National Ballad and Song/Volume 5/Why do you Trifle

by unknown author

Layout 2

“WHY DO YOU TRIFLE? FY UPON’T!”

[c. 1610–20]

[From Rawlinson MS., B 35, leaf 54, back].

Why do you trifle? fy upon’t, fie upon’t, fie upon’t, fy upon’t!
Why do you trifle? fy upon’t!
Those are not men but idle drones,
That stay till ladyes make their mones;
tis pity but they lost their [stones];
fy upon’t, fy upon’t, fy upon’t!
Tis pity but they lost their labour.

He shall not do so that I love, that I love, that I love,
He shall not do so that I love;
But so soone as I am sick,
Shall never faile me in the nick,
To give me proof of his good [prick]
That I love, that I love, that I love,
To give me proofe of his good meaning.

Nor can it be to thick and long, thick and long, thick and long,
If any of you chance to feare
That I am to young,—pray look you here;
Few maids can show you so much [haire]
Thick and long, thick and long, thick and long,
Few maids can shew you so much faivour.

Faine would I goe both up and downe, up and downe, up and downe,
No child is fonder of the Gig
Than I to dance a merry jig;
Faine would I try how I could [fig]
Up and downe, up and downe, up and downe,
Faine would I try how I could caper.

Come let us do then, you know what, you know what, you know what,
Why should not I endure the brunt
As well as other maids have don’t?
I’m sure I have as good a [cunt],
You know what, you know what, you know what,
[I’m sure I] have as good a courage.

Sweet, if you love me then agen, then agen, then agen,
Had ever maiden that good luck
For to incounter the first pluck?
O ’twould invite a maid to [fuck]
Then agen, then agen, then agen,
O ’twould invite a maid to mary.