Page:Moorland Johnny.pdf/5

 I repent this foolish fit, and do pray for more wit

To behave more wisely the time that’s to come,

Than daftly to lament a thing that is mispent,

which indeed is the thing I have foolishly done.

But let never a man do as I have done,

And I pray you to take this counsel of me,

To keep yourselves free till before the priest you be,

Least you be deceived deceitfully.

Concerning whom I speak my heart is like to break,

And has brought me near to my very grave;

Yet I hope I will recover, to range the world over,

And never more to be a woman's slave,

Altho no mention I have made

What is my name, tho’ I be not asham’d

To tell what I am, nor from whence I came,

Altho this woman I have not nam’d

If my name you want to know the same is still to show,

Altho it is needless the same to disclose;

My name is moorland Johnny I’m better than I’m bonny,

And sometimes I wear some holes in my hose.

Father was once a great merchant,

As any in Ireland was found,

But saith he could ne’er save a shilling,

Tho' tatoes he sold by the pound.