The Maidens Complaint for the Loss of her Love- (Lon) c.1750 broadside
[From British Library (ref. Gardham: BL 14.11.17, 1880 b.29, No imprint, 18th century, next BS no.5 dated 1743.) 1 sheet; 1/40. 1880.d.29(4) A song. REFERENCE: ESTCT8451.
The text of The Maidens Complaint for the Loss of her Love, a link between the broadsides of the 1600s (c.1686, "Nelly's Constancy," "Jealous Lover") and late 1700s Alehouse/Brisk Young Lover, was recently obtained (2017) from the British Library (BL 14.11.17, 1880 b.29) by Steve Gardham who emailed it to me. Dated c.1750, the broadside is titled, "The Maiden's Complaint for the Loss of her Love" with no imprint (London) and appears with 2 cuts at the top of sheet and this woodcut: an 18th century gent with wine glass in hand surrounded with flowers, along side a lady with plants. It's given here in full with The Answer, a second part (a response by her lover) which is not significant to the Died for Love study.
This broadside develops in more detail the significance of "gold and silver" as established by the c.1686 broadsides "Nelly's Constancy" and "The Jealous Lover." The "gold and silver" stanza is later found in "Alehouse," "Brisk Young Lover" and "Butcher Boy." The "gold and silver" in the later variants of "Died for Love" are possessed by his new lover while in "The Maiden's Complaint" they are possessed by her lover, distinction that should not be overlooked. Stanzas 6 and part of 3 of "The Maiden's Complaint" are also found in C, Rambling Boy.
R. Matteson 2017]
4. THE Maidens Complaint for the Loss of her Love
To a new Tune:
(Broadside sheet has 2 cuts at top of sheet: 18th century gent with wine glass in hand surrounded with flowers, beside a lady with plants.)
My love has left me, Dear it is true,
Sorrow has taken me, what shall I do,
My love has left me, I know not for why,
Because my love has more Means than I.
How often has your false tongue me told,
You did not court me for Silver nor Gold,
Oh! but if I had Gold in store,
You would court me now as you did before.
Gold it will waste, and Silver fly,
In Time you will have as little as I,
As little as I, that most surely will be,
For I would go thro’ the World with thee.
Will you be gone from me my Dear,
And leave me behind you in Sorrow and Care,
And is it so, that you care not for me,
Who would go thro’ the World with thee.
My Love he is as bright as the Day,
His Breath is as sweet as the Flowers in May,
’Tis his pretty Looks that entices me,
My Dear, I’ll go thro’ the World with thee.
My father will give me House and Land,
So that I’ll be at his Command,
But at his Command I never will be,
My Dear, I’ll go thro’ the World with thee.
But if you do not stay too long,
Disdainful Love will prove too strong,
’Twill prove too strong Love fancy me,
And I will go thro’ the World with thee.
Some will say that Love is blind,
But follow me Love and you shall find,
That Love was never so blind in me,
For Love I’ll go thro’ the World with thee.
If I had Gold, you should have Part,
As I have none, you have my Heart,
You have my Heart, if I had thee,
My Dear I’ll go thro’ the World with thee.
Farewel my sweet Jewel thou lovely Youth,
I find in your Words no Manner of Truth,
I’ll bid you adieu, you never will agree,
Tho’ I could travel the World with thee.
THE ANSWER
What makes my Charmer to complain,
Was I not always a faithful Swain,
Those pretty Words which entice me,
My Dear, I’ll venture my Life for thee.
Come to my Arms, thou lovely Maid,
Your Beauty and Kindness me has betray’d,
Your Looks are so sweet, and Smiles are so free;
My Dear I can marry none but thee.
Tho my Father and Mother flounce and fleer,
Tho my Sister and Brother at me do jeer,
Because that I wed you in poverty,
Yet Nanny I’ll marry with none but thee.
And if that my Father and Mother should chide,
When such a sweet Beauty is made my Bride,
Then sweet Love and Peace our comfort shall be,
For Nanny I’ll travel the World with thee.
If Lads can disdain when lasses are free,
If cruel they are when kind they should be,
My Love she shall find no such Lover of me,
For Nanny I’ll travel the World with thee.
For Gold and Silver it is but Dross,
The want of thee is the far greatest Loss;
Why should you make such Moan for me,
My Dear, I’ll venture my Life for thee.
Let us in Nuptial Marriage be join’d,
My Dear, you for ever shall be mine,
For Gold and Silver will ne’er us part,
’Tis you have wounded my poor Heart.
Now you see these that Lovers are true,
Such loyal Hearts there are but few,
Were you to search the whole World round,
Such two faithful Lovers scarce e’er were found.
FINIS