‘It’s fare ye weel, gudewife, an it’s fare ye weel, gudeman, Ye hae a gude fat doughter, an I rattled on her pan. =b.= 12 ‘If she had been an honest lass, as I took her to be, She micht hae ridden in her coach-an-four this day along wi me.’ =a.= 12 Then he took oot a whistle, an he’s blawn baith loud and shrill, There was four-an-twenty foresters cam at their master’s will. 13 Then he took oot a wee pen-knife, an let his duddies fa, And he was the brawest gentleman that was amang them a’. The English broadside, Pepys Ballads, III, 73, No 71. THE POLLITICK BEGGER-MAN. Who got the love of a pretty maid And on her cittern sweetly plaid; At last she slung her milk-pail over the wall, And bid the De’l take milk-pail, maidenhead and all. Tune is, There was a jovial begger.[96] Printed for F. Coles, T. Vere, J. Wright, and J. Clarke. 1 There was a jovial begger-man, a begging he was bound, And he did seek his living in country and in town. With a long staff and a patcht coat, he prancd along the pad, And by report of many a one he was a proper lad. His cheeks were like the crimson rose, his forehead smooth and high, And he was the bravest begger-man that ever I saw with eye. 2 He came unto a farmer’s gate and for an alms did crave; The maid did like the begger-man and good relief she gave. She took him by the lilly hand and set him to the fire, Which was as well as tongue could tell Or heart of man desire. 3 A curious mess of firmaty for him she did provide, With a lovely cup of nut-brown and sugar sops beside. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 ‘Sweet-heart, give me some lodging, that I all night may stay, Or else give me my answer, that I may go away.’ The maid went to the hay-mow and fetcht a bottle of hay, And laid it behind the parlor-door, On which the begger-man lay. 5 ‘Resolve me,’ said the maiden, ‘if that you will or can, For I do verily believe thou art a gentleman.’ ‘In truth then,’ said the begger, ‘my parents they are poor, And I do seek my living each day from door to door.’ 6 ‘’Tis pity,’ said this maiden fair, ‘that such a lively lad Should be a begger’s only heir, a fortune poor and bad. I wish that my condition were of the same degree, Then hand in hand I’de quickly wend throughout the world with thee.’ 7 When he perceivd the maiden’s mind, and that her heart was his, He did embrace her in his arms And sweetly did her kiss. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .