APPENDIX. 119 



THE MILKE-MAID'S LIFE. 



TO A CURIOUS NEW TUNE, CALLED " THE MILKE-MAID's DUMPS. 



[This is the ballad referred to in our introduction to the preceding, as 

 naving had eight lines quoted from it by Walton in his " Angler" (p. 152, 

 edit. ISOS). They form the conclusion of our sixth stanza, but Walton 

 either printed from a different copy to that we have used, or he altered one 

 of the lines. He does not state who was the author, but the initials at the 

 end of the Roxburghe broadside show that it was by Martin Parker. Both 

 this and the last ballad were written to the same tune, which in one case 

 is called " the Milkmaid's, &c.," and in the other " the Milkmaid's Dumps :" 

 a " dump" was a species of dance, as well as poem (Collier's Shakspere, 

 vi., 47S). The ensuing, like the foregoing, ballad was " Printed at Lon- 

 don for T. Lambert ;" and to the title of " The Milke-Maid's Life," is added 

 the following couplet, 



" A pretty new ditty composed and pend, 

 The praise of the Milking paile to defend." 



The last stanza but one proves that the ballad was written before " the 

 downfal of May-games," under the Puritans. — Ibid.'\ 



You rural goddesses, 



that woods and fields possesse, 

 Assist me with your skill, 

 That may direct my quill 



more jocundly to expresse 

 The mirth and delight. 

 Both morning and night, 



on mountaine or in dale, 

 Of them who chuse 

 This trade to use. 

 And through cold dewes 

 Do never refuse 



to carry the milking payle. 



