BALLAD OF LOW-LIE-DOWN

John-A-Dreams and Harum-Scarum

Came a-riding into town:

At the Sign o’ the Jug-and-Jorum

There they met with Low-lie-down.

Brave in shoes of Romany leather,

Bodice blue and gypsy gown,

And a cap of fur and feather,

In the inn sat Low-lie-down.

Harum-Scarum kissed her lightly;

Smiled into her eyes of brown:

Clasped her waist and held her tightly,

Laughing, “Love me, Low-lie-down!”

Then with many an oath and swagger,

As a man of great renown,

On the board he clapped his dagger,

Called for sack and sat him down.

So a while they laughed together;

Then he rose and with a frown

Sighed, “While still‘ tis pleasant weather,

I must leave thee, Low-lie-down.”

So away rode Harum-Scarum;

With a song rode out of town;

At the Sign o’ the Jug-and-Jorum

Weeping tarried Low-lie-down.

Then this John-a-dreams, in tatters,

In his pocket ne'er a crown,

Touched her, saying, “Wench, what matters!

Dry your eyes and, come, sit down.

“Here's my hand: we'll roam together,

Far away from thorp and town.

Here's my heart,— for any weather,—

And my dreams, too, Low-lie-down.

“Some men call me dreamer, poet:

Some men call me fool and clown —

What I am but you shall know it,

Only you, sweet Low-lie-down.”

For a little while she pondered:

Smiled: then said, “Let care go drown!”

Up and kissed him.... Forth they wandered,

John-a-dreams and Low-lie-down.