A Book of Dartmoor — Chapter 16

"As I trudged on at ten at nightMy way to fair York city,I saw before a lantern lightBorne by a damsel pretty.I her accos't, 'My way I've lost,Your lantern let me carry!Then through the land, both hand in hand,We'll travel. Prithee tarry.'20, 18, 1 6, 14, 12, 10, 8,6,4,2,19, 17, 15, 13, 11,9,7,5,3, 1.

"She tripp'd along, so nimble she,The lantern still a-swinging,And 'Follow, follow, follow me!'Continually was singing.'Thy footsteps stay!' She answered, 'Nay!''Your name? You take my fancy.'She laughing said, nor turn'd her head,'I'm only Northern Nancy.'20, 18, 16, etc.

"She sped along, I in the lurch,A lost and panting stranger,Till, lo! I found me at the Church,She'd led me out of danger.'Ring up the clerk,' she said; 'yet hark!Methinks here comes the pass'n;He'll make us one, then thou art done;He'll thee securely fasten.'20, 18, 16, etc.

"' Man is a lost and vagrant clownThat should at once be pounded,'She said, and laid the matter downWith arguments well grounded.For years a score, and even more,I've lain in wedlock's fetter,Faith! she was right; here, tied up tight,I could not have fared better20, 18, 10, etc."

"The cuckoo is a pretty bird,She sings as she flies;She bringeth good tidings,She telleth no lies.She sucketh sweet flowersTo keep her voice clear,And when she sings 'Cuckoo'The summer draweth near."

"Kill a robin or a wren,Never prosper, boy or man."