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第18节

ancient poems-第18节

小说: ancient poems 字数: 每页4000字

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Her answer was; 'My heart is burst; My span of life is near an end; My love from me by death is forced; My grief no soul can comprehend。' Then her poor heart it waxed faint; When she had ended her complaint。

For three hours' space; as in a trance; This broken…hearted creature lay; Her mother wailing her mischance; To pacify her did essay: But all in vain; for strength being past; She seemingly did breathe her last。

Her mother; thinking she was dead; Began to shriek and cry amain; And heavy lamentations made; Which called her spirit back again; To be an object of hard fate; And give to grief a longer date。

Distorted with convulsions; she; In dreadful manner gasping lay; Of twelve long hours no moment free; Her bitter groans did her dismay: Then her poor heart being sadly broke; Submitted to the fatal stroke。

When things were to this issue brought; Both in one grave were to he laid: But flinty…hearted Hannah thought; By stubborn means for to persuade; Their friends and neighbours from the same; For which she surely was to blame。

And being asked the reason why; Such base objections she did make; She answered thus scornfully; In words not fit for Billingsgate: 'She might have taken fairer on … Or else be hanged:' Oh heart of stone!

What hell…born fury had possessed; Thy vile inhuman spirit thus? What swelling rage was in thy breast; That could occasion this disgust; And make thee show such spleen and rage; Which life can't cure nor death assuage?

Sure some of Satan's minor imps; Ordained were to be thy guide; To act the part of sordid pimps; And fill thy heart with haughty pride; But take this caveat once for all; Such devilish pride must have a fall。

But when to church the corpse was brought; And both of them met at the gate; What mournful tears by friends were shed; When that alas it was too late; … When they in silent grave were laid; Instead of pleasing marriage…bed。

You parents all both far and near; By this sad story warning take; Nor to your children be severe; When they their choice in love do make; Let not the love of cursed gold; True lovers from their love withhold。



Ballad: THE CRAFTY LOVER; OR; THE LAWYER OUTWITTED。

Tune of I LOVE THEE MORE AND MORE。



'THIS excellent old ballad is transcribed from a copy printed in  Aldermary church…yard。  It still continues to be published in the  old broadside form。'


Of a rich counsellor I write; Who had one only daughter; Who was of youthful beauty bright; Now mark what follows after。 (10) Her uncle left her; I declare; A sumptuous large possession; Her father he was to take care Of her at his discretion。

She had ten thousand pounds a…year; And gold and silver ready; And courted was by many a peer; Yet none could gain this lady。 At length a squire's youngest son In private came a…wooing; And when he had her favour won; He feared his utter ruin。

The youthful lady straightway cried; 'I must confess I love thee; Though lords and knights I have denied; Yet none I prize above thee: Thou art a jewel in my eye; But here;' said she; 'the care is; … I fear you will be doomed to die For stealing of an heiress。'

The young man he replied to her Like a true politician; 'Thy father is a counsellor; I'll tell him my condition。 Ten guineas they shall be his fee; He'll think it is some stranger; Thus for the gold he'll counsel me; And keep me safe from danger。'

Unto her father he did go; The very next day after; But did not let the lawyer know The lady was his daughter。 Now when the lawyer saw the gold That he should be she gainer; A pleasant trick to him he told With safety to obtain her。

'Let her provide a horse;' he cried; 'And take you up behind her; Then with you to some parson ride Before her parents find her: That she steals you; you may complain; And so avoid their fury。 Now this is law I will maintain Before or judge or jury。

'Now take my writing and my seal; Which I cannot deny thee; And if you any trouble feel; In court I will stand by thee。' 'I give you thanks;' the young man cried; 'By you I am befriended; And to your house I'll bring my bride After the work is ended。'

Next morning; ere the day did break; This news to her he carried; She did her father's counsel take And they were fairly married; And now they felt but ill at case; And; doubts and fears expressing; They home returned; and on their knees They asked their father's blessing;

But when he had beheld them both; He seemed like one distracted; And vowed to be revenged on oath For what they now had acted。 With that bespoke his new…made son … 'There can be no deceiving; That this is law which we have done Here is your hand and sealing!'

The counsellor did then reply; Was ever man so fitted; 'My hand and seal I can't deny; By you I am outwitted。 'Ten thousand pounds a…year in store 'She was left by my brother; And when I die there will be more; For child I have no other。

'She might have had a lord or knight; From royal loins descended; But; since thou art her heart's delight; I will not be offended; 'If I the gordian knot should part; 'Twere cruel out of measure; Enjoy thy love; with all my heart; In plenty; peace; and pleasure。'



Ballad: THE DEATH OF QUEEN JANE。  (TRADITIONAL。)



'WE have seen an old printed copy of this ballad; which was written  probably about the date of the event it records; 1537。  Our version  was taken down from the singing of a young gipsy girl; to whom it  had descended orally through two generations。  She could not  recollect the whole of it。  In Miss Strickland's LIVES OF THE  QUEENS OF ENGLAND; we find the following passage: 'An English  ballad is extant; which; dwelling on the elaborate mourning of  Queen Jane's ladies; informs the world; in a line of pure bathos;

In black were her ladies; and black were their faces。'

Miss Strickland does not appear to have seen the ballad to which  she refers; and as we are not aware of the existence of any other  ballad on the subject; we presume that her line of 'pure bathos' is  merely a corruption of one of the ensuing verses。'


QUEEN JANE was in travail For six weeks or more; Till the women grew tired; And fain would give o'er。 'O women!  O women! Good wives if ye be; Go; send for King Henrie; And bring him to me。'

King Henrie was sent for; He came with all speed; In a gownd of green velvet From heel to the head。 'King Henrie!  King Henrie! If kind Henrie you be; Send for a surgeon; And bring him to me。'

The surgeon was sent for; He came with all speed; In a gownd of black velvet From heel to the head。 He gave her rich caudle; But the death…sleep slept she。 Then her right side was opened; And the babe was set free。

The babe it was christened; And put out and nursed; While the royal Queen Jane She lay cold in the dust。

* * * * *

So black was the mourning; And white were the wands; Yellow; yellow the torches; They bore in their hands。

The bells they were muffled; And mournful did play; While the royal Queen Jane She lay cold in the clay。

Six knights and six lords Bore her corpse through the grounds; Six dukes followed after; In black mourning gownds。

The flower of Old England Was laid in cold clay; Whilst the royal King Henrie Came weeping away。



Ballad: THE WANDERING YOUNG GENTLEWOMAN; OR; CATSKIN。



'THE following version of this ancient English ballad has been  collated with three copies。  In some editions it is called  CATSKIN'S GARLAND; OR; THE WANDERING YOUNG GENTLEWOMAN。  The story  has a close similarity to that of CINDERELLA; and is supposed to be  of oriental origin。  Several versions of it are current in  Scandinavia; Germany; Italy; Poland; and Wales。  For some account  of it see PICTORIAL BOOK OF BALLADS; ii。 153; edited by Mr。 J。 S。   Moore。'


PART 1。

YOU fathers and mothers; and children also; Draw near unto me; and soon you shall know The sense of my ditty; and I dare to say; The like's not been heard of this many a day。

The subject which to you I am to relate; It is of a young squire of vast estate; The first dear infant his wife did him bear; It was a young daughter of beauty most rare。

He said to his wife; 'Had this child been a boy; 'Twould have pleased me better; and increased my joy; If the next be the same sort; I declare; Of what I'm possessed it shall have no share。'

In twelve months' time after; this woman; we hear; Had another daughter of beauty most clear; And when that he knew it was but a female; Into a bitter passion he presently fell;

Saying; 'Since this is of the same sort as the first; In my habitation she shall not be nursed; Pray let her be sent into the countrie; For where I am; truly; this child shall not be。'

With tears his dear wife unto him did say; 'Husband; be contented; I'll send her away。' Then to the countrie with speed her did send; For to be brought up by one was her friend。

Although that her father he hated her so; He a good education on her did bestow; And with a gold locket; and robes of the best; This slighted young damsel was commonly dressed。

And when unto stature this damsel was grown; And found from her father she had no love shown; She cried; 'Before I will lay under his frown; I'm resolved to travel the country around。'

PART II。

But now mark; good peopl

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