The Black-bird/The Maid in Bedlam

by Anonymous

For other versions of this work, see The Maid in Bedlam.

The Maid in Bedlam.

One morning very early,
 one morning in the spring,
I heard a maid in Bedlam,
 who mournfully did sing:
Her chains she rattl’d on her hands,
 while sweetly thus sung she,
I love my love, because I know
 my love loves me.

Oh! cruel were his parents,
 who sent my love to sea;
And cruel, cruel was the ship
 that bore my love from me:
Yet I love his parents, since they’re his,
 altho’ they’ve ruin’d me.
  For I love my love, &c.

Oh! should it please the pitying pow’rs
 to call me to the sky,
I'd claim a guardian angel's charge
 around my love to fly,
For to guard him from all dangers;
 How happy should I be!
  For I love my love, &c.

I'll make a strawy garland,
 I'll make it wondrous fine;
With rodes, lillies, daisies,
 I'll mix the eglantine;
And I'll present it to my love,
 when he returns from sea.
  For I love my love, &c.

O if I were a little bird,
 to build upon his breast!
Or if I were a nightingale,
 to sing my love to rest;
To gaze upon his lovely eyes,
 all my reward should be,
  For I love my love, &c.

 O if I were an eagle,
  to soar into the sky!
I’d gaze around, with piercing eyes,
 where I my love might spy:
But ah! unhappy maiden,
 that love you ne’er shall see!
  Yet I love my love, &c.

Whilst thus she sung, lamenting,
 her love was come on shore:
He heard she was in Bedlam,
 then did he ask no more,
But straight he flew to find her,
 while thus replied he,
  I love my love, &c.

O Sir, do not affright me
 are you my love, or not?
Yes, yes my dearest Molly!
 I fear’d I was forget;
But now I’m to make amends
 for all your injury:
And I love my love, because I’ve found
 my love loves me.

 

———x———