A pageant of summer

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Mistress Molly rose up one day,
(None so pretty, oh, none so fair),
Dressed herself in her fine array,
Cap and kirtle and all, oh!
Mistress Molly went down the street,
(None so pretty, oh, none so neat),
When sturdy William she chanced for to meet,
With hose and jerkin and all, oh!

Honest William he blushed and sighed:
"None so pretty, oh, none so fair,
I'm from the country to find me a bride,
Wi'rings and posies and all, oh!"
Mistress Molly she then did say
(None so pretty, oh, none so gay)
"Yonder's the church across the way,
Clerk and parson and all, oh!"

Bells are ringing in London town,
(None so pretty, oh, none so fair),
Give the ringers a silver crown,
Sexton, bellman and all, oh!
Haste to the wedding from far and wide,
None so pretty as London pride,
A health to the groom and a kiss for the bride,
And fun and frolic for all, oh!

Gay gowns and colours rare,
Bright eyes and tresses fair,
I hardly saw you there,
Mignonette!
You were so small and shy
I nearly passed you by,
Oh, what a dullard I,
Mignonette, Mignonette!

Others more fair of face
Flutter their silk and lace,
Yours is the gentler grace,
Mignonette!
Drest in your gown of green,
Yours is the modest mien,
Yours is the charm unseen,
Mignonette, Mignonette!

Dearest of maids that be,
You are the maid for me,
You hold my heart in fee,
Mignonette!
Graces unguessed before,
Sweetness in hidden store,
Each day I love you more,
Mignonette, Mignonette!

Oh, I will take the high road that runs across the plain,
To meet the kiss of sunshine, the sting of wind and rain,
By farm and field and homestead with gardens all in flower,
Where I perchance may linger and rest me for an hour.

Oh, I will take the by-road that dips down to the sea,
Where many ships go riding so gallant and so free,
And I shall find a tavern with windows all alight,
To give me kindly welcome and shelter for a night.

Oh, friendly hearth and homestead, with you I cannot stay,
The long roads lie before me, they beckon night and day,
The strange roads yet untrodden, they call to man and boy
To follow, follow ever on, for this is the traveller's joy!

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