{"collection":"Northern European Mythology","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/neu/eng/boeb/boeb22.htm","path":"neu/eng/boeb/boeb22.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/neu/eng/boeb/boeb22.htm","text":"A FAIR maid sat in her bower door,\n \u00a0\u00a0Wringing her lily hands;\n And by it came a sprightly youth,\n \u00a0\u00a0Fast tripping o'er the strands.\n\"Where gang ye, young John,\" she says,\n \u00a0\u00a0\"Sae early in the day?\n It gars me think, by your fast trip,\n \u00a0\u00a0Your journey's far away.\"\nHe turn'd about wi' surly look,\n \u00a0\u00a0And said, \"What's that to thee?\n I'm ga'en to see a lovely maid,\n \u00a0\u00a0Mair fairer far than ye.\"\n\"Now hae ye play'd me this, fause love,\n \u00a0\u00a0In simmer, 'mid the flowers?\n I shall repay ye back again,\n \u00a0\u00a0In winter, 'mid the showers.\n\"But again, dear love, and again, dear love,\n \u00a0\u00a0Will ye not turn again?\n For as ye look to ither women,\n \u00a0\u00a0I shall do to other men.\"\n\"Make your choice o' whom you please,\n \u00a0\u00a0For I my choice will have;\n I've chosen a maid more fair than thee,\n \u00a0\u00a0I never will deceive.\"\nBut she's kilt up her claithing fine,\n \u00a0\u00a0And after him gaed she;\n But aye he said, \"Ye'll turn again,\n \u00a0\u00a0Nae farder gae wi' me.\"\nBut again, dear love, and again, dear love,\n \u00a0\u00a0Will ye never love me again?\n Alas! for loving you sae well,\n \u00a0\u00a0And you na me again.\"\nThe firstan' town that they came till,\n \u00a0\u00a0He bought her brooch and ring;\n But aye he bade her turn again,\n \u00a0\u00a0And gang nae farder wi' him.\n\"But again, dear love, and again, dear love,\" etc.\nThe nextan' town that they came till,\n \u00a0\u00a0He bought her muff and gloves;\n But aye he bade her turn again,\n \u00a0\u00a0And choose some other loves.\nBut again, dear love, and again, dear love,\" etc.\nThe nextan' town that they came till,\n \u00a0\u00a0His heart it grew mair fain;\n And he was deep in love wi' her.\n \u00a0\u00a0As she was ower again.\nThe nextan' town that they came till,\n \u00a0\u00a0He bought her wedding gown;\n And made her lady o' ha's and bowers,\n \u00a0\u00a0In sweet Berwick town.","title":"A Book of Old English Ballads: The Fause Lover","type":"page"}