The Wooing

A youth went faring up and down,     Alack and well-a-day.     He fared him to the market town,     Alack and well-a-day.     And there he met a maiden fair,     With hazel eyes and auburn hair;     His heart went from him then and there,     Alack and well-a-day.     She posies sold right merrily,     Alack and well-a-day;     But not a flower was fair as she,     Alack and well-a-day.     He bought a rose and sighed a sigh,     "Ah, dearest maiden, would that I     Might dare the seller too to buy!"     Alack and well-a-day.     She tossed her head, the coy coquette,     Alack and well-a-day.     "I'm not, sir, in the market yet,"     Alack and well-a-day.     "Your love must cool upon a shelf;     Tho' much I sell for gold and pelf,     I 'm yet too young to sell myself,"     Alack and well-a-day.     The youth was filled with sorrow sore,     Alack and well-a-day.     And looked he at the maid once more,     Alack and well-a-day.     Then loud he cried, "Fair maiden, if     Too young to sell, now as I live,     You're not too young yourself to give,"     Alack and well-a-day.     The little maid cast down her eyes,     Alack and well-a-day.     And many a flush began to rise,     Alack and well-a-day.     "Why, since you are so bold," she said,     "I doubt not you are highly bred,     So take me!" and the twain were wed,     Alack and well-a-day.