{"collection":"Northern European Mythology","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/neu/eng/boeb/boeb10.htm","path":"neu/eng/boeb/boeb10.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/neu/eng/boeb/boeb10.htm","text":"THERE was a youthe, and a well-beloved youthe,\n \u00a0\u00a0And he was a squire's son;\n He loved the bayliffe's daughter deare,\n \u00a0\u00a0That lived in Islington.\nYet she was coye, and would not believe\n \u00a0\u00a0That he did love her soe,\n Noe nor at any time would she\n \u00a0\u00a0Any countenance to him showe.\nBut when his friendes did understand\n \u00a0\u00a0His fond and foolish minde,\n They sent him up to faire London,\n \u00a0\u00a0An apprentice for to binde.\nAnd when he had been seven long yeares,\n \u00a0\u00a0And never his love could see,--\n \"Many a teare have I shed for her sake,\n \u00a0\u00a0When she little thought of mee.\"\nThen all the maids of Islington\n \u00a0\u00a0Went forth to sport and playe,\n All but the bayliffe's daughter deare;\n \u00a0\u00a0She secretly stole awaye.\nShe pulled off her gowne of greene,\n \u00a0\u00a0And put on ragged attire,\n And to faire London she would go\n \u00a0\u00a0Her true love to enquire.\nAnd as she went along the high road,\n \u00a0\u00a0The weather being hot and drye,\n She sat her downe upon a green bank,\n \u00a0\u00a0And her true love came riding bye.\nShe started up, with a colour soe redd,\n \u00a0\u00a0Catching hold of his bridle-reine;\n \"One penny, one penny, kind sir,\" she sayd,\n \u00a0\u00a0\"Will ease me of much paine.\"\n\"Before I give you one penny, sweet-heart,\n \u00a0\u00a0Praye tell me where you were borne.\"\n \"At Islington, kind sir,\" sayd shee,\n \u00a0\u00a0\"Where I have had many a scorne.\"\n\"I prythee, sweet-heart, then tell to mee,\n \u00a0\u00a0O tell me, whether you knowe\n The bayliffes daughter of Islington.\"\n \u00a0\u00a0\"She is dead, sir, long agoe.\"\n\"If she be dead, then take my horse,\n \u00a0\u00a0My saddle and bridle also;\n For I will into some farr countrye,\n \u00a0\u00a0Where noe man shall me knowe.\"\n\"O staye, O staye, thou goodlye youthe,\n \u00a0\u00a0She standeth by thy side;\n She is here alive, she is not dead,\n \u00a0\u00a0And readye to be thy bride.\"\n\"O farewell griefe, and welcome joye,\n \u00a0\u00a0Ten thousand times therefore;\n For nowe I have founde mine owne true love,\n \u00a0\u00a0Whom I thought I should never see more.\"","title":"A Book of Old English Ballads: The Bailiff's Daughter of ...","type":"page"}