Grace

This is a story that seemes very strange, And for my part, it doth me full perswade, My Mayden-head with some man to exchange, I will not liue in danger of a mayde: The world the flesh, the diuell tempts vs still, Ile haue a husband, I protest I will.

If I were sure none of you here would blabbe, I would euen tell you of a dreame most true, And if I lye, count me the veriest drabbe, That euer any of you saw or knewe: When a friend speakes in kindnes do not wrong her: For I can keepe it (for my life) no longer.

One night (I haue the day of moneth set downe) Because I will make serious matters sure, Me thought I went a iourney out of towne, And with a propper man I was made sure: As sure as death, me thought we were assured, And all things for the businesse were procured.

We did agree, and faith and troath did plight, And he gaue me, and I gaue him a Ring, To doe as Mistris Bride will doe at night, And I protest me thought he did the thing: The thing we stand so much vpon he tooke, And I vpon the matter bigge did looke.

Forsooth (in sadnes,) I was bigge with childe, And had a belly, (marry God forbid,) Then fell a weeping, but he laught and smil'd, And boldly said, weele stand to what we did: Fye, fye (quoth I) who euer stands I fall, Farewell my credit, maydenhead and all.

Thus as I cry'd and wept and wrong my hands, And said deare maydes and maydenhead adue, Before my face me thought my mother stands, And question'd with me how this matter grew: With that I start awake as we are now, Yet feard my dreame had bin no dreame I vow.

I could not (for my life) tell how to take it, For I was stricken in a mightie maze, Therefore if marriage come Ile not forsake it, Tis danger to liue virgin diuers wayes, I would not in such feare againe be found, Without a husband, for a thousand pound.