Hi,

Several weeks ago I received the text of a broadside from Steve Gardham that is a link between c,1686 Nelly's Constancy and Alehouse/Brisk Young Lover versions of Died for Love of the late 1700s. It is now my A version:

Aa. "The Maidens Complaint for the Loss of her Love" date c.1750. No imprint, next BS no.5 dated 1743.) From BL 14.11.17 (1880 b.29) Description: 2 cuts at top of sheet: 18thc gent with wine glass in hand surrounded with flowers, lady with plants.

It's given here in full without The Answer (see supplemental texts), a second part or response:

"The Maiden's Complaint for the Loss of her Love"

1. My love has left me, Dear it is true,
Sorrow has taken me, what shall I do,
My love has left me, I know not for why,
Because my love has more Means than I.

2. How often has your false tongue me told,
You did not court me for Silver nor Gold,
Oh! but if I had Gold in store,
You would court me now as you did before.

3. Gold it will waste, and Silver fly,
In Time you will have as little as I,
As little as I, that most surely will be,
For I would go thro? the World with thee.

4. Will you be gone from me my Dear,
And leave me behind you in Sorrow and Care,
And is it so, that you care not for me,
Who would go thro? the World with thee.

5. My Love he is as bright as the Day,
His Breath is as sweet as the Flowers in May,
?Tis his pretty Looks that entices me,
My Dear, I?ll go thro? the World with thee.

6. My father will give me House and Land,
So that I?ll be at his Command,
But at his Command I never will be,
My Dear, I?ll go thro? the World with thee.

7. But if you do not stay too long,
Disdainful Love will prove too strong,
?Twill prove too strong Love fancy me,
And I will go thro? the World with thee.

8. Some will say that Love is blind,
But follow me Love and you shall find,
That Love was never so blind in me,
For Love I?ll go thro? the World with thee.

9. If I had Gold, you should have Part,
As I have none, you have my Heart,
You have my Heart, if I had thee,
My Dear I?ll go thro? the World with thee.

10. Farewel my sweet Jewel thou lovely Youth,
I find in your Words no Manner of Truth,
I?ll bid you adieu, you never will agree,
Tho? I could travel the World with thee.

This broadside develops in more detail the significance of "gold and silver" as established by the c.1686 broadsides "Nelly's Constancy" and "The Jealous Lover." The "gold and silver" stanza is later found in "Alehouse," "Brisk Young Lover" and "Butcher Boy." The "gold and silver" in the later variants of "Died for Love" are possessed by his new lover while in "The Maiden's Complaint" they are possessed by her lover, a distinction that should not be overlooked. Stanzas 6 and part of 3 of "The Maiden's Complaint" are also found in C, Rambling Boy.

Richie