Belfast maid's lamentation for the loss of her sweetheart/Gentlemen Rakes of the Town

GENTLEMEN RAKES OF THE TOWN.

DID not you hear of the gentlemen rakes,
And hear the ſweet cry of beer, wine & cakes,
Whilſt we in blue aprons, and clean linen gowns,
For to view all the gentlemen rakes of the town.

⁠The goodman comes hame to drive away care,
take good fellow away to the fair;
Some are too baſhful, and ſome are too bold,
Young womens' intentions are not to be told.
⁠⁠Whilſt we in blue aprons, etc.

⁠There's Millers, there's Oats, there's Bully & all,
There's Lee, and there's Harper, the devil and all,
Whilſt we are a viewing the gentlemen rakes,
And hear the ſweet cry of beer, wine and cakes,
⁠⁠Whilſt we in blue aprons, etc.

⁠Our pinners well lac'd, with fine round ear'd caps,
We dreſs ourſelves nice to tempt our chaps,
With rings & round ribbons to ſwell out our pride,
And our boſoms all naked to tempt you beſide.
⁠⁠Whilſt we in blue aprous, etc.

⁠On our arms hangs a basket of fruit that is nice,
Our gentlemens' palate to pleaſe in a trice,
Let it be at a maſquerade, play-houſe, or ball,
We lately frequented, likewiſe Fox-hail.
⁠⁠Whilſt we in blue aprons, etc.