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THE WIDOWER'S COURTSHIP, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Roger a doleful widower
Last Line: And homeward went his way.
Alternate Author Name(s): Daphne
Subject(s): Courtship; Widows & Widowers


Roger a doleful widower,
Full eighteen weeks had been,
When he, to meet the milk-maid Nell,
Came smiling o'er the green.

Blithe as a lad of seventeen,
He thus accosted Nell;
Give me your pail, I'll carry it
For you, if you think well.

Says Nell, indeed my milking-pail
You shall not touch, I vow;
I've carried it myself before,
And I can carry it now.

So side by side they walk'd a-while,
Then he at last did say;
My inclination is to come
And see you, if I may.

Nell understood his meaning well,
And briskly answer'd she;
You may see me at any time,
If you look where I be.

Says he, but hear me yet a-while,
I've something more to tell;
I gladly wou'd a sweetheart be
Unto you, Mistress Nell.

A sweetheart I don't want, says Nell,
Kind Sir, and if you do,
Another you may seek, for I
Am not the lass for you.

When she had made him this reply,
He'd nothing more to say
But—Nelly, a good night to you,
And homeward went his way.





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