Pretty Maid, The

It was on a fine summer's morning
The birds sweetly tune on each bough
And as i walked out for my pleasure
I saw a maid milking a cow

Her voice was so enchanting, melodious
Left me quite unable to go
My heart, it was loaded with sorrow
For the pretty maid milking her cow

Then to her i made my advances
"good morrow most beautiful maid
Your beauty my heart so entrances"
"pray sir do not banter," she said

"i'm not such a rare precious jewel
That i should enamour you so
I am but a poor little milk girl,"
Says the pretty maid milking her cow

The indies afford no such jewel
So bright, so transparently clear
I do not add things to my funeral
Consent but to know me my dear

Oh, had i the lamp of aladdin
Or the wealth that gold mines can bestow
I'd rather be poor in a cottage
With the pretty girl milking her cow.