EBBA 31182
British Library - Roxburghe
Ballad XSLT Template
The WEAVER and
CHAMBERMAID.
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I Am a weaver by my trade,
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And fell in love with a chambermaid:
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And if I could but her favour win,
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Then I would weave and she should spin.
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My father scornfully to me said,
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How could I fancy a chambermaid?
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Where there were ladies both fine and gay,
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Dressd like some godess or queen of may.
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What care I for a lady gay,
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Had I but my chambermaid,
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A chambermaid altho she be,
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Happy is the man that enjoyeth she.
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I slipd up to my loves chamber door,
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Where oft times I had been before;
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But I neither durst speak, nor yet go in,
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To that pleasant bed that my love lies in.
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How can you call it a pleasant bed?
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Where no one is but a chambermaid;
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A chambermaid altho she be,
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Blessd is the man that enjoyeth she:
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Shall I go, love, or shall I stay?
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Shall I tarry till the break of day?
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With heavy sighs to me she said,
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Why was I born to die a maid?
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So I put my shuttle into her hand,
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And bid her use it at her command,
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She took it kindly, and used it free,
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So she learnd to weave along with me.
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When that she had learned her trade,
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Smiling unto me she said,
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My loom is ready you may begin,
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You shall weave, and I will spin.
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