XXVIII. The Northern Ditty: Or, The Scotchman outwitted by the Country Damsel.
To a new Scotch Tune.
Now I am got into the Reign of King James the First, I shall chuse to insert the following Song, said to be written much about his time on an amorous Intrigue of a certain Great Man. One would not chuse to insert bare Conjectures, without being able to second 'em with good Arguments, or at least very great Probabilities; my Reader will therefore excuse me, I hope, from relating the Particulars I have heard; and I shall make no Observation on the Song, save, that the Scottish Dialect pretty plainly intimates that it was written on some Person of that Nation.
1. Cold 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, Rosy Cheeks and a bonny Brow, Good Faith my Mouth did water.
2. Down I vail'd my Bonnet low, Meaning to show 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 sell her Barley.
3. In this Purse, sweet Soul, said I, Twenty Pounds lies fairly, Seek no further one to buy, For Ise take all thy Barley: Twenty Pound more shall purchase Delight, Thy Person I love so dearly, If thou wilt lig with me all Night, And gang Home in the Morning early.
4. If Forty Pound would buy the Globe, This thing I'd not do, Sir, Or were my Friends as Poor as Job, I'd never raise 'em so, Sir, For should 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?
5. Pray what would my Parents say, If I should be so silly, To give my Maidenhead away, And lose my true Love Billy? Oh, this would bring me to Disgrace, And therefore I say you nay, Sir; And if that you would me embrace, First marry, and then you may, Sir.
6. I told her I had wedded been Fourteen Years, and longer, Else I'd chuse her for my Queen, And tye the Knot more stronger, She bid me then no farther come, But manag'd my Wedlock fairly, And keep my Purse for poor Spouse at home, For some other would buy her Barley.
7. Then as swift as any Roe, She rode away and left me; After her I could not go, Of Joy she quite bereft me: Thus I my self did disappoint, For she did leave me fairly; My Words knock'd all things out of joynt, I lost both the Maid and the Barley.
8. 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 shew'd once more my Purse of Gold, When as she had sold her Barley.
9. Love, said I, pray do not frown, But let us change Embraces, I'll buy thee a silken Gown, With Ribbons, Gloves and Laces; A Ring and Bodkin, Muff and Fan, No Lady shall have neater; For, as I am an honest Man, I ne'er saw a sweeter Creature.
10. Then I took her by the Hand, And said, my dearest Jewel, Why should'st thou thus disputing stand, I prithee be not cruel. She found my Mind was fully bent, To pleasure my fond Desire, Therefore she seemed to consent, But I wish I had never come nigh her.
11. Sir, said she, what shall I do, If I commit this Evil, And yield my self in Love with you; I hope you will prove civil? You talk of Ribbons, Gloves and Rings, And likewise Gold and Treasure: Oh, let me first enjoy those things, And then you shall have your Pleasure.
12. Sure thy Will shall be obey'd, Said I, my own dear Honey, Then into her Lap I lay'd Full Forty Pounds in Money; We'll to the Market Town this Day, And straitway end this Quarrel, And deck thee like a Lady gay, In flourishing rich Apparel.
13. All my Gold and Silver there To her I did deliver: On the Road we did repair, Out coming to a River, Whose Waters are both deep and wide, Such Rivers I ne'er see many, She leapt her Mare on the other Side, And left me not one Penny.
14. Then my Heart was sunk full low, With Grief and Care surrounded, After her I could not go, For fear of being drowned; She turn'd about, and say'd, Behold, I am not for your Devotion, But, Sir, I thank you for my Gold, 'Twill serve to inlarge my Portion.
15. I began to stamp and stare, To see what she had acted; With my Hands I tore my Hair, Like one that was quite 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.