28. Balow

BALOW, my babe, lie still and sleep!
It grieves me sore to see thee weep.
Wouldst thou be quiet I’se be glad,
Thy mourning makes my sorrow sad:
Balow my boy, thy mother’s joy,	5
Thy father breeds me great annoy—
Balow, la-low!

When he began to court my love,
And with his sugred words me move,
His faynings false and flattering cheer	10
To me that time did not appear:
But now I see most cruellye
He cares ne for my babe nor me—
Balow, la-low!

Lie still, my darling, sleep awhile,	15
And when thou wak’st thoo’le sweetly smile:
But smile not as thy father did,
To cozen maids: nay, God forbid!
But yet I fear thou wilt go near
Thy father’s heart and face to bear—	20
Balow, la-low!

I cannot choose but ever will
Be loving to thy father still;
Where’er he go, where’er he ride,
My love with him doth still abide;	25
In weal or woe, where’er he go,
My heart shall ne’er depart him fro—
Balow, la-low!

But do not, do not, pretty mine,
To faynings false thy heart incline!	30
Be loyal to thy lover true,
And never change her for a new:
If good or fair, of her have care
For women’s banning ‘s wondrous sare—
Balow, la-low!	35

Bairn, by thy face I will beware;
Like Sirens’ words, I’ll come not near;
My babe and I together will live;
He’ll comfort me when cares do grieve.
My babe and I right soft will lie,	40
And ne’er respect man’s crueltye—
Balow, la-low!

Farewell, farewell, the falsest youth
That ever kist a woman’s mouth!
I wish all maids be warn’d by me	45
Never to trust man’s curtesye;
For if we do but chance to bow,
They’ll use us then they care not how—
Balow, la-low!

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