The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #58307 Message #1782498
Posted By: Jim Dixon
13-Jul-06 - 06:50 AM
Thread Name: Stanza of 'Streams of Lovely Nancy'?
Subject: Lyr Add: YOUNG-MAN'S LAMENTATION (from Bodleian)
Bodleian Library Broadside Ballads contains a broadside dated "between 1683 and 1696" called THE YOUNG-MAN'S LAMENTATION - Douce Ballads 2(261b). Unfortunately, the on-line image is mostly illegible, but a transcription already exists in an article at Musical Traditions. I have copied it here. (I modernized the spelling and punctuation.) It has 4 lines which resemble yours. I have marked them in boldface:
THE YOUNG-MAN'S LAMENTATION His Passionate Complaint of his Unconstant Lover; Together with his Resolution to leave her who scornfully slighted him. To an Excellent New Tune, or, Over Hills and High Mountains Licensed according to Order.
1. Meeting's a pleasure, But parting's a grief. An unconstant lover Is worse than a thief. A thief he can rob me And take what I have; But an unconstant lover Will bring me to the grave.
2. When fancy is grounded And rooted beside, The lover is wounded As soon as denied. Many torments are bleeding To increase his pain, And the lover lies bleeding By the darts of disdain.
3. This is my condition, I needs must confess. With humble submission I have made my address. In her charms I delighted More than gold, I declare; Yet am scornfully slighted For the love which I bear.
4. I value not treasure, The rich golden ore. There's joy, love and pleasure Which I dearly adore. But alas! That sweet blessing I may not enjoy, I all sorrows possessing, Which my life will destroy.
5. Like a ship on the ocean, I am tossed to and fro, From the height of promotion, To the depth of sad woe. While the billows are roaring In a tempest of grief, I the fates am imploring But can find no relief.
6. Of a false-hearted lover I must needs complain. To my grief I discovered That my sighs are in vain, Having moved her to pity, With tears in my eyes, While that sorrowful ditty She would scorn and despise.
7. To think that my jewel Should torture me so, In love's flaming fuel, With a fever I glow. She's more than ungrateful, Unconstant, unkind, To her dear loyal lover Like the wavering wind.
8. In her cheeks blushing roses With lilies appear, Where Cupid reposes As her charms I draw near. I account it my duty Her perfection to prize. She's a phoenix for beauty; Was she constant likewise!
9. If her heart was not ranging, She should soon be my bride, But alas she is changing And turns with the tide. Having ruined many By her false heart alone, She's not constant to any But can love more than one.
10. Since I find out her folly, I'll no longer repine, But will strive to be jolly With a glass of rich wine. No longer about her Will I troubled be. I can now live without her. Let her go, farewell she.
11. Though I am forsaken, Yet she is forsworn; Yet she is mistaken If she think that I'll mourn. I'll set as slightly by her, As e'er she did me, And for ever will deny her. Let her go, farewell she.
Printed for P. Busby, J. Deacon, J. Blare and J. Back.