Classic Poem

The King of the Spaniards' daughter
For learning a trade would be;
Willing she was to learn sewing—
Both washing and sewing—was she.

When at the very first garment
A-washing away was she,
The ring from her lily-white finger
Fell off and was lost in the sea.

Now she was a simple maiden,
And so to weeping fell she;
When, lo! that very way passing,
A knight just happened to be.

“Now if I the ring recover,
What will the beauty give me?”
“A kiss on my lips so pretty
I could not refuse,” said she.

The knight threw off his mantle
And plunged into the sea;
But when he dived the first time
He nothing found, did he!

And when he dived the second time
He saw it shine in the sea:
And when he dived the third time
The knight was drowned, was he!

Oh she was a simple maiden,
And she cried again, d'ye see!
Then off went she to her father—
“Want no more trade!” said she.