F
Hume’s Sir Hugh of Lincoln, p. 35, obtained from recitation in Ireland.
1
’Twas on a summer’s morning
Some scholars were playing at ball,
When out came the Jew’s daughter
And leand her back against the wall.
2
She said unto the fairest boy,
Come here to me, Sir Hugh;
‘No! I will not,’ said he,
‘Without my playfellows too.’
3
She took an apple out of her pocket,
And trundled it along the plain,
And who was readiest to lift it
Was little Sir Hugh again.
4
She took him by the milk-white han,
An led him through many a hall,
Until they came to one stone chamber,
Where no man might hear his call.
5
She set him in a goolden chair,
And jaggd him with a pin,
And called for a goolden cup
To houl his heart’s blood in.
6
She tuk him by the yellow hair,
An also by the feet,
An she threw him in the deep draw-well;
It was fifty fadom deep.
7
Day bein over, the night came on,
And the scholars all went home;
Then every mother had her son,
But little Sir Hugh’s had none.
8
She put her mantle about her head,
Tuk a little rod in her han,
An she says, Sir Hugh, if I fin you here,
I will bate you for stayin so long.
9
First she went to the Jew’s door,
But they were fast asleep;
An then she went to the deep draw-well,
That was fifty fadom deep.
10
She says, Sir Hugh, if you be here,
As I suppose you be,
If ever the dead or quick arose,
Arise and spake to me.
11
‘Yes, mother dear, I am here,
I know I have staid very long;
But a little penknife was stuck in my heart,
Till the stream ran down full strong.
12
‘And mother dear, when you go home,
Tell my playfellows all
That I lost my life by leaving them,
When playing that game of ball.
13
‘And ere another day is gone,
My winding-sheet prepare,
And bury me in the green churchyard,
Where the flowers are bloomin fair.
14
‘Lay my Bible at my head,
My Testament at my feet;
The earth and worms shall be my bed,
Till Christ and I shall meet.’