| |
| THERE was a youthe, and a well-beloved youthe, | |
| And he was a squire’s son; | |
| He loved the bayliffes daughter deare, | |
| That lived in Islington. | |
| |
| Yet she was coye, and would not believe | 5 |
| That he did love her soe, | |
| Noe nor at any time would she | |
| Any countenance to him showe. | |
| |
| But when his friendes did understand | |
| His fond and foolish minde, | 10 |
| They sent him up to faire London, | |
| An apprentice for to binde. | |
| |
| And when he had been seven long yeares, | |
| And never his love could see,— | |
| “Many a teare have I shed for her sake, | 15 |
| When she little thought of mee.” | |
| |
| Then all the maids of Islington | |
| Went forth to sport and playe, | |
| All but the bayliffes daughter deare; | |
| She secretly stole awaye. | 20 |
| |
| She pulled off her gowne of greene, | |
| And put on ragged attire, | |
| And to faire London she would go | |
| Her true love to enquire. | |
| |
| And as she went along the high road, | 25 |
| The weather being hot and drye, | |
| She sat her downe upon a green bank, | |
| And her true love came riding bye. | |
| |
| She started up, with colour soe redd, | |
| Catching hold of his bridle-reine; | 30 |
| “One penny, one penny, kind sir,” she sayd, | |
| “Will ease me of much paine.” | |
| |
| “Before I give you one penny, sweet-heart, | |
| Praye tell me where you were borne.” | |
| “At Islington, kind sir,” sayd shee, | 35 |
| “Where I have had many a scorne.” | |
| |
| “I prythee, sweet-heart, then tell to mee, | |
| O tell me whether you knowe | |
| The bayliffes daughter of Islington.” | |
| “She is dead, sir, long agoe.” | 40 |
| |
| “If she be dead, then take my horse, | |
| My saddle and bridle also; | |
| For I will into some farr countrye, | |
| Where noe man shall me knowe.” | |
| |
| “O stave, O staye, thou goodlye youthe, | 45 |
| She standeth by thy side; | |
| She is here alive, she is not dead, | |
| And readye to be thy bride.” | |
| |
| “O farewell griefe, and welcome joye, | |
| Ten thousand times therefore; | 50 |
| For nowe I have founde mine owne true love, | |
| Whom I thought I should never see more.” | |
| |
