Roger the Millers present
Sent by the Farmers Daughter to his Cousin Tom the Taylor in London .
The Miller he was brisk ond stout,
and did the Maid beguile
The Taylor still against his will,
is forc'd to keep the Child.
Tune of, Billy and M olly: Or. A Job for a Journey-man Shooe-maker.
This may be Printed, R. P.
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A Damsel came to London Town,
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just in the midst of Harvest,
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And she was in a Russet Gown,
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went seeking for a Service,
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Tho' she of money was but bare,
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in this I must commend her,
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For being beautiful and fair,
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kind fortune did befriend her.
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I pray you listen now to me,
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in this that follows after,
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I'le tell her worthy Pedigree,
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she was a Farmers daughter:
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She often went with Grist to Mill,
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where Roger us'd to teaze her,
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When he had gain'd her kind good will,
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then sorrow soon did seize her.
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When he had got her Maiden-head,
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poor heart she straitway dreaded,
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That he with her would never wed,
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because she had crackt her credit,
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Since he alas did her betray,
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she ruin'd was and undone,
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From all her friends she stole away,
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and travel'd up to London .
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As through the Citty she did pass,
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a Taylor chanc'd to meet her,
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She seemed like a proper Lass,
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therefore he did intreat her,
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To tell him if she lackt a place,
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for he could soon advance her,
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She seemed with a modest Grace,
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returning him this answer.
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The want of that is all my care,
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I have this very hower,
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No pains nor labour will I spare,
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but to my utmost power,
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My mind is bent to give content;
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where e're I shall be hired,
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Well hast thou said, fair vertuous Maid,
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by me thou art admired.
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Said he I will do what I can,
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for thee, and 'tis but reason,
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For why I am a single Man,
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and now this very season,
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I have occasion for a Maid,
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sweet Damosel then come hither,
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With all my heart kind Sir she said,
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then home they went together.
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He doted on her beauty bright,
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and often would be billing,
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Still calling her his hearts delight,
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and said was she but willing,
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He'd make her now his lawful wife,
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it was his will and pleasure,
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He promist her a happy Life,
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with riches out of measure.
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She thought upon her former crime,
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therefore she yields to marry,
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As knowing it to be high time,
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no longer would she tarry,
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And thus a hasty match they make,
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they did not stand long arguing,
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The Taylor if I don't mistake,
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he had a thumping bargain.
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When Seven Weeks was gone and past,
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according to Relation,
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His Wife was brought to bed at last,
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a sudden alteration,
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He in a sweat did chafe and fret,
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so sorrow him surrounded,
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To see his charge so soon enlarg'd,
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his heart with grief was wounded.
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The Taylor and the Miller too,
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to end this disputation,
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They both are of the filshing crew,
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none nearer in relation,
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Therefore it seems the case is thus
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he did not much bewail her,
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Because the Child was now at Nurse,
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with Tom his Cousin Taylor.
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The Taylor he was Al[l]-a-mode,
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and of a genteel carriage,
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He reapeth what the Miller sow'd,
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when being joyn'd in Marriage,
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For why he meeting her full pa[t]t,
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her case alas he pittied
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And now must keep the Millers brat,
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pray is he not well fitted.
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