Page:Factor's garland (3).pdf/8

 He said, it was promised, and I'll have my due;

There's one babe for me, and another for you;

I will have your first-born, come give him to me,

At which all the family wept bitterly.

The babe's mother cried, I am griev'd to the heart,

To think that I with such a dear infant must part,

To one should carry him, the Lord knows where,

And perhaps in pieces my darling will tear.

With that she embrac'd him and down the tears fell,

And then having kiss'd him she bade him farewell,

Saying, it is for the sake of husband that I

Do part with my first-born though for him I die

So then this grim ghost to her husband did say,

Sir, do you remember, in Turkey one day,

You saw a dead man's corpse lying on the ground,

And to have it buried you gave fifty pound.

Sir, I am the spirit of that dead body,

I saved your life for that great love to me,

You may keep your babe, and God bless you all,

With that it vanished out of the hall.

Being gone the old Prince and the princess likewise

The babe's tender parents with tears in their eyes,

With joy they embrac'd their darling young son,

Saying, child had thou left us, we had been undone.

Now we'll leave the court with joy and great mirth

To love one another while God gives them breath,

And now by this Factor we may see indeed

No mortal can prevent what fate has decreed.