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Siege of Limerick
Dance: "Siege of Limerick"
Song: "How Happy’s He", Henry Purcell (1695), originally from Joyful
Cuckoldom, as republished in Purcell Playford and the English Country Dance
vol. 2, Christine Helwig and Marshall Barron (1995)
Oh, how happy’s
he, who from business free
Can enjoy his mistress, bottle and his
friend.
Not confined to state, nor pride of the great,
Only on himself, not
others doth depend.
Chance can never vex him, faction ne’er perplex him.
If
the world goes well a bumper crowns his joy.
If it be not so, then he takes of
two,
‘til suceeding glasses thinking doth destroy.
When his noodle
reels, he to Celia steals,
And by pleasures unconfined runs o’er the night.
In
the morning wakes, a pleading farewell takes,
Ready for fresh tippling, and for
new delight.
When his table’s full, oh, then he hugs his soul
And drinking all
their healths, a welcome doth express.
When the cloth’s removed, then by all
approved,
Comes the full grace cup, Queen Anna’s good
success.
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