Cold and raw the north did blow,

Bleak in the morning early;

All the trees were hid in snow,

Dangl'd by winter yearly:

When come riding over a knough,

I met with a farmer's daughter;

Rosie cheeks and bonny brow.

Good faith made my mouth to water.

If twenty pound could buy the globe,

quote she, this I'd not do, sir;

Or were my kin as poor as Job,

I wo'd not raise 'em so, Sir:

For should I be to night your friend,

We'st get a young kid together;

And you'd be gone ere the nine months end,

And where should I find a Father?

Down I vail'd my Bonnet low,

Meaning to shew my breeding;

She retun'd a graceful bow,

A visage far exceeding:

I ask'd her where she went so soon,

And long'd to begin a parly;

She told me unto the next market town,

A purpose to sell her Barly.

I told her I had wedded been,

Fourteen years and longer;

Or else I'd choose her for my Queen,

And tie the Knot much stronger;

She bid me then no farther rome,

But manage my wedlock fairly;

and keep purse for poor spouse at home,

for some other shall have her barly.

In this purse, sweet soul, said I,

Twenty pounds lie fairly;

Seek no farther one to buy,

For I'll take all thy Barly;

Twenty more shall buy delight,

Thy person I love so dearly;

If thou wouldst stay with me all night,

And go home in the morning early.