7
⟨If⟩ thou wilt promise, and be true to me,
⟨To⟩ give me the first babe that is born to thee,
⟨When⟩ thirty months old, to that court I'll thee bring,
⟨I⟩ will not release thee without that very thing.
The Factor consider'd that thing 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 her window, who seeing him there,
From sorrow transported to joy they were.
He unto 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,
(illegible text)! 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 into 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 find,
This Factor and the lady in marriage were join'd;
And within the compass and space of three year,
They had a fine son and daughter, we hear.
The son was tho first-born, a perfect beauty,
And was well belov'd of the whole family:
