But, caught once, beware then ;
For then begins your woe!
They will look babies in your eyes,
And speak so fair as fair may be;
But trust them in no wise!

Example take by me!'

'Fie! Fie!' said the Threstlecock,
'You are much to blame,

For one man's fault, all men to blot!
Impairing their good name.

Admit you were usèd amiss,
By that ungentle King;

It follows not, that you, for this,

Should all men's honours wring!

There be good; and there be bad!

And some are false; and some are true!

As good choice is still had

Amongst us men, as you!

Women have faults as well as we!

Some say, for our one, they have three! Then smite not! nor bite not!

When you as faulty be.'

'Peace! peace!' 'quoth MADGE Howlet then,

Sitting out of sight,

'For women are as good as men;

And both are good alike!'

'Not so!' said the little Wren,
'Difference there may be !

The cock alway[s] commands the hen;
Then men shall go for me!'

Then Robin Redbreast, stepping in,
Would needs take up this tedious strife;
Protesting, True loving

In either, lengthened life!

If I love you; and you love me;
Can there be better harmony!
Thus ending contending,

Love must the umpire be!'

Fair Nymphs! Love must be your guide!
Chaste, unspotted, Love

To such as do your thralls betide,
Resolved, without remove.

Likewise, jolly Shepherd Swains!
If you do respect

The happy issue of your pains;

True Love must you direct!

You hear the birds contend for love!

The bubbling springs do sing sweet love!
The mountains and fountains

Do echo nought but love!

[all!

Take hands, then, Nymphs and Shepherds
And to this river's music's fall,

Sing, 'True Love and Chaste Love
Begins our Festival!'

ARMSTRONG'S GOOD NIGHT!

THIS night is my departing night;
For here nae langer must I stay!
There's neither friend, nor foe, o' mine,
But wishes me away!

What I have done, thro' lack of wit,
I never, never, can recall!

I hope ye're a' my friends as yet;

Good Night! and joy be with you all!

ART thou poor; yet hast thou golden slumbers?
O, sweet content!

Art thou rich; yet is thy mind perplexed?
O, punishment!

Dost thou laugh, to see how fools are vexed
To add to golden numbers, golden numbers?
O, sweet content! O, sweet content!

Work apace! apace! apace! apace!
Honest labour bears a lovely face!

Then Hey noney, noney! Hey noney, noney!

Canst drink the waters of the crispèd spring?

O, sweet content!

[tears? Swim'st thou in wealth; yet sink'st in thine own O, punishment!

Then he that patiently want's burden bears,
No burden bears; but is a King! a King!
O, sweet content! O, sweet content!

Work apace! apace! apace! apace! &c.

THE FIRST THREE-MEN'S SONG.

O, THE month of May! the merry month of May! So frolic! so gay! and so green! so green! so green! O, and then did I, unto my True Love say,

'Sweet PEG, thou shalt be my Summer's Queen!

'Now the nightingale! the pretty nightingale! The sweetest singer in all the forest's quire, [tale! Entreats thee, sweet PEGGIE! to hear thy True Love's Lo, yonder she sitteth; her breast against a briar! 'But O, I spy the cuckoo! the cuckoo! the cuckoo! See, where she sitteth! Come away, my Joy! Come away, I prithee! I do not like the cuckoo

Should sing, where PEGGIE and I kiss and toy!' O, the month of May! the merry month of May! &c.

THE SECOND THREE-MEN'S SONG.
COLD 's the wind, and wet 's the rain;
Saint HUGH be our good speed!
Ill is the weather that bringeth no gain;
Nor helps good hearts in need!

Troll the bowl! the jolly nut-brown bowl!
And here, kind mate, to thee!

[As often as there be men to drink.]

Let's sing a dirge for Saint HUGH's soul;
And drown it merrily!

Down a down! Hey down a down!
Hey derry derry down a down!
Ho, well done, to let me come!
Ring compass, gentle joy!

[At last, when all have drunk, this verse.]

Cold 's the wind, and wet 's the rain; &c.