VIII.

THE BAILIFF'S DAUGHTER OF ISLINGTON.

From an ancient black-letter copy in the Pepys _Collection_, with some improvements communicated by a lady as she had heard the same recited in her youth. The full title is, _True love requited: Or, the Bailiff's daughter of Islington_.

_Islington_ in Norfolk is probably the place here meant.

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[Copies of this charming old ballad are found in all the large collections, and two tunes are associated with it.

Percy's suggestion that Islington in Norfolk is referred to is not a probable one, and there seems to be no reason for depriving the better known Islington of the south of the honour of having given birth to the bailiff's daughter. Islington at the time when this ballad was written was a country village quite unconnected with London, and a person who represented "a squier minstrel of Middlesex" made a speech before Queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth in 1575, in which he declared "how the worshipful village of Islington [was] well knooen too bee one of the most auncient and best tounz in England, next to London."]

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There was a youthe, and a well-beloved youthe, And he was a squires son; He loved the bayliffes daughter deare, That lived in Islington.

Yet she was coye and would not believe 5 That he did love her soe, Noe nor at any time would she Any countenance to him showe.

But when his friendes did understand His fond and foolish minde, 10 They sent him up to faire London An apprentice for to binde.

And when he had been seven long yeares, And never his love could see: Many a teare have I shed for her sake, 15 When she little thought of mee.

Then all the maids of Islington Went forth to sport and playe, All but the bayliffes daughter deare; She secretly stole awaye. 20

She pulled off her gowne of greene, And put on ragged attire, And to faire London she would go Her true love to enquire.

And as she went along the high road, 25 The weather being hot and drye, She sat her downe upon a green bank, And her true love came riding bye.

She started up, with a colour soe redd, Catching hold of his bridle-reine; 30 One penny, one penny, kind sir, she sayd, Will ease me of much paine.

Before I give you one penny, sweet-heart, Praye tell me where you were borne. At Islington, kind sir, sayd shee, 35 Where I have had many a scorne.

I prythee, sweet-heart, then tell to mee, O tell me, whether you knowe The bayliffes daughter of Islington, She is dead, sir, long agoe. 40

If she be dead, then take my horse, My saddle and bridle also; For I will into some farr countrye, Where noe man shall me knowe.

O staye, O staye, thou goodlye youthe, 45 She standeth by thy side; She is here alive, she is not dead, And readye to be thy bride.

O farewell griefe, and welcome joye, Ten thousand times therefore; 50 For nowe I have founde mine owne true love, Whom I thought I should never see more.