Page:Factor's garland, and princess' happy marriage (2).pdf/5



He said, Noble Lady, I have a good news to tell,

The old Prince your father and mother’s both well;

And your royal parents this thing have design’d,

In the bond of wedlock: we both shall be join’d.

Perhaps noble Lady, you would not agree

To marry a poor man, especially me.

Sir, were you a beggar, I would be your wife,

Because, when just dying, you saved my life!

I ne’er shall forget that great token of love!

Of men now breathing, I prize thee above,

Since it is so order’d I’m pleased I vow,

And glad my dear father these things do allow.

Pray sell off your goods that you have in store,

And give all your money to those that are poor;

And let us be jogging with speed o’er the main,

For I long for to see my dear parents again.

This thing was soon done, and they sailed away,

In the ship that her father sent for her convoy;

But mark what was on the ocean wide,

To deprive the Factor of his Royal Bride.

The Captain who conveyed him over the deep,

One nigh as the Factor was laid in his sieep,

Being under sail over board did him throw,

Saying, Now I shall have this young creature I know.

There happ’ned to be a small island at hand,

To which this Factor swam as I understand.

And there I will leave him a while for to mourn,

And unto the ship now again will return.

Next morning then, soon as day-light did peep,

He wak’d the young Princess out of her sleep;

And said, Noble, Lady, the Factor’s not here,

He’s fall’n over board and drowned I fear,