Jenny, I'm not jesting

"Ah, Jenny, I'm not jesting,

Believe what I'm protesting,

And yield what I'm requesting

These seven years through."

"Ah, Lawrence, I may grieve you;

Yet, if I can't relieve you,

Sure, why should I deceive you

With words untrue?

But, since you must be courtin',

There's Rosy and her fortune,

'Tis rumoured you're consortin'

With her of late.

Or there's your cousin Kitty,

So charming and so witty,

She'd wed you out of pity,

Kind Kate."

"Fie! Jenny, since I knew you,

Of all the lads that woo you,

None's been so faithful to you,

If truth were told:

Even when yourself was dartin'

Fond looks at fickle Martin,

Till off the thief went startin'

For Sheela's gold."

"And if you've known me longest,

Why should your love be strongest,

And his that's now the youngest,

For that be worst?"

"Fire, Jenny, quickest kindled

Is always soonest dwindled,

And thread the swiftest spindled

Snaps first."

"If that's your wisdom, Larry,

The longer I can tarry,

The luckier I shall marry

At long, long last."

"I've known of girls amusing

Their minds, the men refusing,

Till none were left for choosing

At long, long last."

"Well, since it seems that marriage

Is still the safest carriage,

And all the world disparage

The spinster lone;

Since you might still forsake me,

I think I'll let you take me,

Yes! Larry, you may make me

Your own!"