Читать книгу Signelil, A Tale from the Cornish, and Other Ballads - Borrow George - Страница 2

   In Lavan’s parish once of yore,

Dwelt on the spot called Tshei an Hor,

A loving couple, man and wife,

But poverty distressed their life.

And thus the man his wife address’d:

“I’ll wander forth of work in quest;

And you, my dearest, you can earn

Your living here till I return.”

   His home he leaves, and, far from gay,

Towards the East he took his way.

At length a farmer’s dwelling reaching,

He enter’d it, for work beseeching.

“What work canst do?” the farmer cried;

“All kinds of work, Sir,” John replied.

Then straight they for a year agree,

Three pounds the wages were to be.

And when the year to end had come

The master paid him down the sum.

“John,” said his master, “here’s your fee;

But if you’ll it return to me,

A point of wisdom I will teach you.”

Said John: “Give it me, I beseech you.”

“No, no, to give is not my way.”

“Take it,” said John, “and say your say.”

Quoth t’other: “This in memory hold:

Ne’er for the new road leave the old.”

They for another year agree,

The wages just the same to be;

And when the year its end had reached,

The farmer forth the three pounds fetched.

“John,” said his master, “here’s your fee,

But if you’ll it return to me,

A point of wisdom I will teach you.”

“Give it me, Sir, I do beseech you.”

“For nought I will not speak, not I.”

“Well, take it then,” was John’s reply.

Quoth t’other: “Lodge not, for your life,

With an old man who’s a young wife.”

For yet a year they then agree,

The wages still the same to be.

And when the year to end had roll’d,

The three pounds out the master told.

“John,” said the master, “here’s your fee;

But if you’ll it return to me,

I’ll the best point of wisdom learn you.”

“For that, Sir, I’ll the wage return you.”

The farmer said: “Take this advice,

Ere striking once, bethink thee twice.”

Now John would serve no longer there,

Home to his wife he would repair.

“Go not to-day,” the farmer spake,