A PEPYSIAN GARLAND - online book

Black-letter Broadside Ballads Of The years 1595-1639

	61 Tis not otherwise Pepys, i, 394, B.L., four woodcuts, four columns. Perhaps the point of view of the average married man is well stated here, though possibly too much stress is laid on the mere physical comforts that attend marriage. After the many ballads in which that sacrament is abused, the present defence of marriage is a bit refreshing. From the opening lines it is evident that this song is a reply to some doleful ditty in which a young married man laments his loss of liberty and his never-ending woes. The printer was no doubt G[eorge] Bflackwall], whose publications appeared during 1626—1636. The date of 1630, accordingly, may be assumed for this ballad. For the tune see Chappell's Popular Music, 1, 380. I A Young man lately did complaine because that he was wed: And counsel'd others to abstaine from Hymeneal bed: Had years but giuen him man-like thoughts, hee'd1 not bin so vnwise, For wiues increase mans happines, then ' Tis2 not otherwise. 1 What ioy is there vpon the earth but Manage makes it more, It is to man a second birth, and openeth the doore To happines, and such delight that none but they comprize: 1 Text he'ed.                     2 Text throughout tis.
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