248 Jotirnal of American Folk-Lore.
Polly's Love. Down in yon country a rich farmer did live (dwell), He had but one daughter whom he loved well, And as soon as he found that she was in love, He parted pretty Polly's own ardent true love.
As Polly lay musing all on her downy bed,. A comical project came into her head ; " Neither father nor mother shall make me false prove, I will dress like a soldier and follow my love."
Coat, waistcoat, and breeches pretty Polly put on, In every degree she was dressed like a man, To her father's stables to view the horses around, To see if there was one could travel the ground.
A case of fine pistols and a sword by her side,
With her father's best gelding like a troop she did ride,
She had rode far before she came to a town,
And called for the captain of Harry Wown (high renown ?).
The first that came forth was an English lord,
And the next pretty Polly's own true love. " Here is a letter from Polly your friend."
He instantly taking the letter in hand. . . . " And under the seal there 's a guinea to be found,
For you and your soldiers drink Polly's health round."
Now Polly being drowsy she hung down her head, And calls for a candle to light her to bed. " There 's a light at your service, a bed at your ease, And you can sleep with me, kind sir, if you please."
" To sleep with a soldier 's a dangerous thing, For some will want soldiers to fight for the king."
" I am a sailor on sea, and a soldier on shore, But the name of pretty Polly I always adore."
Early next morning pretty Polly arose,
She dressed herself up in a suit of woman's clothes,
And down stairs she came, saying, " Constant I will prove,
I am pretty Polly, your own true love."
Now Polly is married, she lives at her ease, She goes when she will, and comes when she please, She left her dear parents behind to mourn, " I 'd give hundreds and thousands for Polly's return." 1
1 Contributed by Mrs. E. M. Backus, Saluda, N. C.
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