Classic Poem

One night as Polly Oliver was lying in her bed,
A project very wondrous came into her head.
She'd go through the country disguisèd to rove
And so she would seek for her own dearest love.

So early next morning the fair maid arose.
She dressed herself up in a man's suit of clothes,
Coat, waistcoat and breeches and a sword by her side,
And her father's black gelding fair Polly would ride.

She rode till she came to a place of renown
And there she put up at the sign of the Crown.
She sat herself down with brown ale at the board
And the first that came in was an outlandish lord.

The next that came in was fair Polly's true love.
She looked in his face and resolved him to prove.
Oh he was a captain, a captain so fine,
He sat at the board and he called for red wine.

‘A letter, a letter that's come from a friend
Or else 'tis a letter your true love did send,
And under the seal will a guinea be found
For you and your soldiers to drink ale around.’

‘Then what are your tidings, my little foot-page?
For you are a boy of the tenderest age
With locks that are curling and smooth is your chin,
A voice as a flute warbles softly and thin.’

‘I am not a foot-page, a gelding I ride,
And I am a squire with a sword by my side.
The letter was given me, riding this way,
But who 'twas that gave it I never can say.’

The maid being drowsy, she hung down her head,
She called for a candle to light her to bed.
‘My house it is full,’ the landlady swore,
‘My beds are engaged, let him lie on the floor.’

The captain he answered, ‘I've a bed at my ease
And you may lie with me, young boy, if you please.’
‘I thank you, sir captain,’ fair Polly she said,
‘I'll lie by the fire, on the saddle my head.

‘To lie with a captain's a dangerous thing.
I'm a new-listed soldier to fight for the king.
Before the lark whistles I must ride away
And miles must make many before break of day.’

Then early next morning this fair maid arose
And dressed herself up in her own woman's clothes.
Down over the stair she so nimbly did run,
As he had proved constant to his loved one.

So now she is married and lives at her ease,
She goes where she wills and comes where she please.
She has left her old parents behind her to mourn,
And give hundreds of thousands for their daughter's return.