Servant. O master! if you did but hear the pedlar at the door, you would never dance again after a tabor and pipe; no, the bagpipe could not move you. He sings several tunes faster than you'll tell money; he utters them as he had eaten ballads, and all men's ears grew to his tunes.
Clown. He could never come better: he shall come in. I love a ballad but even too well; if it be doleful matter, merrily set down, or a very pleasant thing indeed, and sung lamentably.
Serv. He hath songs, for man or woman, of all sizes.... He has the prettiest love-songs for maids; so without bawdry, which is strange; with such delicate burdens of "dildos" and "fadings," "jump her and thump her"; ... "Whoop, do me no harm, good man."
L. 212.
Clo. Pr'ythee, bring him in, and let him approach singing.
Perdita. Forewarn him, that he use no scurrilous words in 's tunes.
L. 259.
Clo. [to Autolycus]. What hast here? ballads?
Mopsa. 'Pray now, buy some: I love a ballad in print, o' life, for then we are sure they are true.
Autolycus. Here's one to a very doleful tune ... [of a usurer's wife].