But I'm his poor fhepherd, 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, For I can neither write nor read. Derry down, &c. Then four pounds a week will I give unto thee, And tell the old abbot when thou comeft home, Thou haft brought him a pardon from good King John. Derry down, &c. BALLAD XVII. THE SCOTCHMAN OUTWITTED BY THE COL FARMERS DAUGHTER. OLD and raw the North did blow, All the hills were hid with fnow, Down Down I vail'd my bonnet low, I afk'd her where fhe was going so foon, She told me, to the next market-town, In this purfe, fweet foul, faid I, Seek no further one to buy, For Ife take all thy barley: If thou wilt lig with me all night, And gang home in the morning early. If forty pound would buy the globe, For fhould you prove one night my friend, Pray, what would my parents fay, To give my maidenhead away, Oh, Oh, this would bring me to difgrace, I told her, I had wedded been Elfe I'd choose her for my queen, Then, as fwift as any roe, She rode away and left me; Of joy the quite bereft me : Riding down a narrow lane, Some two or three hours after, This farmers bonny daughter : I ftay'd to hold a parley, And fhow'd once more my purfe of gold, Love, faid I, pray do not frown, But let us change embraces, Then I took her by the hand, Why should'st thou thus difputing stand? She found my mind was wholly bent To pleasure my fond defire, Therefor fhe feemed to confent, But I wish 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? And likewise gold and treasure; Sure thy will shall be obey'd, Said I, my own dear honey. Then intò her lap I laid Full forty pounds in money; VOL. II. U We'll སྐ We'll to the market-town this day, And straightway end this quarrel, All my gold and filver there Whose waters are both deep and wide, She leap'd her mare on the other fide, Then my heart was funk full low, For fear of being drowned. I began to ftamp and stare, To fee what she had acted; But she full faft away did ride, And vow'd fhe did not intend it. BAL |