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A Ballad call'd the Green-Gown.
An leave, piping, the gods have done feasting,
There's never a goddess a hunting to day,
••rtals marvel at Corridon's Jesting,
That gives the assistance to entertain May.
••e Lads, and the Lasses with scarves on their faces,
So lively as passes trip over the downs:
••ch mirth and sport they make, running at Barly-break;
Lord what hast they make for a Green-Gown!
••hn with Gillian, Harry with Francis,
Meg and Mary with Robin and Will,
••orge and Margery lead all the dances,
For they were reported to have the best skill:
••t Cicily and Nanny the fairest of many
That came last of any from out of the towns,
••ickly got in among the midst of all the throng
They so much did long for their Green-Gowns.
••anton Debora whispered with Dorothy,
That she would wink upon Richard and Sym,
••ncing Maudlin shew'd her authority,
And in the quarrel would venture a Limb.
••t Sibbel was sickly, and could not come quickly,
And therefore was likely to fall in a sown,
•• would not tarry for Tom nor for Narry,
Lest Christian should carry away the Green-gown
••anch and bettrice both of a family,
Came very lazy lagging behind;
••nise and Amable noting their policie,
Cilpid is cunning although he be blind:
••t Winny the witty, that came from Citie,
VVith Parnel the pretty, and Besse the brown;
••em, Jone and Isabel, Su, Alice and Bonny Nell,
Travell'd excedingly for a Green-Gown.