  Northumberland lads are handsome squads, And female affiance must share; If you wish to wed, betroth to bed, One cull’d with caution and care. I here make free—give ear to me, The county I’ve scan’d around; So from the mass select a lass, Where virtue and beauties abound. The lasses of TWEED are deft indeed, Their garlands give such grace: The lasses of TILL are sprightly still, In figure, in fashion, and face. The lasses of BREMISH look rather squeamish, Embellish’d with elegant ease; The lasses of ALE, for plumage prevail, Their pomp and appendages please. The lasses of ALWIN obey fashion’s call, when A princess prescribes a new dress; The lasses of REED, each hair-braids her head, And apes alamode to excess. The lasses of WENSBECK, like dignify’d dames deck, And their address quite debonair; The lasses of FOUNT, though pronounc’d paramount, Can scarce with these comits compare. The lasses of PONT, to decorate don’t Soar yet in the sphere of extremes; The lasses of ERRING, on fashions conferring, The decent most dext’rous deem. The lasses of TYNE, who peerlessly shine, Are mirrors of modesty too: The lasses of COQUET put all in their pocket, Go all to Coquet and woo! So take my advice, tour there in a trice, These provident paragons view; So splendid and pretty, so worthy, and witty, You’ll never have reason to rue. |
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