“Tell him to send me a slice of cake,
And a bottle of the best of wine;
And not to forget the fair young lady
That did release him when close confined.”
Away, away went this young proud porter,
Away, away, away went he;
Until he came unto Lord Bateman,
When on his bended knees fell he.
“What news, what news, my young porter;
What news, what news have you brought unto me?”
“Oh, there is the fairest of all young ladies
That ever my two eyes did see.
“She has got rings on every finger,
And on one of them she has got three;
And she has as much gold round her middle
As would buy Northumberland of thee.
“She tells you to send her a slice of cake,
And a bottle of the best of wine;
And not to forget the fair young lady
That did release you when close confined.”
Lord Bateman in a passion flew;
He broke his sword in splinters three;
“I’ll give all my father’s wealth and riches
Now, if Sophia has crossed the sea.”
Then up spoke his young bride’s mother—
Who never was heard to speak so free:
“Don’t you forget my only daughter,
Although Sophia has crossed the sea.”
“I own I’ve made a bride of your daughter
She’s none the better nor worse for me;
She came to me on a horse and saddle,
And she may go back in a carriage and three.”
Then another marriage was prepared,
With both their hearts so full of glee:
“I’ll range no more to foreign countries,
Since my Sophia has crossed the sea.”
King stopped, just as shyly as he had begun. Some laughed, others applauded him; and the Squire told us that the first time he had ever heard “Lord Bateman” was in Sconton’s show, on Worcester racecourse, many a year ago.