A Pleasant New Ballad Entitled "LOVE'S STRATAGEM"

Ladies' Mirror, Volume V, Issue 6, 1 December 1926, Page 34

A Pleasant New Ballad Entitled "LOVE'S STRATAGEM"

ow, listen well, good People all. And hear of what befell A Maiden and a pretty Youth Who lov'd each other Well The Father of this pretty Maid, When he became aware Of what Was happening, resolv'd To separate the Pair. And having other Ends in view Preparing for the Maid, Unto his Sister's House in York Would have her now convey'd. The Aunt, a stern and ancient Dame, A shelter would provide. And to her rigid Discipline His Daughter he'd confide. Behold him, therefore, setting out Upon his sorrel Mare, His Daughter on the Pillion Seat Behind him in Despair.

Now turn We back to where the Youth, Absorbed at first in Woe Resolves at length to follow them To see where they may go. So all that day he followed close While keeping out of sight. And marked the Inn where they drew rein To shelter for the night. They had not gone above a Mile Upon the Morrow's way When, bursting thro ' the quickset Hedge, A Figure bid them stay. “Your Money or your Life!" he cries With many a Footpad's Curse, And he's fetched the Father from his Horse And robbed him of his Purse. He's fetched the Father from his Horse With a Pistol at his Head And he's tripped him up into the Ditch While he rides off instead.