THE BONNY SCOTCH LAD, AND HIS BONNET SO BLUE.

AT Kingston upon Hull, a town in Yorkshire,[140] I lived in splendour, and free from love's care; I roll'd in riches and had sweethearts not a few, I'm wounded by a bonny lad, and his bonnet so blue. There came a troop of soldiers, and soon you shall hear, From Scotland to Woolwich, abroad for to steer; There is one among them I wish I'd ne'er knew, He's a bonny Scotch lad, and his bonnet so blue. His cheeks are like the roses, his eyes like the sloes, He is handsome and proper, and kills where he goes, He is handsome and proper, and comely for to view, He's a bonny Scotch lad, and his bonnet so blue. When I go to my bed I can find no rest, The thoughts of my true love still runs in my breast; The thoughts of my true love still runs in my view, He's a bonny Scotch lad, and his bonnet so blue. Early in the morning, when I rose from my bed, I call'd upon Sally, that is my waiting maid, To dress me as fine as her two hands could do; I'll away and see the lad, and his bonnet so blue! She was instantly dress'd, and parade did attend, Where she stood impatient to hear her love nam'd; Charles Stuart they do call him, my love did renew, Once a prince of that name wore a bonnet so blue. My love he pass'd by me with his gun in his hand, I strove to speak to him, but all was in vain; I strove to speak to him, but away quite he flew, My heart it went with him, and his bonnet so blue. She says, "My dear laddie, I'll buy your discharge, I'll free you from the soldiers and set you at large; I'll free you from the soldiers, if your heart be true, And you'll ne'er wear a stain on that bonnet so blue." He says, "My dear lady, you'll buy my discharge, You'll free me from the soldiers and set me at large; For your kind offer I'm obliged to you, And I'll ne'er wear a stain on that bonnet so blue. "I have a dear lass in my own country, I'll ne'er forsake her for her poverty; To the girl that I love I will always prove true, And I'll ne'er wear a stain on that bonnet so blue." I'll send for a limner from London to Hull, To draw my love's picture out in the full, Set it in my chamber, keep it close in my view, And I'll think on the lad, for his heart it is true.