But I'm his poor shepherd, as you may fee,
And am come to beg pardon for him and for me.

Derry down, &c.

The king he turn’d him about and did smile,
Saying, thou shalt be the abbot the other while.
O no, my grace, there is no such need,
For I can ncither write nor read.

Derry down, &c.

Then four pounds a week will I give unto thee,
For this merry true jest thou hast told unto me;
And tell the old abbot when thou comeft home,
Thou hast brought him a pardon from good King John.

Derry down, &c.

1

B A L L A D XVII.

TIIE SCOTCHMAN OUTWITTED BY THE

FARMERS DAUGHTER.

С"

OLD and raw the North did blow,

Bleak in the morning early,
All the hills were hid with snow,

Cover'd with winter yearly ;
As I was riding o'er the sough,

I met with a farmers daughter,
Rosy cheeks, and a bonny brow,

Good faith my mouth did water.

Down

Down I vail'd my bonnet low,

Meaning to show my breeding ;
Sve return’d a graceful bow,

Her visage far exceeding :
I ask'd her where she was going fo foon,

And long’d to hold a parley ;
She told me, to the next market-town,

On purpose to sell her barley.

In this purse, sweet foul, said I,

Twenty pounds lies fairly,
Seek no further one to buy,

For Ise take all thy barley :
Twenty pound more fhall purchase delight,

Thy person I love so dearly,
If thou wilt lig with me all night,

And gang home in the morning early.

If forty pound would buy the globe,

This thing I would not do, fir,
Or were my friends as poor as Job,

I'd never raise 'em fo, fir;
For should you prove one night my friend,

Wefe get a young kid together,
And you'd be gone ere nine months end,

Then where should I find the father ?

Pray, what would my parents say,

If I should be so filly
To give my maidenhead away,

And lose my true love Billy?

Oh,

Oh, this would bring me to disgrace,

And therefor I say you nay, fir: And if that you would me embrace,

Pirkt marry, and then you may, fir.

I told her, I had wedded been

Fourteen years, and longer, Elfe I'd choose her for my queen,

And tie the knot more stronger.
She bid me then no farther come,

But manage my wedlock fairly,
And keep my purse for poor spouse at home,

For some other should buy her barley.

Then, as swift as any roe,

She rode away and left me ; After her I could not go,

Of joy she quite bereft me:
Thus I myself did disappoint,

For she did leave me fairly ;
My words knock'd all things out of joint,

I lost both maid and barley.

Riding down a narrow lane,

Some two or three hours after, There I chanc'd to meet again

This farmers bonny daughter :
Although it was both raw and cold,

I stay'd to hold a parley,
And show'd once more my purse of gold,

When as she had sold her barley.

Love, faid I, pray do not frown,

But let us change embraces,
I'll buy thee a fine filken gown,

With ribbons, gloves, and laces,
A ring and bodkin, muff and fan,

No lady shall have neater ;
For, as I am an honest man,

I ne'er saw a sweeter creature.

Then I took her by the hand,

And said, My dearest jewel,
Why should't thou thus difputing stand ?

I prithee be not cruel.
She found my mind was wholly bent

To pleasure my fond desire,
Therefor she seemed to consent,

But I wilh I had never come nigh her.

Sir, said she, what shall I do,

If I commit this evil,
And yield myself in love with you ?

I hope you will prove civil.
You talk of ribbons, gloves, and rings,

And likewise gold and treasure ;
Oh, let me first enjoy those things,

And then you shall have your pleasure.

Sure thy will shall be obey'd,

Said I, my own dear honey.
Then intò her lap I laid

Full forty pounds in money i
Vol. II.

U

We'll

į

We'll to the market-town this day,

And straightway end this quarrel, And deck thee like a lady gay,

In fourishing rich apparel.

All my gold and silver there

To her I did deliver ;
On the road we did repair,

Out-coming to a river,
Whose waters are both deep and wide,

Such rivers I ne'er see many,
She leap'd her mare on the other side,

And left me not one penny.

4

Then my heart was sunk full low,

With grief and care surrounded,
After her I could not go,

For fear of being drowned.
She turn'd about, and said, Behold,

I am not for your devotion ;
But, fir, I thank you for your gold,

"Twill serve to enlarge my portion.

I began to stamp and stare,

To see what she had acted ; With my hands I tore my hair,

Like one that was distracted : Give me my money, then I cried,

Good faith I did but lend it. But the full fast away did ride,

And vow'd she did not intend it,

BAL