When Phoebus first did Daphne love

When Phoebus first did Daphne love
And no means might her favour move
He crav'd the cause. The cause, quoth she
Is, I have vow'd virginity
Then in a rage he sware, and said
Past fifteen none but one should live a maid

If maidens then shall chance be sped
Ere they can scarcely dress their head
Yet pardon them, for they be loath
To make good Phoebus break his oath
And better 'twere a child were born
Than that a god should be foresworn

By this they get sweet mother's name
And are not barren which were blame
Besides by this procure they can
The world a child, the prince a man
Now Stoick tell me if in this
That anything be done a-miss