[The maid is the best that lies alone.] 1675 Approx. 5 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 1 1-bit group-IV TIFF page image. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2011-04 (EEBO-TCP Phase 2). A51293 Wing M264A ESTC R221457 99832763 99832763 37237

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 Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 2, no. A51293) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 37237) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 1782:2) [The maid is the best that lies alone.] 1 sheet ([1] p.) : ill. (woodcuts) Printed for J. Williamson in Canon street and at the Bible on London-Bridgee, [London] : [1675] Verse - "You young maids that would live chary,". Title from Wing. Date of publication from Wing. Imprint on p.[2] reads: Printed for R.H. & J Williamson in Cannon street and at the Bible on London Bridge. Imperfect. Filmed copy trimmed deleting title. Reproduction of the original in the Bodleian Library.

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 eng Ballads, English -- 17th century. 2020-09-21 Content of 'availability' element changed when EEBO Phase 2 texts came into the public domain 2007-12 Assigned for keying and markup 2008-01 Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2008-02 Sampled and proofread 2008-08 Rekeyed and resubmitted 2009-06 Sampled and proofread 2009-06 Text and markup reviewed and edited 2009-09 Batch review (QC) and XML conversion
The Maids Chaſtity that is troubled in mind, Againſt young-Mens inconſtancy, who proveth unkind: She gives warning to all Maidens that are in the Row, To take heed of falſe Young Men whereſoere they go. To a pleaſant new Tune.

YOu young maids that would live chary, And live ſingle and not marry, Nor contract your ſelves to none, For the Maid is the beſt that lies alone. Cupid, Cupid, thou haſt done me wrong, I have been thy ſervant now too long; My heart was never free from care, Since I was intangled in thy ſnare. In thy ſnare I have been fettered, And often have my buſineſſe letted, In following after Venus train But the Maid is the beſt that lies alone. Young men they will cog and lye, Maidens they may weep & cry Truth & Conſcience they uſe none, But the Maid is the beſt that lies alone. In this breaſt a heart I bear, Tis none of mine I wiſh it were Once it was mine, if I could have kept it, But now where it is, 'tis not reſpected. Now I hope to have my heart again, And keep it faſt from Venus Chain, Lock it in this Breaſt of my own But the Maid is the beſt that lies alone. VVhen I have gain'd it ſafe agen Then I am free from all young men, And never like to make this moan, But live a ſingle Maid alone. Love is a torment who can abide it, VVho better knows then them that has try'd I count her but for a mad woman ſtill, That ſeeks to humor a young mans will.

YOung men they be much blinded, Only to know a maidensmind Maids do not believe them if they ſwear Leaſt after they leave you in a ſnare. But try their hearts if that you can Before that you love any man: Love is fond & fickle ſtill Then do not humor a young mans will. If a Lover be humored in his condition, Then he doth plead with a ſtrong commiſſion To get his intention if he can The maid is the beſt that lies alone. For in lying alone ther's no harm taken, And being of an unconſtant Love forſaken, Its better then Gold or Silver ſtore, If that ſhe doth never ſee him more. A maid that lives in an honeſt carriage Muſt be careful in her marriage Young men are ſo deceitful grown, The Maid is the beſt that lies alone. True Lovers Knot may ſoon be ty'd, And a maid too ſoon may be made a Bride, That's not all in concluſion ſhown But the Maid is the beſt that lies alone. There is many things for to conſider If a man & a woman go together: If Love be wanting between them twain She had better ſtill to lye alone. VVhen they come to a maid a wooing They make no conſcience of their doing But uſe all the deceit they can But the Maid is the beſt that lies alone. There are falſe young men in my mind Some proves croſs, & ſome proves kind I will not condemn them all for one The Maids are beſt that lye alone. Therefore I adviſe you conſider my Song I write to maids, I'le do them no wrong And ſtill I do tell you every one The Maid is the beſt that lies alone.

Printed for R. H. & J Williamſon in Cannon ſtreet and at the Bible on London-Bridge.