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THERE was a youthe, and a well-beloved youthe, | |
And he was a squires son; | |
He loved the bayliffes daughter deare, | |
That lived in Islington. | |
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Yet she was coye, and would not believe | 5 |
That he did love her soe, | |
Noe nor at any time would she | |
Any countenance to him showe. | |
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But when his friendes did understand | |
His fond and foolish minde, | 10 |
They sent him up to faire London, | |
An apprentice for to binde. | |
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And when he had been seven long yeares, | |
And never his love could see, | |
Many a teare have I shed for her sake, | 15 |
When she little thought of mee. | |
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Then all the maids of Islington | |
Went forth to sport and playe, | |
All but the bayliffes daughter deare; | |
She secretly stole awaye. | 20 |
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She pulled off her gowne of greene, | |
And put on ragged attire, | |
And to faire London she would go | |
Her true love to enquire. | |
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And as she went along the high road, | 25 |
The weather being hot and drye, | |
She sat her downe upon a green bank, | |
And her true love came riding bye. | |
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She started up, with colour soe redd, | |
Catching hold of his bridle-reine; | 30 |
One penny, one penny, kind sir, she sayd, | |
Will ease me of much paine. | |
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Before I give you one penny, sweet-heart, | |
Praye tell me where you were borne. | |
At Islington, kind sir, sayd shee, | 35 |
Where I have had many a scorne. | |
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I prythee, sweet-heart, then tell to mee, | |
O tell me whether you knowe | |
The bayliffes daughter of Islington. | |
She is dead, sir, long agoe. | 40 |
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If she be dead, then take my horse, | |
My saddle and bridle also; | |
For I will into some farr countrye, | |
Where noe man shall me knowe. | |
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O stave, O staye, thou goodlye youthe, | 45 |
She standeth by thy side; | |
She is here alive, she is not dead, | |
And readye to be thy bride. | |
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O farewell griefe, and welcome joye, | |
Ten thousand times therefore; | 50 |
For nowe I have founde mine owne true love, | |
Whom I thought I should never see more. | |
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