"What wish leav'st thou thy brother,
Little daughter dear?"
"A fleet ship on the waters,
Sweet step-mother mine."
For ah, ah!—I am so ill—ah!30
"What wish leav'st thou thy sister,
Little daughter dear?"
"Golden chests and caskets,
Sweet step-mother mine."
For ah, ah!—I am so ill—ah!35
"What wish leav'st thou thy step-mother,
Little daughter dear?"
"Of hell the bitter sorrow
Sweet step-mother mine."
For ah, ah!—I am so ill—ah!40
"What wish leav'st thou thy old nurse,
Little daughter dear?"
"For her I wish the same pangs,
Sweet step-mother mine.
For ah, ah!—I am so ill—ah!45
"But now the time is over
When I with you can stay;
The little bells of heaven
Are ringing me away."
For ah, ah!—I am so ill—ah!50
THE THREE KNIGHTS. See p. [251].
From the second edition of Gilbert's Ancient Christmas Carols, &c. p. 68.
There did three Knights come from the West,
With the high and the lily oh!
And these three Knights courted one Lady,
As the rose was so sweetly blown.