Divider from 'The Jolly Miller', a chapbook printed in Glasgow in 1799
THE JOLLY MILLER.
There was a jovial Miller once,liv'd on the river Dee,That work'd and sung from morn to night,no lark more blyth than he;And thus the burden of his song,for ever us'd to be,I care for nobody, no, not I,if nobody cares for me.
A noble Lord that liv'd hard by,sent for this Miller one day.And ask him various questions,and amongst the rest did say,How comes it Miller, that every dayyou sing with so merry a glee?Quoth Ralph, I care for nobody,if nobody cares for me.
Are you always thus contented?to him the Lord did say,Aye that I am more happy, quoth Ralph,than folks that live more gay:No worldly care disturbs my breast;my wife and I agree;I care for nobody, no, not I,if nobody cares for me.
The reason of your happinessI would be glad to know!Quoth Ralph, I'll tell your Lordshippart of it before you go;I pay my rent at quarter-day,my mind is ever free;I care for nobody, no, not I,if nobody cares for me.
Thrice happy thou, who thus content,can ever merry beMy whole estate I would freely giveto be as content as theeRalph smiling, shook his head, and said,my Lord, that cannot be,Your Lordship cares for somebody,and somebody cares for thee.
How can you say so, good Miller,I pray thee tell to me,And if you rightly me instruct,ten thousand shall be your fee,This sum I will give, as sure as I liveimmediately unto thee.When l can say, oh! happy day!I care for nobody.
Quoth Ralph, your Lordship must refrain,where flattering Knaves resort;God bless our gracious King and Queen,I mean that place the court;Leave pomp and pegeantry aside;be from ambition free.And then your Lordship soon may sing,I care for nobody.
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