[4]
What can be so strong in the heart as true love,
When deck'd in beauty by the powers above,
It never will flatter, dissemble, nor fly,
With my love I'll live, with my true love I'll die.
THE FEMALE SOLDIER.
WHEN I was a young girl, at the age of fifteen;
I was courted by a young man most rare to be seen;
But now to my grief, for a soldier he’s gone,
And what to do for my love I will make known.
I dress’d myself up in some men’s array,
And went to the captain without more delay,
Where I listed myself for a drummer so strong,
In the very same regiment where my love belong’d.
The very next morning the route it came,
That the same regiment to Jamaica was bound;
And over the plain as we marched along,
I charmed my love by the sound of the drum.
Beat up, my little drummer, the colonel reply’d,
You shall be advanc’d from a drummer this day;
The very next day a lieutenant I was made,
For to handle my pen I never was afraid.
The very next day my love’s trial came on,
For missing of his duty, as you may understand,
When I begg’d his forgiveness & did him embrace,
And before the whole reg’ment I op’ned my case.
The very next morning my love and I were wed,
The colonel made him lieutenant in my stead;
And now, for my courage, as plain you may see,
This has been the upmaking of my love and me.
