Page:Factor's garland (4).pdf/5



E said, noble lady, I've great news to tell,

The old prince your father and mother are well,

And your royal parents this thing have design'd,

In bonds of wedlock we both shall be join'd.

Perhaps noble lady, you will uot agree

To marry a poor man, especially me.

Sir, was 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 loe,

Of all men now breathing I prize you above;

And since 'tis so ordered, I'm well pleas'd I vow,

glad my dear father this thing will allow.

Pray sell off your goods that you have in store,

And give all the money to those that are poor;

And let us be jogging with speed over the main,

For I long to see my dear parents again.

This thing was soon done, and they sailed away

that ship her father sent for a couvoy;

But mark what happened on the ocean wide,

To deprive the factor of his royal bride.

The captain that convoy'd him over the deep,

One night then as the factor lay in a deep sleep,

Being then under sail, overboard did him throw,

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

There happened to be a small island at hand

Which the factor swam to, as I understand,

And there I will leave him some time for to mourn,

And unto the ship again I'll return.

On morning, as soon as day light it did peep,

The captain waked the princess from her sleep,

And said, Noble lady, the factor's not here,

He's fall'n overboard and drowned, I fear,

To hear this sad news, then her eyes they did flow.

He said, Noble lady, now since it is so,