A fayre portion for a fayre mayd: or, The thriftie mayd of Worstersheere who liues at London for a marke a yeare; this marke was her old mothers gift, shee teacheth all mayds how to shift. To the tune of, Gramercy penny.

A Fayre Portion for a Fayre Mayd : OR , The thriftie Mayd of Worstersheere , Who liues at London for a Marke a yeare ; This Marke was her old Mothers gift , Shee teacheth all Mayds how to shift . To the tune of , Gramercy penny ,

NOw all my Friends are dead and gone , alas what shall betide me , For I poore maid am left alone without a house to hide me : Yet still I le be of merry chéere , and haue kind welcome euery where Though I haue but a Marke a yeare , And that my mother gaue me . I scorne to thinke of pouerty , or wanting food or cloathing , I le be maintayned gallantly , and all my life-want nothing ; A frolicke minde I le alwayes beare , my pouerty shall not appeare , Though I haue but a marke a yeare , And that my mother gaue me . Though I am but a silly Wench of countrey education , Yet I am woo'd by Dutch and French , and almost euery nation : Both Spaniards and Italians sweare that with their hearts they loue me deare , Yet I haue but a Marke a yeare , And that my mother gaue me . The Welch the Irish and the Scot , since I came to the Citie , In loue to me are wondrous hot , they tell me I am pretty : Therefore to liue I will not feare , for I am sought with many a teare , Yet I haue but a Marke a yeare , And that my mother gaue me . This London is a gallant place to raise a Lasses fortune ; For I that came of simple race , braue Roarers doe importune : I little thought in Wostersheere to find such high preferment here , For I haue but a Marke a yeare , and that my mother gaue me . One giues to me perfumed Gloues , the best that he can buy me , Liue where I will I haue the loues of all that doe liue nigh me : If any new toyes I will weare , I haue them cost they ne'rs so deare , And this is for a marke a yeare , And that my mother gaue me . My fashions with the Moone I change , as though I were a Lady ▪ All quaint conceits , both new and strange , I le haue as soone as may be ; Your courtly Ladies I can féere , In cloaths but few to me come neare , Yet I haue but a Marke a yeare , And that my mother gaue me .

The second Part To the same Tune .

FRench gownes with sléeues like pudding-bags I haue at my requesting : Now I forget my countrey rags , and scorne such plaine inuesting : My old acquaintance I cashéere , and of my kin I hate to heare , Though I haue but a marke a yeare , And that my mother gaue me . My Petty-coats of Scarlet braue , of Veluet , silke and Sattine : Some students oft my loue doe craue , that speake both Gréeke and Latine , The Souldiers for me dominéere , and put the rest into great feare , All this is for a marke a yeare , And that my mother gaue me . The Precisian sincerely woes , and doth protest he loues me , Ho tires me out with Ies and noes , and to impatience moues me : Although an oath he will not sweare , to lye at no time he doth feare , All this is for a Marke a yeare , And that my mother gaue me My Coach drawne with foure Flanders mares each day attends my pleasure , The Water-men will leaue their fares to waite vpon my leasure : Two Lackies labour euery where , and at my word run farre and néere , Though I haue but a marke a yeare , And that my mother gaue me . I' th pleasant'st place the Suburbs yéelds , my lodging is prepared : I can walke forth into the fields , where beauties oft are aired ; When Gentlemen doe spy me there , some complements I 'me sure to heare , Though I haue but a marke a yeare , And that my mother gaue me . Now if my friends were liuing still , I would them all abandon , Though I confesse they lou'd me well , yet I so like of London , That farewell Dad and Mammy deare , and all my friends in Worstershire : I liue well with a Marke a yeare , Which my old mother gaue me . I would my sister Sue at home , knew how I liue in fashion , That she might vp to London come to learne this occupation : For I liue like a Lady here , I weare good cloaths and eate good cheare Yet I haue but a Marke a yeare , And that my mother gaue me . Now blessed be that happy day that I came to the Citie : And for the Carrier will I pray , before I end my Ditty . You Maidens that this Ditty heare , though meanes be short , yet neuer feare , For I liue with a Marke a yeare , Which my old mother gaue me .

M. P. FINIS .