Book of Old English Ballads, A

<p><SPAN name="link2H_4_0020" id="link2H_4_0020"></SPAN></p> <h2> The Fause Lover </h2> <p>A fair maid sat in her bower door,<br/> Wringing her lily hands;<br/> And by it came a sprightly youth,<br/> Fast tripping o'er the strands.<br/> <br/> "Where gang ye, young John," she says,<br/> "Sae early in the day?<br/> It gars me think, by your fast trip,<br/> Your journey's far away."<br/> <br/> He turn'd about wi' surly look,<br/> And said, "What's that to thee?<br/> I'm ga'en to see a lovely maid,<br/> Mair fairer far than ye."<br/> <br/> "Now hae ye play'd me this, fause love,<br/> In simmer, 'mid the flowers?<br/> I shall repay ye back again,<br/> In winter, 'mid the showers."<br/> <br/> "But again, dear love, and again, dear love,<br/> Will ye not turn again?<br/> For as ye look to ither women,<br/> I shall do to other men."<br/> <br/> "Make your choice o' whom you please,<br/> For I my choice will have;<br/> I've chosen a maid more fair than thee,<br/> I never will deceive."<br/> <br/> But she's kilt up her claithing fine,<br/> And after him gaed she;<br/> But aye he said, "Ye'll turn again,<br/> Nae farder gae wi' me."<br/> <br/> "But again, dear love, and again, dear love,<br/> Will ye never love me again?<br/> Alas! for loving you sae well,<br/> And you na me again."<br/> <br/> The firstan' town that they came till,<br/> He bought her brooch and ring;<br/> But aye he bade her turn again,<br/> And gang nae farder wi' him.<br/> <br/> "But again, dear love, and again, dear love," etc.<br/> <br/> The nextan' town that they came till,<br/> He bought her muff and gloves;<br/> But aye he bade her turn again,<br/> And choose some other loves.<br/> <br/> "But again, dear love, and again, dear love," etc.<br/> <br/> The nextan' town that they came till,<br/> His heart it grew mair fain;<br/> And he was deep in love wi' her.<br/> As she was ower again.<br/> <br/> The nextan' town that they came till,<br/> He bought her wedding gown;<br/> And made her lady o' ha's and bowers,<br/> In sweet Berwick town.<br/></p> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />