The Merchant's Daughter of
Bristow [Bristol].
[Ancient Ballads, etc.
in the Library of
Henry Huth, 1867.]
The First Part.
BEhold the Touchstone of True Love! Maudlin, the Merchant's daughter of Bristow town, Whose firm affection nothing could move Such favour bears the Lovely Brown.
A gallant Youth was dwelling by. Which many years had borne this Maiden great goodwill. She lovèd him as faithfully: But all her friends withstood it still.
The young man now, perceiving well He could not get nor win the favour of her friends; The force of sorrows to expell, To view strange countries he intends.
And now to take his last Farewell Of his True Love, his fair and constant Maudlin; With music sweet, that did excell, He plays under her window fine.
"Farewell," quoth he, "my own True Love! Farewell, my dear; and chiefest treasure of my heart! Through Fortune's spite, that false did prove, I am inforced from thee to part.
"Into the land of Italy: There will I waste and weary out my days in woe. Seeing my True Love is kept from me, I hold my life a mortal foe."
"Fair Bristow town, therefore adieu! For Padua must be my habitation now: Although my Love doth lodge in thee, To whom alone my heart I vow."
With trickling tears thus did he sing, With sighs and sobs descending from his heart full sore. He saith, when he his hands did wring, "Farewell, sweet Love, for evermore!"
Fair Maudlin, from a window high,Beholds her True Love with his music where he stood; But not a word she durst reply, Fearing her parents' angry mood.
In tears she spends the doleful night, Wishing herself (though naked) with her faithful friend: She blames her friends, and Fortune's spite; That wrought their loves such luckless end.
And in her heart she makes a vow Clean to forsake her country and her kinsfolk all; And for to follow her True Love now, To bide all chances that might fall.
The night is gone, and the day is come; And in the morning very early doth she arise. She gets her down to the lower room, Where sundry seamen she espies.
A gallant Master among them all: The Master of a fair and goodly ship was he; Which there stood waiting in the hall, To speak with her father, if it might be.
She kindly takes him by the hand; "Good Sir," she said, "and would you speak with any here?" Quoth he, "Fair Maid, therefore I stand." "Then, gentle Sir, I pray you come near."
Into a pleasant parlour by, With hand in hand she brings this seaman all alone; Sighing to him most piteously, She thus to him did make her moan:
She falls upon her tender knee, "Good Sir," she said, "now pity you a Maiden's woe! And prove a faithful friend to me, That I to you my grief may show."
"Sith you repose such trust," he said, "To me that am unknown, and eke a stranger here; Be you assured, proper Maid, Most faithful still I will appear!"
"I have a brother, Sir," quoth she, "Whom, as my life, I love and favour tenderly. In Padua, alas, is he Full sick, GOD wot; and like to die.
"And fain I would my brother see; But that my father will not yield to let me go. Wherefore, good Sir, be good to me, And unto me this favour show.
"Some shipboy's garments bring to me, That I disguised may get away from hence unknown: And unto sea I'll go with thee, If thus much friendship may be shown."
"Fair Maid," quoth he, "take here my hand! I will fulfil each thing that now you desire, And set you safe in that same land; And in the place where you require."
Then gives she him a tender kiss; And saith, "Your servant, gallant Master, I will be! And prove your faithful friend, for this. Sweet Master, then forget not me!"
This done, as they had both decreed, Soon after, early, even before the break of day, He brings her garments then with speed; Wherein she doth herself array.
And ere her father did arise, She meets her Master as he walkèd in the Hall; She did attend on him likewise, Even till her father did him call.
But ere the Merchant made an end Of all those matters to the Master he could say; His wife came weeping in with speed Saying, "Our daughter is gone away!"
The Merchant, much amazed in mind, "Yonder vile wretch enticed away my child," quoth he, "But well I wot, I shall him find At Padua in Italy."
With that bespake the Master brave, "Worshipful Merchant, thither goes this pretty Youth! And anything that you would have, He will perform it, and write the truth."
"Sweet Youth," quoth he, "if it be so, Bear me a letter to the English Merchants there; And gold on thee I will bestow. My daughter's welfare I do fear!"
Her mother takes her by the hand, "Fair Youth," quoth she, "if there thou dost my daughter see, Let me thereof soon understand: And there are twenty crowns for thee!"
Thus, through the daughter's strange disguise, The mother knew not when she spake unto her child. And after her Master straight she hies, Taking her leave with countenance mild.
Thus to the sea fair Maudlin is gone, With her gentle Master. GOD send them a merry wind! Where we awhile must leave them alone, Till you the Second Part do find.
FINIS.