JOHN AND JOAN.[1]
There was a Maid the other Day,
Which in her Master's Chamber lay;
As Maidens they must not refuse,
In Yeomens Houses thus they use
In a Truckle-bed to lye,
Or another standing by:
Her Master and her Dame,
Said she shou'd do the same.
This Maid cou'd neither rest nor Sleep,
When that she heard the Bed to crack;
Her Master Captive busie was,
Her Dame cry'd out, you hurt my Back
Oh Husband you do me wrong,
You've lain so hard my Breast upon;
You are such another Man,
You'd have me do more than I can:
Tush Master, then says Joan,
Pray let my Dame alone;
What a devilish Squalling you keep,
That I can neither rest nor Sleep.
- ↑ J. S. Farmer: Merry Songs and Ballads: Privately Printed, 1897: vol.3: from Pills to Purge Melancholy (1719). A similar ballad. John and Jone, from Merry Drollerie (1661) is given by Farmer in the second volume of his work.
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