Volume 5 — The Lass of Lynn’s sorrowful Lamentation for the Loss of her Maiden-Head.

[Listen]

I Am a young Lass of Lynn, Who often said thank you too; My Belly’s now almost to my Chin, I cannot tell what to do. My being so free and kind, Does make my Heart to rue; The sad Effects of this I find, And cannot tell what to do. My Petticoats which I wore, And likewise my Aprons too; Alass, they are all too short before, I cannot, &c. Was ever young Maid so crost, As I who thank’d him too: For why, my Maiden-head is lost, I cannot tell what to do. In sorrowful sort I cry’d, And may now for ever rue; The Pain lies in my Back and Side, I cannot tell what to do. Alass I was kind and mild, But now the same I rue; Having no Father for my Child, I cannot, &c. I took but a Touch in jest, Believe me this is true; Yet I have proved, I protest, And cannot, &c. He crav’d my Virginity, And gave me his own in lieu; In this I find I was too kind, And cannot, &c. Each Damsel will me degrade, And so will the young Men too; I’m neither Widow, Wife, nor Maid, I cannot, &c. A Cradle I must provide, A Chair and Posset too; Nay, likewise twenty Things beside, I cannot, &c. When I was a Maiden fair, Such Sorrows I never knew; But now my Heart is full of Care, I cannot, &c. Oh what will become of me, My Belly’s as big as two; ’Tis with a Two-legg’d Tympany, I cannot tell what to do. You Lasses that hear my Moan, If you will your Joys renew; Besure, while Married, lye alone, Or else you at length may rue. I came of as good a Race, As most is in Lynn’s fair Town; And cost a great deal bringing up, But a little Thing laid me down.