Page:Factor's garland (4).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, give him unto me;

With that the whole family wept bitterly.

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

To think I with such a dear infant must part,

To one that will carry it the Lord knows where,

And perhaps in pieces my darling will tear.

With that she embraced it, and down the tears fell

And having kissed it, bid it farewell,

Saying, It is for the sake of my husband and I

We part with our 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 body lying on the ground.

And to have it buried you gave fifty pounds.

Sir, I am the spirit of that dead body,

I saved your life for that great love shown to me,

You may keep your darling, & the Lord bless you

So away it vanished quite out of the hall,

Being gone, the old prince and princess likewise

The babes tender parents with tears in their eyes,

With joy then embraces the darling their son,

Saying, child had thou left us we had all been done.

Now I'll leave the conrt full of joy and great

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.