122 DORSET CHILDREN'S DOGGEREL RHYMES. 



III. Took my watch and broke my chain (repeat thrice}. 

 Took my watch and broke my chain, my fair lady. 



IV. Half -a -sovereign they must pay (repeat thrice). 

 Half-a-sovereign they must pay, my fair lady. 



V. Half-a-sovereign they've not got (repeat thrice). 

 Half-a-sovereign they've not got, my fair lady. 



VI. Off to prison they must go (repeat thrice). 

 Off to prison they must go, my fair lady. 



A longer version exists in which the robbers are accused of 

 stealing "a new silk dress " as well as the watch and chain. 

 They protest that they have none of the things, whereupon 

 " fifty pounds " is named as damages. * But the longer 

 version is a more definite dialogue between the robbers and 

 the " fair lady." 



HERE'S A PRETTY LITTLE GIRL OF MINE. 



I. Here's a pretty little girl of mine, 



She brought me many a glass of wine, 

 A glass of wine and a biscuit too, 

 See what my little girl can do. 



II. On the carpet she shall kneel, 

 As the grass grows in the field, 

 Stand up right upon your feet, 

 And choose the one you love so sweet. 



III. Choose to the east, and choose to the west, 

 Choose the gold and silver, 

 Write it down with a golden pen, 

 And tell me who's your lover. 



Variant readings : " A bottle of wine." " Choose the white 

 and choose the black ; " Choose to the right and choose to the 

 left." " Write your name in a penny gold ring." 



