The Famous Woman Drummer:
Or, The Valiant proceedings of a Maid which was [deep] in Love with a Souldier, and how she went with him to the wars; and also of many brave actions that she performed, after he had made her his wife: that here be exprest in this ensuing Ditty.
Of a Maiden that was deep in love with a Souldier brave & bold sir,
I’le tell you here as true a tale, as ever hath been told, Sir;
And what brave actions she perform’d, after she was his Wife, Sir;
And how she did behave her selfe, to save her Husband’s life, Sir;
She marcht with him, in wet and dry, in Winter and in Summer,
For he was then a Musketier, and she became a Drummer.
When first this couple fell in love, a bargain she did make, sir,
That when that he had need of her, she would not him forsake, sir;
And so they went for two Comrades, most lovingly together,
And plaid their parts most actively, like two Birds of one feather.
She marcht with him, in wet and dry, in Winter, &c.
She had got man’s apparel on, gay doublet and brave hose, sir;
And manfully she beat her Drum, her enemies to oppose, sir;
And she was daintily bedeckt, according to her Colours:
And she was like a man indeed, just to great Mars his followers.
She marcht with him, in wet and dry, &c.
They have been both in Ireland, in Spain, and famous France, sir,
Where lustily she beat her Drum, her honour to advance, sir,
Whilst Cannons roar’d and bullets flye, as thick as hail from sky, sir
She never fear’d her forraign Foes, when her Comrade was nigh, sir;
She stood the brunts in head and cold, in winter and in summer,
Her Husband was a Muskettier, and she was then a Drummer.
In every place where she did come, she shew’d herself so valiant;
And few men might compare with her, her actions were so gallant;
She manage could her sword full well, and to advance a pike, sir;
But for the beating of a Drum, you seldome saw the like, sir.
In frost and snow, in wet and dry, in winter and in summer,
Her Husband was a Muskettier, and she a famous Drummer.
She beat with three men at one time, and won of them a wager;
And had not one strange chance befell, she would have been Drum-major,
Her body it began to swell, ahd she grew plump and jolly,
But she us’d all the means she could, whereby to hide her folly.
She marcht by day and watcht by nigh, in winter and in summer,
And still they took her for a man, she was so stout a Drummer.
In company she would merry be, and sometimes sing a song, sir,
And take Tobacco oftentimes, and drink strong Beer among, sir;
If any one had angred her, or done her any evill,
Shee’d quickly make them for to know, they were better crosse the Devil.
Near Tower-hall she quartered was, in famous London Citie,
But more strange newes I have to tell before I end my Ditty.
For she was grown so big with child, which made her fellows wonder,
And in a short time after that, poor soul! she fell asunder,
But when her painful hour approacht, (I doe not lie nor flatter,)
The women cut her codpeece-oint, to see what was the matter,
But to be brief, it came to passe, as I must tell you truly,
She was delievered of a Son, the sixteenth day of July.
The women all were kind to her, whilst that she was in labour,
Because she was a Souldier’s wife, they shew’d to her much favour.
They furnisht her with everything, as meat and drink and clothing,
For child-bed linnen and the like, they let her want for nothing.
Her husband was a Muskettier, and she a lusty Drummer,
It seems they soundly plaid their parts, in Winter and in Summer.
You Maidens all that hear this song, consider what is told here,
Concerning of this woman kind, that dearly lov’d a Souldier:
If you with Souldiers be in love, I wish you to be loyal,
For they to you will faithful prove, if you put them to the trial.
Her Husband was a Muskettier, and she a famous Drummer, &c.
For Love is such a powerful thing, if it be rightly given,
There cannot be a better gift under the copes of Heaven;
So now, brave Souldiers all, adieu! remember what is spoken,
Come buy my sings, and send them to your Sweet-hearts for a token.
Her Husband was a Muskettier, and she a warlike Drummer,
I would that I had such a mate, to walk with me this Summer.
Finis L.P.
EEBO Proquest ID Number: P3364
ESTC Citation Number: R216164