The Ghaist/Chapter 2
THE RESOLUTE LADY;
Or, Fortunate Footman.
IN Sherreaf there lived a Squire of great fame,
And there was a young man that served the same;
This young man was comely, his cheeks they were red,
Although but a servant, yet he was well bred.
There was a sister unto this young Squire,
Who daily did this young man admire,
And she had a noble estate of her own,
Not far from Trugger, it is very well known.
This sister at her brothers's often would be,
On purpose this handsome young man for to see.
One day by the brother this sister was spy'd,
Walking in the garden by this servant's side.
He went to the Lady, and to her did say,
What makes you to walk with my man I pray?
The Lady she blush“d, but answer gave none;
She called for her coach, and that moment went home,
O then he discharged his man in a spleen,
And said for the future he should serve the King.
He went to the Lady the very same day,
And told her the words his Master did say.
Dear Lady, my Maister has discharged me.
And the King I must serve now by land or by sea.
Come in, said the Lady, and I will hire you straight,
You shall be my servant, and on me, shall wait:
Next day came her brother and officers too,
They would have this young man for Flanders to go.
The Lady she said, Take your hands from my man,
For you shall not press him do all that you can,
Well, well, said the brother, when we come again,
He shall be a soldier for Flanders or Spain.
O no, said the Lady, that never can be,
For he is an apprentice, and now bound to me.
How bound, said the brother, what trade must he learn?
I'm sorry, dear brother, you cannot discern;
I have his indentures, he is bound for life,
Which makes him the Master, and I am his Wife.
O be you then married? her brother reply'd,
I'd have been better pleas'd if this day you had died.
Dear brother, your kindness I cannot disapprove,
But I am better pleas'd in the choice of my love.
I wish you much joy, then the officers said:
She thanked them kindly, and ask'd them to stay,
For this very day we do spend here in wine,
And at night comes the joy when true lovers do join
FINIS.