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The lame and the blind fell to dancing the Hay,
The gentry flocked in as they would to a play.
Amongſt the reſt was that treacherous Knight,
⟨Setting⟩ his eyes on his Daughter ſo bright,
⟨His⟩ heart it did flutter and leap in his breaſt,
⟨His⟩ ſpirit was ſeiz'd, and his mind was oppreſt.
Old Doll cry'd, We muſt have a jigg of the Bride,
⟨Come⟩ play me a pretty hornpipe, ſhe cry'd;
⟨Which⟩ Suſan perform'd with ſo noble a grace,
⟨That⟩ ſhe won the praiſe of all was in the place.
Well done, ſays the old man, 'tis a child of my own,
⟨Come⟩, jovial piper, Play up t'other tune:
⟨O⟩ health to the Bridegroom let's paſs round the room.
⟨To⟩' a Beggar brought up, he's a Merchant's Son born,
The Knight hearing this, ſtept up to the Bride,
⟨Let⟩ me ſpeak with you, fair creature he cry'd,
⟨O⟩ you have a mark of a roſe on your breaſt,
⟨You⟩ are my dear Child and a Lady by birth.
She show'd him the mark, he immediately cry'd,
⟨Conduct⟩ home the Bridegroom and beautiful Bride,
For this is my child that's been miſſing ſo long,
And her loving Huſband, the Merchant's dear Son,
Bring all your gueſts into my own home,
⟨I⟩ kindly receive you, and when that is done,
I tell all the world of my treacherous deed,
For who can prevent what Fate has decreed.
The cripples they ſnatch'd up their crutches and run,
⟨To⟩ ſee the ſtrange miracles there had been done;
Her father confeſſed the whole that ſame night:
⟨All⟩ praiſed the Beggar that ſav'd the Babe's life,
All people upbraided him with this baſe crime,
