The Valiant Maid

All you maids that love to play with Cupid’s chain,
Tis of a brisk young maiden who was sporting on the plain,
It was for her true love Willy she did sport and play,
A press gang overtook them & prest her love away.
In floods of tears she mourn’d for him both night and day,
Crying I’m undone for ever with the losing of my dear
I wish the French may kill them that prest my love away,
And send their bodies sinking for ever in the sea.
She dressed like a duke with a star upon her breast,
And swore she kill the captain if he did her mistrust,
Her life she boldly ventur’d for her true love so brave
Resolved to be his wife or the sea to be her grave.
This ship was just a sailing when she came to the sea,
She called out for the captain before they sail’d away,
The officers stood cap in hand this noble duke to see,
Expecting she was come their commander for to be.
So when she saw her true love she took him by the hand,
Saying this is my servant man and him I do demand,
For he has robbed me of my store I will try him for his life.
She ventur d life & fortune all for to be his wife.
So then she had him fetter’d she handed him along
Saying I will conduct him all to some prison strong
The young man begged for liberty to plough the raging seas,
I know I never robbed any man my Lord in all my days.
So when she had him safe away she sat down in the shade
Then she began to ask him if he knew such a maid,
His eyes began to flow with tears when hearing of her name
My dear said she don’t troubled be, for sure I am the same.
With everlasting joy they flew into each others arms
Tis everlasting pleasure while kissing of her charms
My dear how could you benture your sweet and precious life
Then to the church they went and so made her his wife.

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Other website link: National Library of Scotland