Volume Ii Part 47 (1/2)

Pray what is your intention, sir [repeat as above].

My intention is to marry, &c.

Which of us will you choose, sir, &c.

You're all too black and too browsy, &c.

We're good enough for you, sir, &c.

Through the kitchen and over the wall, Pick the fairest of us all.

The fairest is that I can see, pretty Miss --, come to me.

-East Kirkby, Lincolns.h.i.+re (Miss K. Maughan).

VII. Here come three dukes a-riding, A-riding, a-riding; Here come three dukes a-riding, With a dusty, dusty, die!

What do you want with us, sirs? [repeat as above].

We've come to choose a wife, Miss, &c.

Which one of us will you have, sirs? &c.

You're all too black and too browsy, You sit in the sun so drowsy; With a golden chain about your neck, You're all too black and too browsy.

Quite good enough for you, sirs, &c.

We walk in our chamber, We sit in our hall, We choose the fairest of you all; The fairest one that we can see Is little -- --, come to me.

-Wakefield, Yorks. (Miss Fowler).

VIII. Here come three dukes a-riding, a-riding, a-riding, Here come three dukes a-riding; A randy, dandy, very fine day!

And pray what is your will, sirs? &c. [as above].

We come for one of your daughters, &c.

Which one will you have, sir? &c.

They are all as black as a browsie, browsie, browsie, &c.

One can knit, and one can sew, One can make a lily-white bow; One can make a bed for a king, Please take one of my daughters in.

The fairest one that I can see Is [ ], come to me.

-Gainford, co. Durham (Miss A. Edleston).

IX. Here comes a poor duke a-riding, a-riding, Here comes a poor duke a-riding; With the ransom, tansom, tee!

Pray who will you have to marry, sir? &c.