There was a rich merchant in London did right
Had one only daughter, her beauty shined bright
She loved a porter, and to prevent the day
Of marriage they sent this poor young man away

Oh now he has gone for to serve his king
It grieves this poor lady to think of this thing
She dressed herself up in the rich merchant's shape
And wandered away for her true love to seek

As she was a-traveling one day, almost night,
A couple of Indians appeared in her sight
And as they drew nigher, oh, to her they did say:
'Now we are resolved to take your life away.'

She had nothing by her but a sword to defend
These barbarous Indians did murder intend,
But in the contest one of them she did kill,
Which caused the other to leave the hill

And as she was a-sailing for over the tide
She spied a city down by the seaside
She saw her dear porter a-walking the street
She made it her business her true love to meet

'How do you do, sir. Where do you belong?
I'm a-hunting a diamond, then I must be gone.'
He says:'I'm no sailor, but if you meet a man
For my passage is over I'll do all I can.'

Then straightway they both went on board.
Says the captain to the young man: 'What did you do with your sword?'
On account of long travel on him she did gaze:
'Once by my sword my sweet life did save.'

Then straightway to London this ship it did steer
Sueh utter destruction to us did appear.
It was out on the main sea, to our discontent,
A hole in the ship-case to the bottom she went.

There was four-and-twenty of us contained in one boat;
Our provision gave out and our allowance grew short.
Our provisions gave out, and death drawing nigh,
Says the captain:'Let's cast lots for to see who shall die.'

Then down on a paper each man's name was wrote;
Each man run his venture, each man drew his note.
Amongst the whole ship's crew this maid's was the least;
It was her lot to die for to feed all the rest.

'And now', says the captain,'let's cast lots and see
Amongst the ship's crew who the butcher shall be.'
Twas the hardest of fortune that you ever did hear,
She was to be killed by the young man, her dear

He called for a basin to catch the blood
While this lovely maiden a-trembling stood,
Saying:'Lord, have mercy on me, how my poor heart do bleed
To think I must die, hungry men for to feed.'

Then he called for a knife his business to do.
She says: 'Hold your hand for one minute or two.
A silk merchant's daughter in London I be;
Pray see what I've come to by loving of thee.'

Then she showed him a ring that betwixt them was broke.
And his knowing the ring, twas with a sigh that he spoke;
'For the thoughts of your dying my poor heart will burst;
For the hopes of your long life, love, I will die first.'

Said the captain: 'If you love her, then you'll make amend;
But the fewest of number that will die for a friend.
So let's hasten this business, and let it be done';
But as they were speaking they all heard a gun.

In about half an hour a ship did appear
A ship with
Straight ways to new London this ship it was bound
Straight ways to get married, this young man and maid