1

'Twas of a brisk young lady
And of a 'prentice boy.
They courted one another,
And he was all her joy;
The 'prentice boy was banish'd
Unto a foreign shore,
And sad at heart he fancied
He'd never see her more.

2

There came that way a squire
A man of high degree,
Said he: 'I'll give you wages
Be servant unto me.'
But oh! the fair young lady
She piteously did cry
All for the love she bore him
She thought that she must die.

3

Now first he was in stable,
With horses at the stall,
And then advanced to table,
And servÈd in the hall.
And next he was advancÈd
As butler to the same
And for his good behaviour
A steward last became.

4

O then into a lottery
He put his money down,
He drew a prize and gainÈd
Full twenty thousand pound.
'Farewell, farewell my master!
Farewell, my lady kind!
For I must seek my own true love
That tarrieth behind.'

5

He dress'd himself in velvet,
In gold and silver braid;
And so returned to England
To his true love with speed.
And when he did espy her
T'embrace her did essay,
But from his arms she started
And frightened drew away.

6

'Your gold and shining silver
Your velvets I defy
I love a humble 'prentice
I'll love him till I die.'
'O lady fair! my only,
Return unto my arms.
I many years was banish'd
And might not see your charms.'

7

Then closely she observed him,
And knew him now again.
Her smiles dispelled her fears
As sun disperseth rain.
With kisses out of measure
She clasped him to her heart,
'O now we meet together,
We never more shall, part.'