Francis James Child

“ And held itt there in his owne right hand;
Saies, Whether wilt thou dye vpon my swords point, ladye,
Or thow wilt goe naked home againe?
‘Liffe is sweet,’ then, ’Sir,’ said shee,
‘Therfore I pray you leaue mee with mine;
Before I wold dye on your swords point,
I had rather goe naked home againe.
‘My father,’ shee sayes, ’is a right good erle
As any remaines in his countrye;
If euer he doe your body take,
You’r sure to flower a gallow tree.
‘And I haue seuen brethren,’ shee sayes,
‘And they are all hardy men and bold ”

“ For I sett soe much by my red gold
That now itt hath lost both my daughter and mee!’
. . . . . .
But after this time he neere dought good day,
But as flowers doth fade in the frost,
Soe he did wast and weare away. ”

“ Shee stood before young Andrewes eye.
Saies, O put of thy peticoate,
For some and all of itt shall goe with mee;
And to my owne lady I will itt beare,
Which dwells soe farr in a strange countrye
But then shee put of her peticoate,
With many a salt teare still from her eye,
And in a smocke of braue white silke
She stood before young Andrews eye.
Saies, O put of thy smocke of silke,
For some and all shall goe with mee;
Vnto my owne ladye I will itt beare,
That dwells soe farr in a strange countrye. ”