The Fair Maid Of Islington
One of the many ballads to this tune, an
amusing but unlikely story where a tart gets a
court judgement in her favour! Text: Bagford
Ballads, collected by John Bagford (1650-
1716). Tune:
Sellinger's Round, a popular
16th century tune found in many sources
including
The Dancing Master, published by
John Playford 1652, 2nd edition.
This is a pretty maid's fancy if you mind,
He sought to fool her since she was so kind,
But she was crafty and resolved to fit him
And in the end it proved she did outwit him.
She for her cellar made him pay her rent
As by a wile which made him to repent.
There was a fair maid of Islington
As I heard many tell
And she would to fair London go
Fine apples and pears to sell
And as she pass'd along the street
With her basket on her arm
There she did with a vintner meet
This fair maid thought no harm.
"Good morrow fair maid" the vintner said
"What have you got there to sell?"
"Fine apples and pears, kind sir" she said,
"If you please to taste them well."
He tasted of this fair maid's fruit
And liked it wonderous well,
And then he craved of this fair maid
How many a penny she'd sell.
"Sir, here you shall have six" she said
"And here you shall have ten
I sold no more but just before
To some Inns-of-Court gentlemen.
"Now while he by this damsel staid
Her body he did eye,
At length he craved of this fair maid
One night with him to lie.
"Sir, if you would lie with me one night
As you proposed to me,
I do expect that you should prove
Both courteuns kind and free
And for to tell you all in short,
It will cost you five pounds."
"A match, a match!" the vintner said,
"And no let this go round."
When he had lain with her all night
Her money she did crave,
"Oh stay," quothe he "another night,
And thy money thou shalt have."
"I cannot stay nor will I stay
I needs mast now be gone."
"Why then thou mayest thy money go look,
For money I'll pay thee none."
This maid she made no more ado
But to a justice went
And unto him she made her moan
Who did her case lament.
She said she had a cellar let out
To a vintner in the town
And how that he did then agree
Five pounds to pay her down.
"Bat now," quothe she "the case is such
No rent that will he pay,
Therefore your worship I beseech
To send for him this day."
Then straight the justice for him sent
And asked the reason why
That he would pay this maid no rent,
To which he did reply:
"Although I hired a cellar of her
And the possession was mine,
I never put anything into it
But one poor pipe of wine,
Therefore my bargain it was hard,
As you may plainly see,
I from my freedom was debarred -
Then, good sir, favour me"
This fair maid being ripe of wit
She straight replied again:
"You had two barrels at the door,
Why did you not roll them in?
You had your freedom and your will,
As is to you well known,
Therefore I do desire still
For to receive my own!"
The justice hearing of this case,
Did there give order straight,
That he the money should pay down
She should no longer wait
Withal he told the vintner fine,
If he a tenant be
He must expect to pay the same
For he could not sit rent free.
But whet the money she had got
She put it into her parse
And clapt her hand on the cellar door
And said it was never the worse.
Which made the people all to laugh
To see this vintner fine
Outwitted by a country Girl
About his pipe of wine.