XCVI (96) (This is my favourite verse.)
A sweet bird-loving country girl
Won the heart of a noble Lord.
His family did not approve
And hoped he'd soon get bored.
He sent his love a partridge
In a Conference pear tree
(At least that's what he said it was
As no leaves could he see.)
Two turtle doves then winged their way
Pursued by three French hens.
Four calling birds brought up the rear
Low flying o'er the glens.
But when he gave her five gold rings
Part of his family wealth,
They knew the time had come to act
With guile and secret stealth.
They said "to win your love
With large birds you must woo her."
Six laying geese and seven swans
Soon found their way to her.
He had no message from his love -
"Send servants" said his mother,
So he despatched eight milking maids
He'd borrowed from his brother.
"Send her men" his uncle urged,
Some nobles would be nice,
Nine lords leapt with alacrity
Before he could ask twice.
"Try music" urged his sister,
So the amorous young man
Sent drummers and dancers
And the pipes of the next door clan.
Those pipers were the final straw,
No more could she take,
Their riotious carousing
Had kept the maid awake.
Her family grew quite desperate
They knew not what to say,
They watched their farm deteriorate
With every passing day.
The swans were hissing at the geese
The drummers and pipers were fighting
The lords and ladies gaily danced
On next year's crop alighting
The maid returned the noble's gifts,
Thank you my Lord" said she,
I've only kept the partridge -
And it was a damson tree.
But one of your young drummer boys
Prefers this country life,
So he is going to stay behind
And I'm to be his wife.
1.1.1989
