The Soldier’s Delight, or the She Voluntier

Being a True and Faithful Narative of a certain Young
Lover, who Courting a scornful Mistress, went discontented
into the Army; and she, repenting of her unkindness, to
recompense the Soldier’s affection, disguised her sex and
Listed her self Voluntier.

A young man lately lov’d a Lass, of beauy so renown’d,
That she her sexe’s glory was, and all their virtues crown’d.
The grave and envy of the Plains she singly did compriz
Still he addrest, still she disdains, and thus distrest he cryes,
And thus distrest he cryes:–
Ye Powers above, if such there be, what anger rules her breast?
She treats me so disdainfully, with sorrows so opprest,
My bleeding heart requires relief, but when I urge my suit,
And speak the language of my grief, Alas! why stands she mute?
Alas! why stands she mute?
I’le ne’r, said she, be so unkind, at least I’le speak to thee,
But pity thee that thou thy mind hast so confin’d to me;
And know, fond Swain, who ere thou art, my Love thou can’st not fear
Take wholesome counsel in good part, Learn early to despair!
Learn &c.
The scornful answer she returnd he highly did resent
He with another passion burnd and did of Love repent.
Yet indignation never cou’d Love totally controul
But still affection still renew’d And still torments his soul
And still, &c.
Then since said he my griefs are so I linger life in vain
My death shall put an end to woe least life prolong my pain.
To follow fate far nobler ’tis in going to the war
Than courting a disdainful Misse To languish in despair.
To &c.
He thus his resolution spake and bannisht quite his fear
And for his King and Countries sake he went a Voluntiere.
Quoth he my cruel fate adieu to live by killing French
Is nobler fortune of the two than court a scornful wench.
than &c.
And as for Flanders he design’d it griev’d the tender maid
That she a Love so fair and kind with hatred had repaid.
She curst her tongue that first deny’d she curst her cruel
Eyes Repented that she not comply’d and so repenting cries
and so &c.
Return she said and pitty take on her that mourns for thee
Think on thy self when for my sake thou wast in misery.
As thou desiredst when in grief to have thy grief remov’d
O send O send me some relief and let me be belov’d,
and &c.
A Soldier girt in Bandeliers clad cap a pe in red
That grieves a tender Virgin fears deserves to lose his head,
It shan’t be said among the French an Englishman at home,
Was in his Armor by a wench with kindness overcome
with kindness &c.
But when the Soldier had return’d this answer to the maid
Her kindness more vehement burnd her soul was more dismaid.
Diseases desperate must be cur’d by remedies as bad
Or else the pangs must be endured, when no cure can be had
when no cure be had.
Now her invention goes to work and all her arts conspire
To call her wandering Lover back or kindle his desire.
But hopeless to obtain the first her project their despairs
Resolves to venture on the Ark and follow to the wars
and follow &c.
She speedily was manly Rigg’d quite from the skin to skirt
Made of her hair a Perriwig & of her smock a shirt.
Instead of Quoif a hat she sought, for gown a doublet spoke
For Bodice she a waistcoat bought for Pettycoats a Cloke
for &c.
Her tenderfeet wore clouted shoes her Girdle was a Belt
Instead of Spits a Sword she chose Instead of towre a felt.
And thus being drest from top toth toe she valiantly did come
Along with Soldier to the foe upon the beat of Drum
upon the &c.
And now she is to Flanders gone with her beloved mate
So great was her affection to run so hard a fate.
You damsels all take rule by her at first be not too coy
Least through disdaining to the war your Lovers run away
your &c.
You young men all take rule by this if maidens dare do so
You shou’d much more neglect your Miss to fight a forreign foe.
For if you fight not whilst you can it will be poorly said
That the Couragious Englishman was vanquisht by a maid.

---

BBO Roud Number: 910

EEBO Proquest ID Number: 2240865310

ESTC Citation Number: R184339