7
If thou wilt promise and be true to me,
To give the first babe that is born to thee,
When 30 months old, to that court I’ll thee bring,
I will not release thee, without that very thing.
The Factor consider’d that this would cause grief,
And without it, for him there was no relief;
He cried, Life is sweet, and my life for to save,
Carry me to that place, and your will you shall have,
So soon’s he was carried to the court and when
He came to the gates, he saw his Lady then
Looking out of his window, who seeing him there,
From grief transported to joy they were.
He into the court then, with joy was receiv’d,
Where his Lady met him, who for him had griev’d.
And said, My dear jewel, my joy, and my dear,
O! where have you tarried? I pray let me hear.
Where so long he tarried, he then did relate,
And by what means he came to her father’s gate;
He said, I was thrown overboard in my sleep,
I think ’twas the Captain threw me in the deep.
With that the Captain was sent for with speed.
And hearing the Factor was come there indeed,
To show himself guilty, like a cruel knave,
⟨Leapt⟩ into the ocean, which proved his grave.
Next with great triumph and joy we do find,
This Factor and Lady in marriage were join’d;
And within the compass and space of three year,
They had a fine son and daughter we here.
The son was the first-born, a perfect beauty,
And was well belov’d of the whole family,
When 30 months old, came the man for his child,
Who releas’d the Factor from the desart Isle.
When the Factor saw him, his eyes they ⟨did flow⟩,
