Page:Hodge of the mill, or, An old woman clothed in grey (1).pdf/3

( 3 ) Then who is the father of it come tell me without more delay For now I am just in the fit, to go and hear what he will say.

It is Roger, the damsel reply'd, he call’d me his own pretty bird, And said that I should be his bride, but he was not so good as his word

What! Roger, that lives in the mill? yes, verily, Mother, the same : What! Roger, that lives in the mill? I'll hop to him tho' I am lame.

Go fetch me my crutches with speed, and bring me my spectacles too, A lecture to him I will read, shall ring in his ears thro' and thro'

With that she went hoping away, and went to young Hodge of the mill, On him she her crutches did lay,

and cry'd, You have ruin'd my Girl,

By getting her dear maidenhead, 'tis true, you can no ways deny, Therefore I advise you to wed,

and make her as honest as I.

Then what will you give me? quoth Hodge if I take your Daughter by hand! Will you make me the heir of your lodge your houses, your money, and land?