Jessie the Flower o' Dumblain/Oh! to be married if this be the way
OH! TO BE MARRIED, IF THIS BE
THE WAY.
SAYS Moll to her Miſtreſs, I long to be married.
For there is great danger in too long delay;
To ſee myſelf ſingle, my mind is uneaſy,
For manage is pleaſant, I hear people ſay:
Beſides, I am fifteen my days are a-waſting,
Therefore I'm afraid left my beauty decay:
The boys ſay they love me, in truth they’re not jeſting.
And oh? to be married if this be the way.
When I am inclos'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 ſqueeſes me unto his breaſt!
He ſays that his love to me is increaſing,
Thoſe raptures of pleaſures ſhall never decay;
I think it's but folly my time to be waſting:
And oh! to be married 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 endeavor to keep me quite eaſy,
And comfort 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 married, if this be the way.
O fooliſh young girl, you talk to your knowledge,
But little you know the danger you run;
Before you are married, you think you have all things.
And then you want every thing e’le but a man.
Your husband will chide you and ſay you are laſy,
And ſwear that the tea takes the money away:
Perhaps the next morning the landlord will crave you,
You would ne’er like to marry if you knew 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 the fruit of your wedlock enjoyment,
You would ne er like to marry if you knew the way.
Says Moll to her miſtreſſ, I pray vou give over,
For I am reſolved for to take a man;
The richeſt ſhip that ever was laden,
Muſt take her chance of both rock and ſand.
Therefore I am fully reſolved to marry.
Let you and every one lay what you may;
I long for to taste of wedlock enjoyments,
And oh to be married if this be the way.