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10 VIMU AIMBOTLIAD

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XXVIII. The Northern Ditty: Or, The Scotchman outwitted by the Country Damfel.

To a new Scotch Tune.

Now I am got into the Reign of King James the First, I fhall chufe to infert the following Song, Jaid to be written much about his time on an amorous Intrigue of a certain Great Man. One would not chufe to infert bare Conjectures, without being able to fecond 'em with good Arguments, or at least very great Probabilities; my Reader will therefore excufe me, I hope, from relating the Particulars I have heard; and I fhall make no Obfervation on the Song, fave, that the Scottish Dialect pretty plainly intimates that it was written on fome Perfon of that Nation.

Co

Old and Raw the North did blow,
Bleak in the Morning early,

All the Trees were hid with Snow,
Cover'd with Winter Yearly:
As I was riding o'er the Slough,

I met with a Farmer's Daughter,
Rofy Cheeks and a bonny Brow,

Good Faith my Mouth did water.

Down

Down I vail'd my Bonnet low,
Meaning to fhow my Breeding,
She return'd a graceful Bow,

Her Visage far exceeding :

I ask'd her where she was going so soon,
And long'd to hold a Parley,

She told me to the next Market-Town,
On purpose to fell her Barley.

In this Purse, fweet Soul, faid I,
Twenty Pounds lies fairly,
Seek no further one to buy,

For Ife take all thy Barley:

Twenty Pound more shall purchase Delight,
Thy Perfon I love fo 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'd not do, Sir,

Or were my Friends as Poor as Fob,
I'd never raise 'em fo, Sir,

For fhould you prove one Night my Friend,
We's get a young Kid together,

And you'd be gone e'er nine Month's end,

Then where should I find the Father?

Pray what would my Parents fay,
If I fhould be fo filly,

To give my Maidenhead away,
And lofe my true Love Billy?
Oh, this would bring me to Difgrace,
And therefore I fay you nay, Sir;
And if that you would me embrace,
First marry, and then you may, Sir.

I told her I had wedded been

Fourteen Years, and longer,
Elfe I'd chufe her for my Queen,
And tye the Knot more stronger,

She

She bid me then no farther come,

But manag'd my Wedlock fairly,

And keep my Purfe for poor Spouse at home, For fome 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 fhe quite bereft me :
Thus I my felf did disappoint,
For fhe did leave me fairly;

My Words knock'd all things out of joynt,
I loft both the Maid and the Barley.

Riding down a narrow Lane,

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

This Farmer's bonny Daughter :

Although it was both Raw and Cold,
I stay'd to hold a Parley,

And fhew'd once more my Purse of Gold,
When as she had fold her Barley.

Love, faid I, pray do not frown,
But let us change Embraces,

I'll buy thee a filken Gown,

With Ribbons, Gloves and Laces;
A Ring and Bodkin, Muff and Fan,
No Lady fhall have neater;
For, as I am an honest Man,

I ne'er faw a fweeter Creature.

Then I took her by the Hand,
And said, my deareft Jewel,

Why should'st thou thus difputing stand,
I prithee be not cruel.

She found my Mind was fully bent,
To pleasure my fond Defire,

Therefore she seemed to consent,

But I wish I had never come nigh her.

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