True Love Requited

There was a youth, and a well-belov'd youth
and he was a Esquires Son,
He loved the Bayliffs daughter dear
that lived in Islington.

She was coy, and she would not believe
that he did love her so;
No, nor at any time she would
any countenance to him shew.

But when his friends did understand
his fond and foolish mind,
They sent him up to fair London
an Apprentice for to bind.

And when he had been seven long years
and his Love he had not seen,
Many a tear have I shed for her sake
when she little thought of me.

All the Maids of Islington
when forth to sport and play;
All but the Bayliffs Daughter dear,
she secretly stole away.

She put off her Gown of gray,
and put on her puggish Attire;
She's up to fair London gone
her true Love to require.

As she went along the Road,
the weather being hot and dry,
There was she aware of her true Love,
at length came riding by.

She stept to him as red as any Rose,
and took him by the Bridal Ring,
I pray you kind Sir give me one penny
to ease my weary Limb.

I prithee sweetheart canst thou tell me
where that thou wast born?
At Islington kind Sir, said she,
where I have had many a scorn.

I prithee sweet-heart canst thou tell me
whether thou dost know
The Bailiffs Daughter of Islington?
she's dead, Sir, long ago.

Then will I sell my goodly Steed,
my Saddle, and my Bow,
I will into some far Country,
where no man doth me know.

O stay, O stay, thou goodly Youth
she's alive, she is not dead;
Here she standeth by thy side,
and is ready to be thy Bride.

O farewell grief, and welcome joy,
ten thousand times and more;
For now I have seen my own true Love,
that I thought I should have seen no more.