Wit Restor'd/The Miller and the King's Daughter

by James Smith (1605-1667)

For other versions of this work, see The Twa Sisters.

The Miller and the King’s Daughter,
By Mr. Smith.

There were two Sisters they went a playing,
 With a hie downe, downe, a downe-a-
To see their fathers ships come sayling in
 With a hy downe, downe, a downe-a-

And when they came unto the sea-brym,
 With, &c,
The elder did push the younger in;
 With, &c,

O Sister, O Sister,rake me by the gowne,
 With, &c,
And drawe me up upon the dry ground.
 With, &c,

O Sister, O Sister, that may not bee,
 With, &c,
Till salt and oatmeale grow both of a tree;
 With, &c.

Somtymes she sanke, Somtymes she swam,
 With, &c.
Untill she came unto the mil-dam;
 With, &c.

The miller runne hastily downe the cliffe,
 With, &c.
And up he betook her withouten her life,
 With, &c.

What did he doe with her brest bone?
 With, &c.
He made him a viall to play thereupon,
 With, &c.

What did he doe with her fingers so small?
 With, &c.
He made him peggs to his Violl withall;
 With, &c.

What did he doe with her nose-ridge?
 With, &c.
Unto his Violl he made him a bridge,
 With, &c.

What did he do with her Veynes so blewe?
 with, &c.
He made him strings to his Viole thereto;
 with, &c.

What did he doe with her eyes so bright?
 with, &c.
Upon his Violl he playd at first sight;
 with, &c.

What did he doe with her tongue soe rough?
 with, &c.
Unto the violl it spake enough;
 with, &c.

What did he doe with her two shinnes?
 with, &c.
Unto the violl they danc’t Moll Syms;
 with, &c.

Then bespake the treble string,
 with, &c.
O yonder is my father the King;
 with, &c.

Then bespake the second string,
 with, &c.
O yonder sitts my mother the Queen:
 with, &c.

And then bespake the stinges all three,
 with, &c.
O yonder is my sister that drowned mee.
 with, &c.

Now pay the miller for his payne,
 with, &c.
And let him bee gone in the divels name.
 with, &c.