Avowedly an Answer to John Wade's own "Amorous Betty's Delight," our present ballad would be incomplete if not preceded by the hitherto-unreprinted original ditty, which we now include :

[Roxb. Coll., iii. 124.]

Amorous BETTY'S Delight:

Dr, No Name can compare unto Sweet William.

This Maid hath chosen, she doth think, the best,

Yet other Maidens may do what they will,

Sweet William's the Man she loves, she doth protest,

And of kisses plenty he shall have his fill.

TO A NEW WEST-COUNTRY TUNE, or, The Waterman's Delight. By John Wade.

[The two cuts at the commencement are the same that appear on our p. 572. We substitute, on p. 579, a copy of the original of the lady, instead of the cut used on pp. 503, 581.]

an adaptation of one which we possess in Wit and Drollery, p. 24, 1661 (not in 1656 or 1682 editions). beginning,

The Blazing Star is soon burn'd out,

The Diamond light abide, etc.

With a slightly varying burden to its five verses, I'le rather lye alone. Compare Roxb. Coll., i. 140, "The blazing Torch is soon burnt out," entitled "A Good Wife or None:" either the Roxburghe is an elongation, or the Wit and Drollery song is a condensation, but they are virtually the same. Our impression is that the Pills song is an imitation of "The Maid's the best," and compounded from the Wit and Drollery song.

We have already given the ballad of "The Waterman's Delight" on p. 257, and being cautious to advance with safety in the settlement of dates, assigned it to 1679-80. But this must be at least six years too late; it proves to have been anterior to "Amorous Betty's Delight," and the Answer, both printed for Richard Burton, 1641-74. On our p. 260 read "Date, before 1665." Thus early because we have now found the Second Part of "The Waterman's Delight," and give it in the Appendix. It is to the same tune, is printed for J. Williamson, at the Bible in Cannon-Street, near London-Bridge (his date assigned is before 1666), and begins "You jovial Gallants, all give ear to what I shall recite."

Printed for R. Burton, at the Horse-shooe in West Smith-field.
[In Black-letter.1 Date, probably, 1641–66.]

1 Our [pig-]tail-piece is from Roxb. Coll., i. 389.

[Bagford Collection, II. 166.]

Sweet Williams Answer to Amorous

Bettys delight.

Wherein he shews his heart and mind is true,
And he will never change her for a new,
While life doth last, most faithful will I be,
'Cause amorous Betty is the Girl for me.

TO THE SAME TUNE [AS Amorous Betty's Delight], Or; The
Watermans Delight. By John Wade.

ear,

Or what greater bliss can be [than] to kiss

my joy and only Dear;

4

How happy now am I,

the days my own, I see,

Cause amorous Betty, none so pritty,

will my true Love be.

8

And since that it is so,

that she will be my Love,
Most faithfully until I dye,
and true to her will [I] prove:

BAGFORD.

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2 Q

Though sweet-hearts i've had store,
yet i'le love none but she,
Cause amorous Betty, none so pritty,
is the Girl for me.

There's pritty simpering Sue,
and Frances at the Bell,
For to give them both their due,
loves me exceeding well:
And Joan that lives i' th' Strand,
fain would my true love be.
But amorous Betty, &c.

And likewise smiling Kate
doth love my company,

And Doll my person doth not hate,
but fain would it injoy :
Mary would me imbrace,
yet i'le have none of she,

Cause amorous Betty, &c.

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