But as for the Brown and the Black,

they both have a notable smack :

Young women may find them loving and kind,
they'l give them whatever they lack.

The Swarthy I cannot forget;
and now to give them their desert,
They have neither Beauty nor Wit,
nor any commendable part;
And therefore Remember the word,
take no such sad sorrowful soul;
They say, They have need of a Bird,
that will give a Groat for an Owl.
But as for the Brown, &c.

Beware of the head that is Grey,

old men they will jealousie breed; And think that the wanton you play, altho' you be honest indeed.

He's chilly and cold in his blood,

and never a Tooth in his Jaw;

He'l do a young Wife no more good,

than tickle her Tale with a Straw.

But as for the Brown, &c.

The Flaxen and Grey I forbid,

with Sandy, for bad is the best;

But now I am come to the Red,

which is seven times worse than the rest,

He's full of ill humours, therefore

he stinks, let him do what he can ;

As Ramish as any old Bo[a]re:

what Woman can love such a Man?

But as for the Brown, &c. Young-men that are freckled and fair, are commonly given to lies; But black men and brown, I declare, are known to be vertuous and wise; They hate for to wrangle and brawl, they honor and nourish their Wives,

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And never will wrong them at all,

But love them as dear as their lives.

Stand up for the Brown, &c.

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Directions for Damosels.

Young Damsels of e'ry degree,

Whose Beauty does Batchelors charm,
Come buy this New Ditty of me,

good counsel can do you no harm;
Tho' formerly you have bought many,
this may keep your days free from strife,
And then it will be the best Penny

as e're you laid out in your life.

Then Hey for the Brown and the Black,
they both have a notable smack:

Young Women may find them loving and kind,
they'l give them whatever they lack.

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120

Printed for J. Deacon, at the Angel in Guiltspur-street, without Newgate.

[In Black-letter. These three woodcuts (one below). Date, 1685-88.]

The Young Man's Counsellor.-2.

Rosalind.-"Love is merely a madness, and, I tell you, deserves as well a dark house and a whip as madmen do; and the reason why they are not so punished and cured is, that the lunacy is so ordinary that the whippers are in love too. Yet I profess curing it by counsel."-As You Like It, iii. 2.

AVING felt compelled to give one "Young Man's Counsellor,"

HAV

because it was the legitimate precursor of our Roxburghe "Directions for Damosels," we now add another ditty bearing the same title. It is, however, of a very different character, being an unexceptionally moral strain, of orthodox piety and grave sententiousness. No other copy is known. It is also to a different tune (i.e. "Aim not too high," for which see Roxburghe Ballads, i. 326), agreeing with "Fortune, my Foe" (given complete in Bagford Ballads, p. 961). "Fortune my Foe, why dost thou frown on me?" was often mentioned by Shakespeare and other dramatists of his time. A favourite "Hanging tune," for verses on an execution, it suited any long narrative or expostulation.

[Roxburghe Collection, IV. 47 verso =Bright's]

The Young Man's Counsellor :

Dr,

A Guide for New Beginners.

Which, being put in practice may prove both acceptable, useful, and profitable, to all such as are beginning to Deal in the World. With directions how to order their Affairs to the glory of God; and their own benefit.

AL

LL you that to begin the World intend,
Come take instructions from a loving friend,
Some precepts I will here lay down in brief,
Which may, in time of need, yield you relief.
First, be not rash in choosing of a wife,
Least that thou dost repent thee all thy life;
A portion's good, it cannot be deny'd,

But yet be sure let virtue be thy guide.
If that too much for riches thou doest go,
By doing so thou mayest procure thy woe,
But mark the story which hath oft been told,

A virtuous wife is worth her weight in gold.
According as thy means is great and small,
Begin the world and have a care withal,
For he that aims too high before his time,

May chance to fall in offering for to climb.

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16

selling of thy wares do not exact,

But still be just to what thou doest contract:
Let not extortion ever bring a curse,

Small gains in time will make a heavy purse.
Be courteous unto all, do none disdain,
And thou thereby great benefit shall gain:
Humility will win thee many a friend,
When haughty looks do every one offend.
Unto good husbandry be thou inclin'd,
Let thy occasions busie still thy mind:
Never repent thee of thy labour past,
For thou shalt reap the benefit at last.
Be sure all sorts of gaming thou do shun,
For thereby many a man hath been undone :
'Twill make thee thy occasions to neglect,
And live in scandal, and in disrespect.
Immoderate drinking likewise see thou flee,
And count it as thy greatest enemy;
For thy imployment it will thee unfit,

And rob thee of thy reason and thy wit.

As in a Looking-glass thou mayest discern,

And from the same this Lesson thou mayest learn, That those who steep their brains in beer and wine, Do differ little from the brutish Swine.

Let thy example still before them be,

Such as may suit with pleasing modesty;
Most commonly what is by Parents shewn,
They readiest are hereafter for to own.
Likewise thy servants, see thou do direct,

That they no time their duty do neglect ;
If they be just and faithful unto thee,

The better for themselves be sure 'twill be.

At home, and eke abroad, be kind to all,

Least that into disgrace thou chance to fall;
Respect thy Neighbours, and then thou wilt find,
That unto thee, they will be free and kind.

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By following of these rules, which here are shewn,
Thou may'st be sure a happy life to own,

That every one by thy example may

Know how to govern, and how to obey.

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Thus have I shown you in my true respect,

Wherefore these precepts, pray, do not neglect;
A good beginning if you make, my friend,
And so continue, doubt not a good end.

London, Printed for Richard Hardy, at the Horse-shoe in West-Smith-Field.

[In Black-letter, with these five woodcuts. Date about 1681.]

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