The Story is much the same as Lord Thomas and Fair Annet, except in the manner of Margaret’s death.
None of the known copies of the ballad are as early in date as The Knight of the Burning Pestle (a play by Beaumont and Fletcher, first produced, it is said, in 1611), in which the humorous old Merrythought sings two fragments of this ballad; stanza 5 in Act II. Sc. 8, and the first two lines of stanza 2 in Act III. Sc. 5. As there given, the lines are slightly different.
The last four stanzas of this ballad again present the stock ending, for which see the introduction to Lord Lovel. The last stanza condemns itself.
FAIR MARGARET AND SWEET WILLIAM
1.
As it fell out on a long summer’s day,
Two lovers they sat on a hill;
They sat together that long summer’s day,
And could not talk their fill.
2.