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Lord Bateman was a noble Lord, A noble Lord of high degree; He put himself all on a ship, Some foreign countries he would go see. He sailèd east and he sailèd west, Until he came to fair Turkey, Where he was taken and put in prison, Until his life was quite weary. And in this prison there grew a tree, It grew so stout and it grew so strong, Where he was chained by the middle, Until his life was almost gone. The Turk he had an only daughter, The fairest creature ever my eyes did see; She stole the keys of her father's prison, And swore Lord Bateman she would set free! "Have you got houses, have you got lands? Or does Northumberland belong to thee? What would you give to the fair young lady, That out of prison would set you free?" "I have got houses, I have got lands, And half Northumberland belongs to me; I'll give it all to the fair young lady, That out of prison would set me free." Oh, then she took him to her father's palace, And gave to him the best of wine, And every health she drank unto him— "I wish, Lord Bateman, that you were mine." "Now, for seven long years, I'll make a vow, For seven long years, and keep it strong, If you will wed no other woman, That I will wed no other man." Oh, then she took him to her father's harbour, And gave to him a ship of fame; "Farewell, farewell, my dear Lord Bateman, I'm afraid I shall never see you again." Now, seven long years were gone and past, And fourteen long days well known to me She packed up her gay clothing, And Lord Bateman she would go see. And then she came to Lord Bateman's castle, So boldly now she rang the bell; "Who's there?" cries the young porter, "Who's there—now come unto me tell?" "Oh, is this Lord Bateman's castle, And is his Lordship here within;" "O yes, O yes," cries the proud young porter, He's just taking his young bride in." "Oh, then tell him to send me a slice of bread, And a bottle of the best wine; And not forgetting the fair young lady, That did release him when close confined." Away, away, went that proud young porter, Away, away, and away went he, Until he came to Lord Bateman's door, Down on is bended Knees fell he. "What news, what news, my young porter, What news have you brought unto me?" "There is the fairest of all young ladies, That ever my two eyes did see. "She has got rings on every finger, And round one of them she has got three; And such gay gold hanging round her middle, That would buy Northumberland for thee. "She tells you to send her a slice of bread, And a bottle of the best wine; And not forgetting the fair young lady, That did release you when close confined." Lord Bateman then in a passion flew, And broke his sword in splinters three, Saying, "I will give all my father's riches, If that Sophia has crossed the sea." Then up spoke this bride's young mother, Who never was heard to speak so free— "You'll not forget my only daughter, If Sophia has crossed the sea." "I own I made a bride of your daughter, She's neither the better nor worse for me; She came to me with a horse and saddle, She may go home in a coach and three." Lord Bateman prepared another marriage, With both their hearts so full of glee; "I'll range no more in foreign countries, Now since Sophia has cross'd the sea." |