Glen Collection of printed music > Printed text > Popular music of the olden time > Volume 2

676
ENGLISH SONG AND BALLAD MUSIC.
PRETTY POLLY OLIVER.
This is the tune of an old ballad, entitled Polly Oliver's Ramble, -which is still
in print in Seven Dials. It commences thus : —
" As pretty Polly Oliver lay musing in bed,
A comical fancy came into her bead ;
Nor father nor motber sball make me false prove,
I'll 'list for a soldier, and follow my love."
The old song on the Pretender, beginning,
"As Perkin one morning lay musing in bed,
The thought of three kingdoms ran much in bis bead ; "
appears to be a parody on it.
The words of the following are by Lord Cantalnpe.
Smoothly, and rather slow.
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cau - tious de - sign, Toes-cape from her
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d to drown love in wine: I tried it, hut found, when I came to de
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my head, hut still love
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my heart.
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I repair'd to my Reason, entreating her aid,
She paus'd on my case, and each circumstance weigh'd ;
Then gravely pronounc'd, in return to my pray'r,
That Hebe was fairest of all that was fair.
That's a truth, replied I, I've no need to be taught,
I came for a council to find out a fault;
If that's all, quoth Reason, return as you came,
To find fault with Hebe would forfeit my name.
What hopes then, alas! of relief from my pain,
When like lightning she darts through each throbbing vein ;
My senses surpris'd, in her favour took arms,
And Reason confirms me a slave to her charms.