Classic Poem

1.

In Cumberland city, as you shall all hear,
There lived a young damsel both comely and fair,
Her name was Diana, scarce fifteen years old,
And she had to her position (portion?) a large sum of gold.

2.

Besides an estate, when her father did die,
Which caused many a young man to court the lady;
Among the whole number sweet Jimmy was one,
Who strove for to make this fair damsel his own.

3.

Hand in hand together they used for to walk,
To hear the small birds sing, and sweetly they'd talk;
He said, " My Diana, sweet, innocent maid,
My lovely Diana, my heart you've betrayed. "

4.

In two or three weeks after, her father did say,
" Go dress yourself up in your best rich array,
For I've a knight for you worth thousands a year,
And he says he will make you his joy and his dear. "

5.

" To wed with any young man I don't feel inclined,
To wed with any old man I won't be confined.
Besides, I'm too young, and I pray you, therefore,
To let me live single one year or two more. "

6.

" O stubborn daughter! Oh, what do you mean?
Go dress yourself up, no more fit to be seen. "
In this wretched condition this maid was forced out,
And she went a-roving the groves all about.

7.

She went to yonder bower where the small birds sing sweet,
Where she and her Jimmy they used for to meet;
She sat herself down by the side of a tree,
And a strong dose of poison ended her misery.

8.

She had not been there one half-hour, I'm sure,
Till Jimmy came roving the groves o'er and o'er;
He espied his Diana, a note laying by,
And in it she told him " 'Tis for you I die. "

9.

He kissed her cold clay lips ten thousand times o'er;
" I'm robbed of my jewel; I'm robbed of my store. "
He fell on his sword like a lover so brave;
Now Jimmy and Diana both lie in one grave.