Maid & her barley/The Maid and her Barley
THE MAID AND HER BARLEY.
Cold and raw the north wind blaw,
bleak in the morning early;
All the trees were covered with snaw,
covered With winter yearly.
As I was riding along the ploughs,
I met a farmer's daughter,
With rosy cheeks and bonny brow,
good faith my chops did water.
Down I wav'd my bonnet full low,
meaning to shew my breeding,
But she return'd a graceful bow,
with her visage fair exceeding.
I ask’d her where she was going so soon,
I long’d to hold a parley.
She told me to the next market town,
on purpose fo sell her barley.
In this purse, sweet soul said I,
twenty pounds lies fairly,
Seen no further one to buy,
for I'll buy all thy barley.
If twenty pounds should purchase delight,
to one that I love so dearly,
If you will lie with me to-night,
you'll go home in the morning early.
If twenty pounds should buy the globe,
it's the thing I'll never do, sir.
For were my friends as poor as Job,
I would never raise them so sir.
For would you prove my friend one night,
we might get a young kid together,
And you would be gone e'er nine month's end,
pray where would I find a father?
O pray what would my father say,
if I should be so silly
As to throw my maiden head away,
and loss my true-love Billy?
For it would bring me to disgrace,
therefore I say you nay, sir,
But if that you would me embrace,
first marry, and then you may, sir,
Then I told her I had married been
for fourteen years and longer,
Else I would choose her for my queen,
and fasten the knot still stronger.
Then she bade me no farther roam,
meaning my wedlock fairly,
So keep your purse for spouse at home,
some other will buy my barley.
Then I found myself disappointed,
the maid she left me fairly,
My words knocked all things out of joint,
I lost both maid and barley.
As I was riding down yon slope,
some two or three hours after,
There I chanced to meet again
the farmer's bonny daughter.
Altho' it was both raw and cold,
I long'd to hold a parley,
Once more to shew my purse of gold
when she had sold her barley.
Love said I pray do not frown,
but let us exchange embraces;
I’ll buy thee a silken gown,
with ribbons, gloves and laces.
A ring and breast-pin muff and fan,
no body shall have neater;
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 you disputing stand,
I pray you be not cruel.
She saw my mind was fully bent
to pleasure my desire,
Therefore she seemed to consent,
but I wish I had ne'er come nigh her.
You talk of rlbbons, gloves, and rings,
and likewise gold and treasure,
O let me first enjoy these things
then you shall have your pleasure.
Sure thy will shall be obeyed,
said he, my own dear honey,
Then into her lap he paid
full forty pounds in money.
We'll to the market town this day,
straightway to end our quarrel,
I'll deck thee like a lady gay,
in flourishing apparel.
All my gold and silver then
to her I did del'ver,
And on the road we did repair,
till coming to a river,
The water was so wide and deep,
such waters I ne'er saw many,
She leap'd her mare to the other side,
and left me not one penny.
Then my heart was sunk full ⟨low⟩,
with griefs and cares around me,
After her I could not go,
for fear of being drowned.
She turn'd about and said, behold
I'm not at your devotion
But sir l thank you for your gold,
it will help to enlarge my portion.
Then I began to stamp and stare,
to see what she had acted,
And with my hands I tore my hair,
like one that was distracted.
Give me my money back again,
good faith I did but lend it,
But she full fast away did ride,
and vow'd she ne'er intended.