Close ×

Search EBBA

Advanced Search

EBBA 31026

British Library - Roxburghe
Ballad XSLT Template
Sir William of the West:
OR,
The Entire Love and Courtship, between a Noble Knight and
Beautiful Mary; a Ministers Daughter in Dorsetshire.
Tune of The Ring of Gold. Licensed according to Order.

YOung William met his Love
taking her Pleasure,
Whom he did prize above
all Worldly Treasure;
When she appeard in sight,
said he, sweet Jewel
Thou art my hearts delight
O! be not Cruel.

Let me one smile injoy
thy heart surrender,
Love be no longer Coy
to thy Pretender;

My fading Joys restore
why shouldst thou grieve me?
Thy Charms I do adore,
dearest believe me.

Mary my only Joy,
pity thy Lover
Do not my Life destroy
while I discover,
How I am here inflamd
by thy fair Beauty
Sure I cannot be blamd
to own my Duty.

I am commanded so
by Cupids Power,
Darts from whose fatal Bow
soon will Devour
My Life, if I deny
to fall before thee,
Therefore Love, live or dye
I will adore thee.

Five hundred pounds a year
I am possessing,
And if thou wilt my dear,
grant me the Blessing,
Thou shalt be Dame of all
I cant deny thee,
If now in Love I shall
dearest, lye by thee.

Here take both heart and hand
I dearly love thee
No Lady in the Land
shall shine above thee,
The same shall ever hold
no Friend shall check thee,
In Robes of shining Gold
and Pearl Ill deck thee.

Love had I now this day
the Gold of Craesus
Id not be drawn away;
kind Heaven bless us:
Still will I dote on thee,
this is no Story,
Thou shouldst a Partner be
of all my Glory.

The Damsel then replyd
If you are Loyal
I yield to be your Bride
without denyal:
Gain but my Friends Good will,
Father and Mother,
Whom I have honourd still,
above all other.

When you have their Consent,
that we should marry,
Then I am well content,
long will not tarry;
At their discretion I
still will be guided,
Who from my Infancy
for me provided.

I hope said he, my Love,
theyll not deny me,
If my sweet tender Dove
will but stand by me.
With that he streight did go
in hopes to have her;
They never answerd no,
but freely gave her.

She was a fair young Dame,
a Parsons Daughter;
He from a Baron came,
of whom hereafter
A large Account Ill give
when I have leisure,
How they in Triumph live,
Joy, Peace, and Pleasure.


Printed for P. Brooksby, J. Deacon, J. Blare, and J. Back.

View Raw XML