The Politick Countreyman.
Plainly setting forth the many misfortunes of those men who have mist of their aims in choosing a wife, also discovering the vast difference between the London Mistrisses and the Country Dames.
Tune of,
Hey boys up go we, Or,
Jenny Gin.
SInce Women they are grown so bad
I'le lead a single life,
Not one in ten there's to be had
will make a careful wife:
Therefore I think 'tis best for me
single for to remain,
For some are bound and would be free,
but wishes are in vain.
One man he hath a scolding wife,
that ne'r will quiet be;
But wearies him out of his life:
oh! what ill luck had he
To marry one whose wicked tongue
doth cause him to complain,
But knows not how to ease his wrong
since mourning is
[...]n vain.
Another hath a drunken wife
that spends all she comes near,
And drunkenness oft breedeth strife,
it plainly doth aprear:
And let him chide her all he can,
a Sott she will remain,
And he cannot be freed again,
all vexing is in vain.
Another hath a wanton one,
whose lust he can't suffice;
And good men are too oft undone
by such, whose rouling eyes
On all men gaze; as if they could
by looks their wills obtain,
And never will do what they should:
good Counsel is in vain.
Another hath an idle pack
that will not get her Bread,
Nor keep good Clothes upon her back,
but loves to lie in bed:
Good Counsel she doth still refuse,
reproof she doth disdain,
Her friends she strangely will abuse
that checks her, though in vain.
But he that with a Slut doth meet
hath the worst luck of all,
She stinks as she doth walk the street,
her nasty beast they call:
And if you strive to make her neat,
then will she scold amain;
That with her you dare hardly eat,
to help this 'tis in vain.
Then you that have good careful wives
esteem them as a prize,
Tender them as you do your lives,
or Apples of your eyes:
For it a certain Treasure proves,
and love will there remain,
There's nothing that their love removes;
all strivings are in vain.
Oh! give to me the Countrey lass
that loves the Milking-paile,
For she'l be constant, and alas!
nought can with her prevail:
She loves the man that drives the Plow,
and sometimes sowes the grain,
He that to her doth make a vow
his love is not in vain.
The lusty lad that stoutly Mows,
he loves the Dayry maid;
She's constant, wheresoe're she goes
no wantonness is played:
All looseness she doth clear despise.
and looseness doth disdain,
The Plowman she doth Idolize,
she loves, but not in vain.
Now to conclude, and speak my mind,
pray count it not a jest;
Observe, and you shall clearly find
a Countrey lass is best:
For she is clear, without deceit,
and constant will remain;
He that with such a girle doth meet
his love is not in vain.
Printed, for J. Wright, J Clark, W. Thackery, and T. Passenger.