The Willow Tree (1816)/The Father of Nancy
THE FATHER OF NANCY.
The father of Nancy a forester was,
And an honest old woodman was he,
And Nancy a beautiful innocent lass,
As the sun in its circuit could see.
She gather'd wild-flowers, and lilies, and roses,
And cry'd thro' the village, 'Come buy my sweet posies.
The charms of this fair one a villager caught,
A noble and rich one was he:
Great offers he made, but by Nancy was taught
That a poor girl right honest might be.
She still gather'd wild-flowers, &c.
The father of Nancy a forester was,
And a poor little stroller was she;
But her lover, so noble, soon married the lass;
She's as happy as maiden could be:
No more gather'd wild flowers, and lillies and roses,
Nor cry'd thro' the village, 'Come buy my, sweet posies.'