The Northern Ditty PART II
(continued)

Riding down a narrow lane,
Some two or three hours after,
There I chanc'd to meet again,
The farmer's bonny daughter;
Although it was both raw and cold
I stay'd to hold a parley,
And shew'd once more my purse of gold,
When she had sold her barley.

Love said I pray do not frown,
But let us change embraces,
I'll buy thee a new silken gown,
With ribbons, gloves and laces,
A ring and bodkin, muff and fan,
No lady shall be 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 thou disputing stand,
I prithee be not cruel.
She found my mind was fully bent,
To please my fond desires,
Therefore she seemed to consent,
But I wish I'd ne'er come near 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,
O let me first enjoy these things,
And you shall have your pleasure.

Sure thy will shall be obey'd,
Said I my own dear honey,
Then into her soft lap I laid,
Full forty pounds of money.
We'll to the market town this day
And straightway end this quarrel,
I'll deck you like a lady gay,
In flourishing rich apparel.
All my gold and silver there,
To her I did deliver,
On the road we did repair,
But coming top a river,
Whose waters were both deep and wide,
Such rivers I never saw many,
She leap'd her mare on the other side,
And left me not one penny.

Then my heart was sunk full low,
With grief and care surrounded,
After her I could not go,
For fear of being drownded;
She turn'd about and says behold,
I'm not for your devotion,
But Sir 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 poor hands I tore my hair,
Like one that was distracted;
Give me my money then I cry'd,
Good faith I did but lend it,
But she full fast away did ride,
And vow'd she did not intend it.

Printed by J. Pitts, Seven Dials, [London] Price One Penny.
Bodleian Collection, Harding B 1(87).
Printed without verses; I have added a few breaks for clarity.