"A fair maid walking all in her garden, a brisk young sailor she chanced to spy,
He stepped up to her thinking to woo her, cried thus: "Fair maid, can you fancy I?"
"You seem to be some man of honor, some man of honor you seem to be,
I am a poor and lowly maiden, not fitting, sir, your servant for to be."
"Not fitting for to be my servant? No, I've a greater regard for you.
I'd marry you, and make you a lady, and I'd have servants for to wait on you."
"I have a true love all of my own, sir, and seven long years he's been gone from me,
But seven more I will wait for him; if he's alive, he'll return to me.
If seven long years thy love is gone from thee, he is surely either dead or drowned,
But if seven more you will wait for him, if he's alive, then he will be found.
He put his hand all in his bosom, his fingers they were both long and small.
He showed to her then the true-love token, and when she saw it, down then she did fall.
He took her up all in his arms, and gave her kisses, one, two and three,
Here stands thy true and faithful sailor, who has just now returned to marry thee." |