Miscellaneous Ballads of the Rorburghe Collection. AFTER "Rondeaux, Ballades, Chansons, dizains, propos menus, Compte moy qu'ils sont devenus: Se faict il plus rien de nouveau ? " -Clement Marot's Dialogue de deux Amoureux. FTER the long interruption caused by our bringing together the numerous portions of the foregoing "Group of Anti-Papal Ballads," we now return to the miscellaneous subjects, which in the original Collection are roughly arranged by the predominant initial letter of their titles, D. Many valuable and never-reprinted ballads claiming attention, we begrudge immediate space for some that are objectionable, and delay them until the more important Groups are secured. Part of two in the D. lot we postpone, but mark their places, first lines, and tunes (giving brief analyses later), so that students may not be puzzled at supposed lacuna. No one detests expurgated texts more than ourselves. Only for present advantage of the volume, we use our Editorial prerogative, in a few instances, by re-adjusting the position of some disparted but kindred ballads, bringing them into contact for mutual support. Advancing these from remote obscurity, we condemn others to temporary seclusion or penal settlement, if deserving to be pilloried or cart'stailed. Here are the only criminals brought up and sentenced as a Delayed Lot: Roxburghe Collection, II. 122, 123.-The Doting old Dad" There was a young Oh, Mother! Roger with his kisses almost stops my breath, I vow; What Roger means when he does so, For ne'r stir, I long to know, &c. These few being awhile relinquished, to the advantage of the neighbourhood, we substitute at once (pp. 341-349), the much-needed 'Doubting Virgin," and "The Doubting Virgin's Satisfaction." VOL. IV. Ꮓ —Old Ballad of O Waly, Waly! but Love is bonny. WE suppose the following ballad to belong to the early days of "William and Mary, Conquerors" (about 1690); when West-Country lads were in the ascendant for their Protestant fervour, but felt shy of entering into the matrimonial fetters. They liked better the licence of a camp-life, with the chances of plundering Jacobite property, sanctioned by what they called loyalty, but which we deem rebellion. Of the two tunes mentioned for our choice in singing the ballad, one is "Fond boy, what dost thou mean, thus my heart to surprize?" Both music and words are in the Pepysian Collection, V. 184: the title is, "The Two Happy Lovers; or, The Young Man and Maid's Constancy." We had occasion to mention it formerly, in The Bagford Ballads, pp. 219, 491. Of the other tune, "If Love's a sweet passion, why does it torment?" (cf. Roxburghe Ballads, iii. 623), the music was composed by Henry Purcell, certainly before 1695, the year of his death. A parody appeared about 1705, beginning, "If Wine be a Cordial, why does it torment?" It is in Pills to Purge Melancholy (vi. 82); a Collection of Diverting Songs, 316; and Philomel (1744), 169. The author of "The West-Country Counsellor "" (reprinted, by us, in Bagford Ballads, 493, from Bagford Coll., II. 145) was probably the writer of "Down-right Dick of the West" (soon to follow), and also of this present west-country ballad of "The Dorsetshire Damosel," which goes to the same tune as the Bagford ballad. They have the same easy lilt of verse, the same goodhumoured common-sense and playfulness, in their giving Advice Gratis. Alas! these pleasant advisers have gone out of fashion in our days of pert self-conceit and over-bearing dictatorship. We need a third accomplished D'Israeli to lead men back to the Amenities of Literature from such squabblers as Bolton Corney. There may have been no intended connection between this "Dorsetshire Damosel," Nanny, and a different Roxburghe Ballad entitled "Doubtful Robin; or, Constant Nanny," beginning "Dearest Nanny, prithee tell me," etc. It is totally distinct in metre, goes to a different tune, and the Nanny has to do with no Ralph or Roger, but only with a faithful Robin. But there was another "Dorsetshire Damosel" (Roxb. Coll., II. 338, "O mother, Roger, with his kisses "), which will soon be reprinted. [Roxburghe Collection, II. 110; Pepys Coll., III. 272.] The Dorsetshire Damosel; Poung Nancy at her last Praper. Containing her earnest request to Ralph, the Miller, to be satisfied whether he would have her or no: Concluding with his kind Answer. TO THE TUNE OF, Fond Boy, [what dost thou mean?] &c., Or, [If] Love's a sweet Passion, &c. [N Dorset-shire lived a young Miller by Trade,' an Maid, Full a Twelvemonth or more he had kept her in hand; She went to him at last, that she might understand What he meant by his fooling and serving her so: "Prithee tell me," quoth she, " if you'll have me, or no? "When first you came to me, How kind was you then! You would give me sweet Kisses a hundred and ten; Nay, and told me that you did my Beauty adore, Yet you have not been with me this two Months or more; Therefore pray now resolve me, before I do go, Whether you do intend for to have me, or no? 6 12 1 Not only this Dorsetshire Ralph, but millers throughout England seem to have been dangerous fellows, taking toll from every sack and every damosel that came in their way. D'Urfey in his Don Quixote tells what happened in a family when "The Old Wife she sent to the Miller her daughter," and the burden of the Lericompoop might draw tears out of a cart-wheel or a Poor Law Guardian: "albeit unused to the melting mood." "When ever I came with my Grist to your Mill, "I bought you a Cravat, to go to a Feast, "There's Roger would have me, and calls me his Dear; "You told me last Easter you'd make me your Bride, "You solemnly swore, when I sat on your knee, "Tis very well known I am just in my Prime, 18 24 30 36 42 48 Young Nancy at her last Prayer. The Young Man's Answer. Weet Nancy, my Promise I do not forget, But I am not resolv'd to be Marry'd as yet; 341 54 60 If I live but till then, thou shalt be my sweet Bride, For I love none in all the whole Nation beside." Printed for J. Deacon at the Angel in Guilt-spur-street. [Black-letter. Two woodcuts: the other is on p. 359. Date probably 1690.] The Doubting Virgin. "1.-The Woman who hesitates is lost." "2.-Marry in haste, and you'll repent at leisure." - Wisdom of Antiquity, good as New. IN the Roxburghe Collection the ballad which immediately follows "The Dorsetshire Damosel," with her somewhat tricky lover, is one entitled "The Dumb Lady," sung to the tune of "The Doubting Virgin;" or, as it is somewhat ambiguously and inaccurately described, "The Doubtful Virgin." (We feel shy in regard to "Doubtful Virgins," and might hesitate before introducing them, not knowing what may happen, but this lady is 0. K.) The song is often mentioned elsewhere (for example, in Bagford Ballads, pp. 336, 354), and it will be convenient to give it here, without delay. Its answer, "The Doubting Virgin's Satisfaction," is also reproduced; instead of having to await its proper position, in the Roxb. Coll., IV. 43. Another name of the same tune was Reprieved Captive," which may have been drawn from some ballad not yet recovered; unless it were identical with "The Redeemed Captive," beginning, "Surely now I'm out of danger." This ballad suits the requirements in metre, and has been reprinted by "The |