Ballad—in Christmas Gambols

Come round me ye lasses, and lend me an ear, The almanack says ninety-six is leap year, Leap year, cries our Margery, well numskull, what then? Why, wounds, don't the women go courting the men? And they'll make the best on't, and not stand hum drum, For they won't get another for eight years to come; Come ladies a truce to each maidenish fear, Kiss the fellows, and wish them a happy new year.

See the sly little toads how they ogle and grin, That's right, squeeze his hand, chuck un under the chin, See that shrimp with that giant there, prattle and toy, You're a devilish fine fellow—nay don't be so coy; Then she smirks, and she pats him, and so this the trade is, 'Cod these leap years be nice times for the ladies, That's right, how they snigger, and simper, and leer, Kiss 'em up girls, and wish 'em a happy new year.

Then as there's no Jack but a finds out his Jill, Who knows, hey, but I may of love get my fill, Let 'em come, who's afraid! wounds, as stout as they be, I should like for to catch them a courting of me: She that chuses me out as a person of taste, I can tell her will find me not very shame-faced, What dost tell me, says I, that thou lovest me, my dear, Ge's a buss then, and wish me a happy new year.

But, wounds, while I jokes so in this merry fit, I maunt let my tongue, d'ye see, run 'sore my wit; For, however, one may laugh 'bout the girls and be free, They have more sense by half in these matters than we: Give a woman her way, and I'll wager upon her, She leaves foppery and nonsense to chuse truth and honour, And he may well brag, and his head high up rear, Whom she kisses, and wishes a happy new year.

Then as each British beauty be constant and loyal, So much do they doat on his majesty royal, That now they got leave for to do what they pleases, 'Cod if 'twere not for shame they'd all kiss un to pieces; So as loyalty, truth, and each generous duty, Be learnt to we men folks by sweetness and beauty, Let us not be out done in our own proper spear, But let love merit love, and each year be leap year.