# Rocking of the cradle, or, Hushy-ba baby/The virgins frightened

The Wanton VIRGINS Frightened.
ALL you that delight in a jocular song, come listen unto me a while, Sir, Sir I will engage you shall not tarry long, before it will make you to smile, Sir.
Near to the town there liv'd an old man, had three pretty maids to his daughters, Of whom I shall tell such a story anon, will tickle your fancy with laughter.
The old man he had in his garden a pond,
'twas very fine summer weather, The daughters one night, they were all very fond, to go and bathe in it together.
Which they all agreed, but happ’ned to be, espy'd by a youth in the house, Sir, Who got in the garden, and climb’d up a tree, and there lay as snug as a mouse, Sir.
​The branch where he sat hung over the pond, and each puff of wind made it totter; Pleased with the thoughts, he should sit so abscond, and see them go into the water.
when the old man was safe in his bed, the daughters to the pond repair'd, Sir;
One to the other two, laughing, she said, as high as our bubbies we'll venture.
Upon the tender green grass they sat down, and they all were of delicate feature; ⟨each⟩ pull'd off her petticoats, smock and gown, no sight could ever be sweeter.
⟨Into⟩ the pond then they a dabbling went, so clean that they needed no washing; ⟨But⟩ they were all so unluckily bent like boys they began to be bathing.
⟨If⟩ any should chance to see us says one, they'd think we were goddess's of evils, and from the sight of us would quickly run, to avoid so many white devils.
This put the youth into such merry pin, he let go his hold through laughter;
and as it fell out, he fell tumbling in, and fear'd them all out of the water.
The old man by this time a noise had heard, and rose out of his bed in a fright, Sir, and comes to the door with an old rusty sword, there stood in a posture to fight, Sir.
​The daughters they all ran nimbly in, and over their dad they did founder; Who cry'd out aloud, Mercy good gentlemen, and thought they were thieves come to ⟨plunder.⟩
The noise by this time the neighbourhood hears, who came with long clubs to assist him; He said, Three bloody rogues ran up my stairs, I dare by no means to resist them.
For they all three were well clothed in buff, he saw as they shov'd in their shoulders, And black bandiliers hung before like a ruff, which made me believe they were soldiers.
The virgins their clothes in the garden had left, and keys of their trunks in their pockets; To roll them in sheets, were fain to make shift, their chests they could not.get unlockst.
At last ventur'd up these valiant young men, tho' armed with courage undaunted;
But took them for spirits, and ran back again, and swore that the house it was haunted.
As they retreated, the young man they met, come shivering in at the door, Sir, Who look'd like a rat, his clothes dripping wet, no rogue that was pump'd could look worse, Sir.
They all were amaz'd to see him come in, and asked him what was the matter? He told them the story and where he had been, which made them to burst into laughter.
​(illegible text)th the old man, O I was in a huff, ⟨And⟩ reckon'd to cut them assunder, (illegible text)oking that they had been three soldiers in buff, ⟨And⟩ come for to rifle and plunder.
(illegible text) they're my three daughters whom I do adore, (illegible text) frighted from private diversion; ⟨Therefore⟩ I put up my old rusty sword, ⟨For⟩ why should I be in a passion.
⟨The⟩ young maids that these lines revise, ⟨That⟩ go out and wash in the night; ⟨Beware⟩ of the boys that are hid in the trees, ⟨Lest⟩ that they surprise you with fright.
This work was published before January 1, 1929, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.
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