<p><SPAN name="link2H_4_0008" id="link2H_4_0008"></SPAN></p>
<h2> The Bailiff's Daughter of Islington </h2>
<p>There was a youthe, and a well-beloved youthe,<br/>
And he was a squire's son;<br/>
He loved the bayliffe's daughter deare,<br/>
That lived in Islington.<br/>
<br/>
Yet she was coye, and would not believe<br/>
That he did love her soe,<br/>
Noe nor at any time would she<br/>
Any countenance to him showe.<br/>
<br/>
But when his friendes did understand<br/>
His fond and foolish minde,<br/>
They sent him up to faire London,<br/>
An apprentice for to binde.<br/>
<br/>
And when he had been seven long yeares,<br/>
And never his love could see,—<br/>
"Many a teare have I shed for her sake,<br/>
When she little thought of mee."<br/>
<br/>
Then all the maids of Islington<br/>
Went forth to sport and playe,<br/>
All but the bayliffe's daughter deare;<br/>
She secretly stole awaye.<br/>
<br/>
She pulled off her gowne of greene,<br/>
And put on ragged attire,<br/>
And to faire London she would go<br/>
Her true love to enquire.<br/>
<br/>
And as she went along the high road,<br/>
The weather being hot and drye,<br/>
She sat her downe upon a green bank,<br/>
And her true love came riding bye.<br/>
<br/>
She started up, with a colour soe redd,<br/>
Catching hold of his bridle-reine;<br/>
"One penny, one penny, kind sir," she sayd,<br/>
"Will ease me of much paine."<br/>
<br/>
"Before I give you one penny, sweet-heart,<br/>
Praye tell me where you were borne."<br/>
"At Islington, kind sir," sayd shee,<br/>
"Where I have had many a scorne."<br/>
<br/>
"I prythee, sweet-heart, then tell to mee,<br/>
O tell me, whether you knowe<br/>
The bayliffes daughter of Islington."<br/>
"She is dead, sir, long agoe."<br/>
<br/>
"If she be dead, then take my horse,<br/>
My saddle and bridle also;<br/>
For I will into some farr countrye,<br/>
Where noe man shall me knowe."<br/>
<br/>
"O staye, O staye, thou goodlye youthe,<br/>
She standeth by thy side;<br/>
She is here alive, she is not dead,<br/>
And readye to be thy bride."<br/>
<br/>
"O farewell griefe, and welcome joye,<br/>
Ten thousand times therefore;<br/>
For nowe I have founde mine owne true love,<br/>
Whom I thought I should never see more."<br/></p>
<div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />