THE WANDERING YOUNG GENTLEWOMAN;
OR, CATSKIN.
[The following version of this ancient English ballad has been collated with three copies. In some editions it is called Catskin’s Garland; or, the Wandering Young Gentlewoman. The story has a close similarity to that of Cinderella, and is supposed to be of oriental origin. Several versions of it are current in Scandinavia, Germany, Italy, Poland, and Wales. For some account of it see Pictorial Book of Ballads, ii. 153, edited by Mr. J. S. Moore.]
PART I.
You fathers and mothers, and children also,
Draw near unto me, and soon you shall know
The sense of my ditty, and I dare to say,
The like’s not been heard of this many a day.
The subject which to you I am to relate,
It is of a young squire of vast estate;
The first dear infant his wife did him bear,
It was a young daughter of beauty most rare.
He said to his wife, ‘Had this child been a boy,
‘Twould have pleased me better, and increased my joy,
If the next be the same sort, I declare,
Of what I’m possessèd it shall have no share.’
In twelve months’ time after, this woman, we hear,
Had another daughter of beauty most clear;
And when that he knew it was but a female,
Into a bitter passion he presently fell,
Saying, ‘Since this is of the same sort as the first,
In my habitation she shall not be nursed;
Pray let her be sent into the countrie,
For where I am, truly, this child shall not be.’
With tears his dear wife unto him did say,
‘Husband, be contented, I’ll send her away.’
Then to the countrie with speed her did send,
For to be brought up by one was her friend.