Classic Poem

1.

A shepherd's daughter watching sheep
Knight William riding by;
" O what will I give that pretty fair maid,
One night with me to lie! "
Ri fol diddle O day.

2.

He took her by the slender waist,
And laid her on the green;
He took her by the lily-white hand,
And lifted her up again.

3.

He mounted on his milk-white steed,
And swiftly he did ride;
She, being young and nimble foot,
She followed him side by side.

4.

And when she came to the King's castle,
She knocked so loud did ring;
O who was so ready as the King himself,
To rise and let her in.

5.

" What news, what news, my pretty fair maid,
What news have you brought to me?
Has any of my goods been stole this night,
Or any of my castles won? "
" But I've been robbed of my body,
Which grieves me worse than all. "

6.

" If he be a married man,
Hanged he shall be;
But if he be a single man,
His body I'll give to thee. "

7.

The King called up his merry men all,
By one, by two, by three;
Knight William used to be the first —
The last of all came he.

8.

Knight William brought five hundred pounds,
And laid it on the aisle;
Says he, " Take this, you wanton girl,
And go maintain your child! "

9.

" I don't want your gold, " she said,
" Nor I don't want your fee;
But I will have your fair body,
Which the King has given to me! "

10.

After the wedding it was o'er,
And all was through and done;
She proved to be the King's daughter,
And he but a blacksmith's son.