The Cavalier’s Farewell to His Mistress, Being Called to the Warrs

The following song was extracted from the MS. Diary of the Rev. John Adamson (afterwards Rector of Burton Coggles, Lincolnshire), commencing in 1658; by a correspondent of Notes and Queries, First Series, Jan. 18, 1851.

Fair Fidelia, tempt no more,
I may no more thy deity adore
Nor offer to thy shrine,
I serve one more divine
And farr more great than you:
      I must goe,
      Lest the foe
Gaine the cause and win the day.
Let’s march bravely on,
Charge ym in the van,
Our cause God’s is,
Though their odds is
      Ten to one.

Tempt no more, I may not yeeld
      Altho’ thine eyes
      A kingdome may surprize:
      Leave off thy wanton toiles,
      The high-borne Prince of Wales
Is mounted in the field,
      Where the royall gentry flocke.
         Though alone
         Nobly borne
      Of a ne’re decaying stocke.
   Cavaliers, be bold,
   Bravely keep your hold,
   He that loyters
   Is by traytors
            Bought and sold.

One kisse more, and then farewell;
         Oh no, no more,
         I prithee give me o’er,—
   Why cloudest thou thy beames?
   I see by these extreames
A woman’s heaven or hell.
   Pray the King may have his owne,
         And the Queen
         May be seen
   With her babes on England’s throne.
   Rally up your men,
   One shall vanquish ten,
   Victory, we
   Come to try thee
            Once agen.