore let your sute haue an end.

F.

First will I lose my life.

All that I haue thou shalt commaund.

B.

Then my l••••e you haue.

F.

Your weaning I well vnderstand.

B.

I yeeld to what you craue.

F.

But tel mee sweet when shall I enioy my hearts delight.

B.

I prethee sweete heart be not coy, euen soone at night.

[illustration]

My husband is rid ten miles from home, money to receiue: In the euening sée you come.

F.

Til then I take my leaue.

(Exit:

B.

Thus haue I rid my hands full well of my amorous loue, And my sweet husband wil I tell, how hee doth me moue.

Enter Richard Besses husband. To the tune of the Iewish dance.

Rich.

Hey doune a doune, hey doune, a doune a doune, There is neuer a lusty Farmer, in all our towne: That hath more cause, to lead a merry life, Then I that am married to an honest faithfull wife.

B.

I thanke you gentle husband, you praise mee to my face.

R.

I cry thee mercy, Bessee, I knew thee not in place.

B.

Beleeue me gentle husband, if you knew as much as I, The words that you haue spoken, you quickly would deny: For since you went from home, A sutor I haue had, Who is so farre in loue with mee, that he is almost madde. Héele giue me gold and siluer store, and money for to spend, And I haue promis'd him therefore, to be his louing friend.

R.

Beleeue me, gentle wife, but this makes mee to frowne, There is no gentleman nor knight, nor Lord of high renowne: That shall enioy thy loue, gyrle, though he were ne're so good: Before he wrong my Besses so, Ile spend on him my blood. And therefore tell me who it is that doth desire thy loue.

B.

Our neighbour master Francis, that often did me moue.

To ••hom I gaue consent, hi•• mind for to fulfill, And promis'd him this night, that he should haue his will: Nay doe not frowne, good Dickie, but heare me speake my minde: For thou shalt see Ile warrant thee, Ile vse him in his kind. For vnto thee I will be true, so long as I doe liue, Ile neuer change thee for a new, nor once my mind so giue. Goe you to mistrisse Frauncis, and this to her declare: And will her with all speed, to my house to repaire: Where shee and ile deuise some pretty knauish wile: For I haue layd the plot, her husband to beguile. Make hast I pray and tarry not, for long he will not stay.

R.

Feare not, ile tell her such a tale, shall make her come away.

B.

Now Besse bethinke thée, what thou hast to doe▪ Thy louer will come presently, and hardly will he woo: I will teach my Gentleman, a tricke that he may know, I am too craftie and too wise, to be ore reached so: But héere he comes now: not a word, but fall to worke againe.

she sowes

F.

How now swéetheart, at worke so hard▪

B.

I sir, I must take paines.

F.

But say, my louely sweeting, thy promise wilt thou kéepe? Shall I enioy thy loue, this night with me to sleepe?

B.

My husband rid from home, heere safely may you stay.

F.

And I haue made my wife beleeue, I rid another way.

B.

Goe in good sir, what ere betide, this night and lodge with mee.

F.

The happiest night that euer I had, thy friend still will I bee.

Enter Mistris Frauncis with Richard. To the tune of Bugle Boe.