—Hanbury, Staffordshire (Edith Hollis).

I.

Here’s a pretty little girl of mine,
She’s brought me many a bottle of wine;
A bottle of wine she gave me too—
See what this little girl can do.

On the carpet she shall kneel
As the grass grows on the fiel’;
Stand upright on your feet,
And choose the one you love so sweet.

Now you are married I wish you joy,
First a girl and then a boy;
Seven years after, son and daughter;
Pray, young couple, kiss together.

—Symondsbury, Dorset (Folk-lore Journal, vii. 207).

II.

Oh, this pretty little girl of mine,
Brought me many a bottle of wine;
A bottle of wine and a guinea, too,
See what my little girl can do.

Down on the carpet she shall kneel,
As the grass grows in the field;
Stand upright on your feet,
And choose the one you love so sweet.

Now I’m married and wish you joy,
First a girl and then a boy;
Seven years after, seven years past,
Kiss one another and go to your class.