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THE MERCHANT'S DAUGHTER OF BRIS-TOW.
From Collier's Booh of Roxburghe Ballads, p. 104.
" This narrative ballad, which is full of graceful but unadorned simplicity, is mentioned in Fletcher's MonÂsieur Thomas, (Act iii. Sc. 3,) by the name of Maudlin the Merchant's Daughter. Two early editions of it are known: one without printer's name, (clearly much older than the other,) is that which we have used; we may conclude that it was written considerably before James I. came to the throne. It was last reprinted in 1738, but in that impression it was much modernized and corruPYEd."
Behold the touchstone of true love,
Maudlin the Merchant's Daughter of Bristow towne,
Whose firme affection nothing could move;
This favour beares the lovely browne.
A gallant youth was dwelling by, t
Which many yeares had borne this lady great good will; Shee loved him so faithfully, But all her friends withstood it still. |
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