Who in this ditty, here complaining, shewes
What harme she got, milking her dadyes ewes.
To a pleasant Scotch tune, called The broom of Cowden Knowes.
1
Through Liddersdale as lately I went,
I musing on did passe;
I heard a maid was discontent,
she sighd, and said, Alas!
_All maids that ever deceived was
beare a part of these my woes,
For once I was a bonny lasse,
when I milkt my dadyes ewes.
With, O the broome, the bonny broome,
the broome of Cowdon Knowes!
Faine would I be in the North Countrey,
to milke my dadyes ewes._
2
‘My love into the fields did come,
when my dady was at home;
Sugred words he gave me there,
praisd me for such a one.
His honey breath and lips so soft,
and his alluring eye
And tempting tong, hath woo’d me oft,
now forces me to cry,
_All maids_, &c.
3
‘He joyed me with his pretty chat,
so well discourse could he,
Talking of this thing and of that,
which greatly likëd me.
I was so greatly taken with his speech,
and with his comely making;
He usëd all the meanes could be
to inchant me with his speaking.
4
‘In Danby Forest I was borne;
my beauty did excell;
My parents dearely lovëd me
till my belly began to swell.
I might have beene a prince’s peere
when I came over the knoes,
Till the shepherds boy beguilëd me,
milking my dadyes ewes.
5
‘When once I felt my belly swell,
no longer might I abide;
My mother put me out of doores,
and bangd me backe and side.
Then did I range the world so wide,
wandering about the knoes,
Cursing the boy that helpëd me
to fold my dadyes ewes.
6
‘Who would have thought a boy so young
would have usd a maiden so
As to allure her with his tongue,
and then from her to goe?
Which hath also procured my woe,
to credit his faire shewes,
Which now too late repent I doe,
the milking of the ewes.
7
‘I often since have wisht that I
had never seen his face;
I needed not thus mournefully
have sighed, and said Alas!
I might have matchëd with the best,
as all the country knowes,
Had I escaped the shepherds boy
helpt me to fold my ewes.
8
‘All maidens faire, then have a care
when you a milking goe;
Trust not to young men’s tempting tongues,
that will deceive you so.
Them you shall finde to be unkinde
and glory in your woes;
For the shepheards boy beguilëd mee
folding my dadyes ewes.’
9
‘If you your virgin honours keepe,
esteeming of them deare,
You need not then to waile and weepe,
or your parents anger feare.
As I have said, of them beware
would glory in your woes;
You then may sing with merry cheere,
milking your dadyes ewes.’
10
A young man, hearing her complaint,
did pity this her case,
Saying to her, Sweet beautious saint,
I grieve so faire a face
Should sorrow so; then, sweeting, know,
to ease thee of thy woes,
Ile goe with thee to the North Country,
to milke thy dadyes ewes.
11
‘Leander like, I will remaine
still constant to thee ever,
As Piramus, or Troyalus,
till death our lives shall sever.
Let me be hated evermore,
of all men that me knowes,
If false to thee, sweet heart, I bee,
milking thy dadyes ewes.’
12
Then modestly she did reply,
‘Might I so happy bee
Of you to finde a husband kinde,
and for to marrie me,
Then to you I would during life
continue constant still,
And be a true, obedient wife,
observing of your will.
_With, O the broome, the bonny broome,
the broome of Cowden Knoes!
Faine would I be in the North Country,
milking my dadyes ewes._
13
Thus, with a gentle soft imbrace,
he tooke her in his armes,
And with a kisse he smiling said,
‘Ile shield thee from all harmes,
And instantly will marry thee,
to ease thee of thy woes,
And goe with thee to the North Country,
to milke thy dadyes ewes.’
_With, O the broome, the bonny broome,
the broome of Cowden Knoes!
Faine would I be in the North Country,
to milke my dadyes ewes._
* * * * *
#a.#
_After_ 7: The Second Part.
#b.#
_Title_: in the ditty.
2^1. field.
2^2. from home.
5^6. amongst _for_ about.
6^3. So to.
6^6. hath alas.