(5)
The branch where he sat hung over the pond,
and each puff of wind made it totter;
Pleased with the thoughts, he should sit so abscond,
and see them go into the water.
when the old man was safe in his bed,
the daughters to the pond repair'd, Sir;
One to the other two, laughing, she said,
as high as our bubbies we'll venture.
Upon the tender green grass they sat down,
and they all were of delicate feature;
⟨each⟩ pull'd off her petticoats, smock and gown,
no sight could ever be sweeter.
⟨Into⟩ the pond then they a dabbling went,
so clean that they needed no washing;
⟨But⟩ they were all so unluckily bent
like boys they began to be bathing.
⟨If⟩ any should chance to see us says one,
they'd think we were goddess's of evils,
and from the sight of us would quickly run,
to avoid so many white devils.
This put the youth into such merry pin,
he let go his hold through laughter;
and as it fell out, he fell tumbling in,
and fear'd them all out of the water.
The old man by this time a noise had heard,
and rose out of his bed in a fright, Sir,
and comes to the door with an old rusty sword,
there stood in a posture to fight, Sir.
