OLD DORSET SONGS. 41 



When she zaw 'en a-coomen along th' road 



Her heart wur for yoother's quite glad ; 



She called 'en her bwoy, her darlen, her jwoy. 



Why, Roben, how quickly thou'rt wed, thou art. 



A'a thou art, that thou art. 



Why, Roben, how quickly thou'rt wed, thou art. 



Now, mother, I tell 'ee 'tis noo zuch a thing, 



I wur never zoe sheamed in my life ; 



I have spoiled my best clothes and my fine yaller hose, 



An' I'll never goo zeek me a wife, I wunt. 



Nay, I wunt, that I wunt. 



I'll never goo zeek me a wife, I wunt. 



This song was probably written about the time of the 

 foundation of the Blue Coat School (1552), when the "yaller 

 hose " worn by the boys was in full fashion. 



ANOTHER COURTING SONG. 



He. I will give you a silken gownd, 



Nine yards long, to trail on the ground, 

 If you'll be my love and my only dear, 

 And go walking with me anywhere. 



She. I'll not accept of a silken gownd, 



Nine yards long, to trail on the ground ; 

 I'll not be your love and your only dear, 

 And go walking with you anywhere. 



He. I'll give you the keys of the little chest 

 And all within that is now possesst, 

 If you'll be my love and my only dear, 

 And go walking with me anywhere. 



