The Cruel father/An old woman clothed in gray

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AN OLD WOMAN CLOTHED IN GREY.

AN old woman clothed is grey
had a daughter was charming & young,
But she was deluded astray,
by Roger's false flattering tongue:

With whom she often had been,
abroad in the meadows and fields;
Her belly grew up to her chin,
her spirit sunk down to her heels.

At length she began for to puke
her mother possessed with fear:
She gave her a gentle rebuke,
and cry'd. Daughter a word in your ear.

I doubt you've been playing the fool,
which many call Hay ding a ding,
Why did you not follow my rule,
and tie your two toes in a string.

O Mother! your counsel I took,
but yet I was never tho near:
He won my heart with a false look,
and his words so enchanted mine ear.

That your precepts I soon did forget,
he on me, and would have his scope,
O it is but a folly to fret,
tis done, and for it there's no he'p.

Then who is the father of it!
come tell me without more delay?
For now I am just in the fit.
to go and hear what he will say.

It is Roger, the damsel reply’d
he call'd me his own pretty bird,
And said that I should be his bri e,
but he was not so good as his word.

What Roger, that lives in the mile?
yes verily Mother, the same:
What! Roger, that lives in the mill?
I'll hope to him tho' I am lame.

Go fetch me my crutches with speed,
and bring me my spectacles too,
A lecture to him I will read,
shall ring in his ears thro' and thro'.

With that she went heping away,
and went to young Hodge of the mill,
On him she her crutches did lay
and cry'd, You have ruin'd my Girl,

By getting her dear maidenhead,
'tis true, you can no ways deny,
Therefore I advise you to wed,
and make her as honest as I.

Then what will you g've me? quoth Hodge
if I take your daughter by hand!
Will you make me the heir of your lodge?
your houses, your money and land,

With all your barns and ploughs,
your cattle and money also,
If so I will make her my spouse,
speak up, are you willing or no,

Then Goody took Hogde by the hand,
let it be for to have and to hold;
I will make you the heir of my land,
my houses, my silver, and gold.

Make her but your honoured wife,
and you shall be Lord of my store,
Whene'er I surrender my life,
in case it were forty times more.

The bargain was presently struck,
they wedded-and this being done.
The old women wish'd them good luck,
being proud of her daughter and Son,

Then, Hey for a Girl or Boy;
young Peg look'd as big as a Duchess,
The Old Women caper'd for joy
and danc'd up a jig in her crutcher.