All in a Misty Morning
One misty, moisty morning, when cloudy was the weather,
I met with an old man, clothed all in leather,
With ne'er a shirt upon his back, but wool unto his skin,
With how d'ye do, and how d'ye do, and how d'ye do, again.
This rustic was a thresher, and on his way he hied,
And with a leather bottle, fast buckled by his side;
And with a cap of woolen, which covered cheek and chin.
With how d'ye do, and how d'ye do, and how d'ye do, again.
I went a little further, and there I met a maid,
Was going then a-milking, a-milking, sir, she said;
Then I began to compliment, and she began to sing;
With how d'ye do, and how d'ye do, and how d'ye do, again.
This maid her name was Mary, clothed in a gown of gray,
I, being somewhat jolly, persuaded her to stay;
Then straight I fell to courting her, in hopes her love to win
With how d'ye do, and how d'ye do, and how d'ye do, again.
I told her I would married be, and she would be my bride,
And long we should not tarry, with twenty things beside;
"I'll plow and sow, and reap and mow, whilst thou shalt sit
and spin."
With how d'ye do, and how d'ye do, and how d'ye do, again.
"Kind sir, I have a mother, besides a father still,
and so before all other, you must ask their good will;
for if I be undutiful, to them it is a sin."
With how d'ye do, and how d'ye do, and how d'ye do, again.
Now, then we left the milking pail and to her mother went
And when we had come thither, I asked her consent,
I doff'd my hat, and made a leg, when I found her within;
With how d'ye do, and how d'ye do, and how d'ye do, again.
Her dad came home full weary, (alas, he could not chose;)
Her mother being merry, she told him all the news,
Then he was mighty jovial; too, his son did soon begin,
With how d'ye do, and how d'ye do, and how d'ye do, again.
The parents being willing, all parties were agreed,
Her portion thirty shilling, we married were with speed,
Then Liam the piper, he did play, whilst others dance and sing
With how d'ye do, and how d'ye do, and how d'ye do, again.
|
