5
Sir, were you a beggar, I would be your wife,
Because, when just dying, you saved my life.
I ne'er shall forget that token of love,
Of all men living I prize thee above;
Since it is so ordered, I’m well pleased I vow,
And glad my dear father these things do allow;
Pray sell off your goods that you have on store,
And give all your money to those that are poor,
And let us be jogging with speed o'er the main,
For I long to see my dear parents again.
This thing was soon done, and they sailed away
In the ship that her father sent for her convoy:
But mark what was acted on the ocean wide,
To deprive the Factor of his royal bride.
The Captain who conveyed them over the deep
One night as the Factor was laid in his sleep,
Being under sail, over-board did him throw,
Saying, now I shall have this young creature I know.
There happ'ned to be a small island at hand,
To which the Factor swam as I understand;
And there I shall leave him a while for to mourn,
And unto the ship again will return.
Next morning, as soon as daylight did peep,
He wak'd the young princess out of her sleep,
And said, Noble lady, the Factor's not here,
He's fall'n overboard and drowned I fear.
To hear the sad news, then her eyes they did flow:
He said, Noble lady, since now it is so,
There's none here can help it, do not troubled be,
For thou in short space your dear parents shall see.
