Here's my transcription from the broadside image at Bodleian Library Broadside Ballads, Harding B 11(3032), London "between 1858 and 1885."

THE PLOUGHBOY'S DREAM

I am a ploughboy stout and strong, as ever drove a team,
And three years since, asleep in bed, I had a dreadful dream.

Now since that dream has done me good, I've got it put in rhyme,
That other boys may read or sing my dream when they have time.

Methought I drove my master's team with Dobbin, Ball and Star,
Before a stiff and hand plough as all my master's are.

But found the ground was baked so hard, more like brick than clay,
I could not cut my furrow through, nor would my beasts obey.

The more I whipped and lashed and swore, the less my cattle stirred,
Dobbin lay down, and Ball, and Star, they kicked and snorted hard.

When lo! above me a bright youth did seem to hang in air,
With purple wings and golden wand, as Angels painted are.

Give over, cruel wretch, he cried, nor thus thy beasts abuse,
Think, if the ground it was not hard, would they their work refuse?

Besides, I heard thee curse and swear, as if dumb beasts could know,
What all thy oaths and curses meant, or better for them go.

But though they know not, there is ONE who knows thy sins full well,
And what shall be thy after doom another shall thee tell.

No more he said, but light as air, he vanished from my sight,
And with him went the sun's bright beams, and all was dark as night.

The thunder roared fro under ground, the earth did seem to gape,
Blue flames broke forth, and in the flames, a dire gigantic shape.

Soon shall I call thee mine, it cried, with voice so dread and deep,
And quiv'ring like an aspen leaf, I wakened from my sleep.

And though I found it but a dream, it left upon my mind,
That fear of GOD, that dread of sin, which all should wish to find.

For since that hour, I never dared to use my cattle ill
And ever feared to curse or swear, and hope to do so still.

Now ponder well, ye ploughboys all, this Dream which I have told
And if it work such change in you, 'tis worth its weight in gold.

For should you think it false or true, it matters not one pin,
If you but deeds of mercy shew, and keep your souls from sin.