EBBA 31009
British Library - Roxburghe
Ballad XSLT Template
THE
West Country Nymph
Or the Loyal Maid of Bristol.
The Flower of Bristol doth complain
For the absence of her Love
And vows she constant will remain
Like to the Turtle Dove.
Tune, Young Jammy.
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COme all you Maidens fair
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and listen to my Ditty
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In Bristol City fair,
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there livd a damsel pretty
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She to a Seaman was engagd
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him she did love most dear.
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And when the roaring Billows ragd
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her heart was filld with fear.
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When stormy winds did blow
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she sorely was oppressed
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Her countenance did show
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that she was much distressed
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Quoth she you gods what do you mean
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to fill me thus with fear
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Such storms as these were never seen
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but yet preserve my Dear.
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For I will constant be
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and ever faithful to him,
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Thrice happy shall I be
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if er I live to view him
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But shoud he dye and not return
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as I do greatly fear
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I with the Turtle Dove will mourn
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for my beloved Dear.
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For he is in mine eye
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the glory of this Nation
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And at his constancy
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I stand in admiration.
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It would my heart most joyful make
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to see my love appear
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Which now with fear doth sadly ake
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for my beloved dear.
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You that are crosd in Love
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my happiness admire
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My dear doth constant prove
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what can I more desire
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Ile go and stand on Dundre Hill
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to see his ship appear
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Where by my self ile weep my fill
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for my beloved dear.
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But if by cruel fate
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my true love should miscarry
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Who could my grief relate
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in Bristol ide ner tarry.
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To some strange Deserts I would fly
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and wander far and near
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With woful screeks to pierce the sky
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for my beloved dear.
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But yet my Love so kind
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I think the duce was in thee
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To leave me here behind
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and Sail unto Virginny,
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Make hast and home return again
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or I shall dye with fear
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For my poor sake now leave the Main
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mine own beloved dear.
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Didst thou the torments know
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that I have long endured
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It would procure thy woe
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ime certainly assured,
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Thourt unacquainted with my pain
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my sorrow and my fear
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Oh then make hast and come again
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mine own beloved dear.
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No soul beneath the Sun
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hath been more heavy hearted
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Since my true Love was gone
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and from his dearest parted
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But time I hope will make amends
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for all my care and fear
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When we two meet like faithful friends
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then will I hug my dear.
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Till then I shall lament
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for the absence of my true Love
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And pine in discontent
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I hope tis so with you love
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And every day I wish for thee
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to banish all my fear
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O quickly come and comfort me
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my own beloved dear.
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