Songs from Vagabondia/The King's Son
THE KING’S SON.
“Daughter, daughter, marry no man,Though a king’s son come to woo,If he be not more than blessing or banTo the secret soul of you.”
“’T is the King’s son, indeed, I ween,And he left me even but now,And he shall make me a dazzling queen,With a gold crown on my brow.”
“And are you one that a golden crown, Or the lust of a name can lure?You had better wed with a country clown,And keep your young heart pure.”
“Mother, the King has sworn, and saidThat his son shall wed but me;And I must gang to the prince’s bed,Or a traitor I shall be.”
“Oh, what care you for an old man’s wrath?Or what care you for a king?I had rather you fled on an outlaw’s path,A rebel, a hunted thing.”
“Mother, it is my father’s will,For the King has promised him fairA goodly earldom of hollow and hill,And a coronet to wear.”
“Then woe is worth a father’s name,For it names your dourest foe!I had rather you came the child of shameThan to have you fathered so.”
“Mother, I shall have gold enow,Though love be never mine,To buy all else that the world can showOf good and fair and fine.”
“Oh, what care you for a prince’s gold,Or the key of a kingdom’s till?I had rather see you a harlot boldThat sins of her own free will.
“For I have been wife for the stomach’s sake, And I know whereof I say;A harlot is sold for a passing slake,But a wife is sold for aye.
“Body and soul for a lifetime sell,And the price of the sale shall beThat you shall be harlot and slave as wellUntil Death set you free.”