[Andrew sits down despondently and prepares to listen.
Annet. Now hark you to this, Andrew, and turn it well over in your mind. [She begins to sing:
Say can you plough me an acre of land
Sing Ivy leaf, Sweet William and Thyme.
Between the sea and the salt sea strand
And you shall be a true lover of mine?
[A slight pause. Annet looks questioningly at Andrew, who turns away with a heavy sigh.
Annet. [Singing.]
Yes, if you plough it with one ram’s horn
Sing Ivy Leaf, Sweet William and Thyme
And sow it all over with one peppercorn
And you shall be a true lover of mine.
Andrew. ’Tis all foolishness.
Annet. [Singing.]
Say can you reap with a sickle of leather
Sing Ivy Leaf, Sweet William and Thyme
And tie it all up with a Tom-tit’s feather
And you shall be a true lover of mine.
Andrew. [Rises up impatiently.] I can stand no more. You’ve danced upon my heart till ’tis fairly brittle, and ready to be broke by a feather.