1.
Joan, to the maypole away let us on;
Time is swift and will be gone.
See how the wenches hie to the green,
Where they know they shall be seen.
Bess, Moll,
Kate, Doll:
These want no loves to attend them;
Hodge, Dick,
Tom, Nick:
Brave dancers, who can amend them?
2.
Joan, shall we have now a hay or a round
Or some dance that is new-found?
Lately I was at a masque in the court,
Where I saw of every sort:
Many a dance
Made in France,
Many a brawl and many a measure;
Gay coats,
Sweet notes,
Brave wenches; O ’twas a treasure!
3.
But now, methinks these courtly toys
Us deprive of better joys:
Gown made of grey and skin soft as silk,
Breath as sweet as morning milk.
O these
More please:
These hath my Joan to delight me;
False wiles,
Court smiles:
None of these hath Joan to despite me.