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Ring Superstitions: I'll

The children came faster than silver or gold, For his wife conceiv'd again, we are told, And when the time came in labour she fell; But if you would mind an odd story I'll tell :

A noble rich Knight by chance did ride by, And hearing this woman did shriek and cry, He being well learned in the planets and signs, Did look in the book which puzzled his mind.

The more he did look the more he did read, And found that the fate of the child had decreed, Who was born in that house the same tide, He found it was she who must be his bride; But judge how the Knight was disturb'd in mind, When he in that book his fortune did find.

He quickly rode home and was sorely oppressed, From that sad moment he could take no rest; At night he did toss and tumble in his bed And very strange projects came into his head, Then he resolv'd and soon try'd indeed, To alter the fortune he found was decreed.

With a vexing heart next morning he rose, And to the house of the farmer he goes, And asked the man with a heart full of spite, If the child was alive that was born last night?

APPENDIX. 'Worthy sir,' said the farmer, 'although I am poor, I had one born last night, and six born before; Four sons and three daughters I now have alive, They are in good health and likely to thrive.' The Knight he reply'd, 'If that seven you have, Let me have the youngest, I'll keep it most brave, For you very well one daughter may spare, And when I die I'll make her my heir; For I am a Knight of noble degree, And if you will part with your child unto me Full three thousand pounds I'll unto thee give When I from your hands your daughter receive.

The father and mother with tears in their eyes, Did hear this kind offer and were in surprize; And seeing the Knight was so noble and gay, Presented the infant unto him that day.

But they spoke to him with words most mild, 'We beseech thee, good sir, be kind to our child.' 'You need not mind,' the Knight he did say, 'I will maintain her both gallant and gay.' So with this sweet babe away he did ride, Until he came to a broad river's side.

Being cruelly bent he resolv'd indeed To drown the young infant that day with speed, Saying, 'If you live you must be my wife, So I am resolved to bereave you of life; For till you are dead I no comfort can have, Wherefore you shall lie in a watery grave.' In saying of this, that moment, they say, He flung the babe into the river straightway; And being well pleased when this he had done, He leaped on his horse, and straight he rode home.

But mind how kind fortune for her did provide, She was drove right on her back by the tide, Where a man was a fishing, as fortune would have, When she was floating along with the wave.

He took her up, but was in amaze; He kissed her and on her did gaze, And he having ne'er a child in his life, He straightway did carry her home to his wife.