Ancient Poems [17]
not asked of your brother John.' Far on the road as they rode along, There did they meet with her brother John. She stooped low to kiss him sweet, He to her heart did a dagger meet. (2) 'Ride on, ride on,' cried the servingman, 'Methinks your bride she looks wondrous wan.' 'I wish I were on yonder stile, For there I would sit and bleed awhile. 'I wish I were on yonder hill, There I'd alight and make my will.' 'What would you give to your father dear?' 'The gallant steed which doth me bear.' 'What would you give to your mother dear?' 'My wedding shift which I do wear. 'But she must wash it very clean, For my heart's blood sticks in every seam.' 'What would you give to your sister Anne?' 'My gay gold ring, and my feathered fan.' 'What would you give to your brother John?' 'A rope, and a gallows to hang him on.' 'What would you give to your brother John's wife?' 'A widow's weeds, and a quiet life.'
Poem: THE BLIND BEGGAR OF BEDNALL GREEN. SHOWING HOW HIS DAUGHTER WAS MARRIED TO A KNIGHT, AND HAD THREE THOUSAND POUND TO HER PORTION.
[Percy's copy of THE BEGGAR'S DAUGHTER OF BEDNALL GREEN is known to be very incorrect: besides many alterations and improvements which it received at the hands of the Bishop, it contains no less than eight stanzas written by Robert Dodsley, the author of THE ECONOMY OF HUMAN LIFE. So far as poetry is concerned, there cannot be a question that the version in the RELIQUES IS far superior to the original, which is still a popular favourite, and a correct copy of which is now given, as it appears in all the common broadside editions that have been printed from 1672 to the present time. Although the original copies have all perished, the ballad has been very satisfactorily proved by Percy to have been written in the reign of Elizabeth. The present reprint is from a modern copy, carefully collated with one in the Bagford Collection, entitled,
'The rarest ballad that ever was seen, Of the Blind Beggar's Daughter of Bednal Green.'
The imprint to it is, 'Printed by and for W. Onley; and are to be sold by C. Bates, at the sign of the Sun and Bible, in Pye Corner.' The very antiquated orthography adopted in some editions does not rest on any authority. For two tunes to THE BLIND BEGGAR, see POPULAR MUSIC.]
PART I.
THIS song's of a beggar who long lost his sight, And had a fair daughter, most pleasant and bright, And many a gallant brave suitor had she, And none was so comely as pretty Bessee.
And though she was of complexion most fair, And seeing she was but a beggar his heir, Of ancient housekeepers despised was she, Whose sons came as suitors to pretty Bessee.
Wherefore in great sorrow fair Bessee did say: 'Good father and mother, let me now go away, To seek out my fortune, whatever it be.' This suit then was granted to pretty Bessee.
This Bessee, that was of a beauty most bright, They clad in grey russet; and late in the night From father and mother alone parted she, Who sighed and sobbed for pretty Bessee.
She went till she came to Stratford-at-Bow, Then she know not whither or which way to go, With tears she lamented her sad destiny; So sad and so heavy was pretty Bessee.
She kept on her journey until it was day, And went unto Rumford, along the highway; And at the King's Arms entertained was she, So fair and well favoured was pretty Bessee.
She had not been there one month at an end, But master and mistress and all was her friend: And every brave gallant that once did her see, Was straightway in love with pretty Bessee.
Great gifts they did send her of silver and gold, And in their songs daily her love they extolled: Her beauty was blazed in every decree, So fair and so comely was pretty Bessee.
The young men of Rumford in her had their joy, She showed herself courteous, but never too coy, And at their commandment still she would be, So fair and so comely was pretty Bessee.
Four suitors at once unto her did go, They craved her favour, but still she said no; I would not have gentlemen marry with me! Yet ever they honoured
Poem: THE BLIND BEGGAR OF BEDNALL GREEN. SHOWING HOW HIS DAUGHTER WAS MARRIED TO A KNIGHT, AND HAD THREE THOUSAND POUND TO HER PORTION.
[Percy's copy of THE BEGGAR'S DAUGHTER OF BEDNALL GREEN is known to be very incorrect: besides many alterations and improvements which it received at the hands of the Bishop, it contains no less than eight stanzas written by Robert Dodsley, the author of THE ECONOMY OF HUMAN LIFE. So far as poetry is concerned, there cannot be a question that the version in the RELIQUES IS far superior to the original, which is still a popular favourite, and a correct copy of which is now given, as it appears in all the common broadside editions that have been printed from 1672 to the present time. Although the original copies have all perished, the ballad has been very satisfactorily proved by Percy to have been written in the reign of Elizabeth. The present reprint is from a modern copy, carefully collated with one in the Bagford Collection, entitled,
'The rarest ballad that ever was seen, Of the Blind Beggar's Daughter of Bednal Green.'
The imprint to it is, 'Printed by and for W. Onley; and are to be sold by C. Bates, at the sign of the Sun and Bible, in Pye Corner.' The very antiquated orthography adopted in some editions does not rest on any authority. For two tunes to THE BLIND BEGGAR, see POPULAR MUSIC.]
PART I.
THIS song's of a beggar who long lost his sight, And had a fair daughter, most pleasant and bright, And many a gallant brave suitor had she, And none was so comely as pretty Bessee.
And though she was of complexion most fair, And seeing she was but a beggar his heir, Of ancient housekeepers despised was she, Whose sons came as suitors to pretty Bessee.
Wherefore in great sorrow fair Bessee did say: 'Good father and mother, let me now go away, To seek out my fortune, whatever it be.' This suit then was granted to pretty Bessee.
This Bessee, that was of a beauty most bright, They clad in grey russet; and late in the night From father and mother alone parted she, Who sighed and sobbed for pretty Bessee.
She went till she came to Stratford-at-Bow, Then she know not whither or which way to go, With tears she lamented her sad destiny; So sad and so heavy was pretty Bessee.
She kept on her journey until it was day, And went unto Rumford, along the highway; And at the King's Arms entertained was she, So fair and well favoured was pretty Bessee.
She had not been there one month at an end, But master and mistress and all was her friend: And every brave gallant that once did her see, Was straightway in love with pretty Bessee.
Great gifts they did send her of silver and gold, And in their songs daily her love they extolled: Her beauty was blazed in every decree, So fair and so comely was pretty Bessee.
The young men of Rumford in her had their joy, She showed herself courteous, but never too coy, And at their commandment still she would be, So fair and so comely was pretty Bessee.
Four suitors at once unto her did go, They craved her favour, but still she said no; I would not have gentlemen marry with me! Yet ever they honoured