XIII.

DULCINA.

Given from two ancient copies, one in black-print, in the Pepys Collection: the other in the Editor's folio MS. Each of these contained a stanza not found in the other. What seemed the best readings were selected from both.

This song is quoted as very popular in Walton's _Compleat Angler_, chap. ii. It is more ancient than the ballad of _Robin Good-Fellow_ printed below, which yet is supposed to have been written by Ben. Jonson.

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[The Milk-woman in Walton's _Angler_ says, "What song was it, I pray you? Was it _Come shepherds deck your heads_, or _As at noon Dulcina rested_?"

In the Registers of the Stationers' Company, under date of May 22, 1615, there is an entry transferring the right of publication from one printer to another of _A Ballett of Dulcina to the tune of_ _Forgoe me nowe, come to me sone_. Mr. Chappell also tells us that _Dulcina_ was one of the tunes to the "Psalms and Songs of Sion, turned into the language and set to the tunes of a strange land," 1642.

The editors of the Folio MS., more scrupulous than the bishop, have not printed this song in its proper place, but have turned it into the Supplement of _Loose and Humourous Songs_ (p. 32). The third stanza of the MS. beginning

"Words whose hopes might have enjoyned"

is not printed in the present copy. The third stanza here is the fourth of the MS., and the fourth stanza is not in the MS. at all.

Cayley and Ellis attribute this song to Raleigh, but without sufficient authority.]

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As at noone Dulcina rested In her sweete and shady bower; Came a shepherd, and requested In her lapp to sleepe an hour. But from her looke 5 A wounde he tooke

Soe deepe, that for a further boone The nymph he prayes. Wherto shee sayes, Forgoe me now, come to me soone. 10

But in vayne shee did conjure him To depart her presence soe; Having a thousand tongues to allure him, And but one to bid him goe: Where lipps invite, 15 And eyes delight, And cheekes, as fresh as rose in june, Persuade delay; What boots, she say, Forgoe me now, come to me soone? 20

He demands what time for pleasure Can there be more fit than now: She sayes, night gives love that leysure, Which the day can not allow. He sayes, the sight 25 'Improves delight. 'Which she denies: Nights mirkie noone In Venus' playes Makes bold, shee sayes; Forgoe me now, come to mee soone. 30

But what promise or profession From his hands could purchase scope? Who would sell the sweet possession Of suche beautye for a hope? Or for the sight 35 Of lingering night Foregoe the present joyes of noone? Though ne'er soe faire Her speeches were, Forgoe me now, come to me soone. 40

How, at last, agreed these lovers? Shee was fayre, and he was young: The tongue may tell what th'eye discovers; Joyes unseene are never sung. Did shee consent, 45 Or he relent; Accepts he night, or grants shee noone; Left he her a mayd, Or not; she sayd Forgoe me now, come to me soone. 50