Shipwreck'd sailor/Roger the miller

ROGER the MILLER.

YOung Roger the miller he has courted of late,
A farmer’s young daughter call’d beautiful Kate,
Whose wealthy portion was full fifty pounds,
Besides store of riches with forbela gowns.

Silk ribbons, fine laces, with diamonds and rings,
With sumptuous apparel, and twenty fine things,
This amorous beauty, and money likewise,
Has tickled his fancy and dazzled his eyes.

That he was obliged to tell her his mind,
Desiring that she would prove loving and kind,
For no other woman should e’er be his wife,
For she was the jewel and joy of his life.

He often repeated fine stories of love,
How constant he’d be, and how faithful he’d prove;
Until this loving creature began to relent,
And with her friends liking she gave her consent.

All things being agreed that the wedding should be
With Roger her lover, and soon they agreed;
The day was appointed, the money was told,
Which was a bright portion of silver and gold.

But Roger he then to her father said,
O I will not wed this beautiful maid,
Altho’ she be beautiful, charming, and fair,
Without an addition of Lib the grey mare.

Her father made answer unto him with speed,
I thought you would have marry’d my daughter indeed,
And not the grey mare. But since it is thus,
My money once more I will put in my purse.

And since I am her father, I solemnly swear
I'll keep both my money and Lib the grey mare.
The money soon vanished out of his sight,
And so did young Katie, his joy and delight.

And he like a blockhead was turn’d out of doors,
Forbidding him ever to come any more.
Young Roger began his locks for to tear,
And wish he had never stood for the grey mare.

But five days thereafter or little above,
He happen’d to meet with young Katie his love,
Saying. O lovely creature, do you not know me,
If I’m not mistaken I’ve seen you, said she,

Or one in your likeness with long yellow hair.
Who once came a courting my father’s grey mare.
O no, it was unto you a courting I came,
As sure as you’re beautiful Katie by name.

O now, says she, you need not deny.
For the truth of the matter was very well try’d;
For unto my father you solemnly sware,
You would not wed his daughter without the grey mare.

I must needs acknowledge I would have had both,
That sometime for pleasure we might have rode,
Not thinking that he would have any dispute,
By giving his daughter the grey mare to boot,

Before he had lost such a dutiful son;
But now I am sorry for what I have done.
Be sorry, says Katty, I value you not,
There is young men enough in this world for to get.

But surely the man must be at his last prayers.
Who would marry a wife for the sake of a mare.
The price thereof it was not very great,
So fare you well, Roger, go mourn for your Kate.