Page:Auld wife ayont the fire.pdf/6

 (6) POLLY OLIVER. AS Polly lay muſing one night on her bed, A comical ditty came into her head ; Neither father nor mother ſhall make me falſe prove, l'll lift for a ſoldier and follow my love. Early in the morning miſs Polly aroſe, And dreſſed herſelf in a ſuit of man's clothes, Coat, waiſtcoat and breeches, with a word by her ſide, On her father's brave gelding like a trooper did ride. - She rode till ſhe came to fair Stafford town, And there the diſmounted at the ſign of the Crown ; The first man the law was an Engliſhman bold, The next was a captain, Polly Oliver's love. Says Polly. here's a letter I brought from your dear, Says Polly, here's a letter I brought from your dear, And in the fame letter there's a guinea and a crown, For you and your ſoldiers to drink her health round. Then ſupper being over, Polly hang down her head, She call'd for a candle to light her to bed ; No ſays the captain, I've a bed at my caſe, And you nay lie along with me, Sir, if you pleaſe. To lie with my captain is a dangerous thing; I'm a view.lifted ſoldier to fight for my king; To fight for any king, boys, by ſea and by land, And tho' you're my captain, I'm not at your command. So early in the morning young Polly aroſe, And dressed herſelf in her own female clothes; And as the came down from the chambers above, She cry?d, I'm Polly Oliver your loyal true love. The captain he bluſh'd end hang down his head, And then with a ring they were married indeed, Had you lain with me the firſt night the fault had been mine. I'll ſtrive to pleaſe you better; love now in my time.