Watty's wedding, or, The old maiden's marriage/Moll and Her Mistress

MOLL AND HER MISTRESS.

SAYS Moll to her Miſtress, I long to be marry'd,
⁠For there is great danger in too long delay;
To ſee myself ſingle, my mind is uneasy,
⁠For marriage is pleasant, I hear people ſay:
Besides, I'm fifteen, my days are a-wasting,
⁠Therefore I'm afraid lest my beauty decay;
The boys ſay they love me, in truth they're not jesting,
⁠And oh! to be marry'd if this be the way.

When I am enclos'd in the arms of my lover,
⁠He yields me much pleasure, I think I am blest;
He oftentimes kisses me over and over,
⁠He oftentimes ſqueezes me unto his breast!
He ſays that his love to me is encreasing,
⁠Those raptures of pleasure ſhall never decay,
I think it's but folly my time to be wasting,
⁠And oh! to be marry'd if this be the way.

He call'd me his jewel, his joy, and his treasure,
⁠Without me there's nothing can yield him delight;
He'll do his endeavour to keep me quite easy,
⁠And confort me always by day and by night:
Therefore I do think there is nothing a-wanting,
⁠Could I but enjoy that happy day;
And now I think it is time to be granting,
⁠And oh! to be marry'd if this be the way.

O foolish young girl, you talk to your knowledge,
⁠But little you know the danger you run;
Before you're marry'd you think you have all things,
⁠And then you want ev'ry thing else but a man:
Your husband will chide you, and ſay you are lazy,
⁠And ſwear that the tea takes the money away:
Perhaps the next morning the Landlord will crave you,
⁠You ne'er wou'd a marry'd had you known the way.

And next, to your comfort, your apron's a-riſing,
⁠And you must provide for the crying out;
Blankets, and pins, and tapes must be wanting,
⁠Your clothes must be broken to make baby-clouts;
And nursing and ſpinning is all your employment,
⁠And twenty things more to do all the day;
This is the fruit of your wedlock enjoyment,
⁠You ne'er wou'd a marry’d had you known the way.

Says Moll to her Miſtress, I pray you give over;
⁠For I am resolved for to take a man;
The richest ſhip that ever was loaden,
⁠Muſt take her chance of both rock and ſand;
Therefore I am fully reſolved to marry,
⁠Let you and every one ſay what they may;
I long for to taste of wedlock enjoyments,
⁠And oh! to be marry'd if this be the way.