In Buxton Town in Staffordshire, A farmer's daughter liv'd there, On a gamekeeper, as we find, This damsel she did fix her mind. It happened lately in the Park, She met her lover with an aching heart, She said my dear what shall I do, For I'm big with child by you. I will not marry yet said he, For while I'm single I am free, From his pocket a knife he drew, And pierc'd her tender body through. He ripp'd her up and there was by, A baby in her womb did cry, He then did hide her among some thorns, The baby crawled into her arms. Somebody hearing her to cry, There they went immediately, And found them hid among some thorns, The baby crawling in her arms. They took the keeper before it was long, And bound him in a prison strong, And he was soon condemned to die, All on the gallows tree so high. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ILLUSIONS by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON THE PASSING OF THE EX-SLAVE by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON THE SEASONS by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON DOMESDAY BOOK: THE VERDICT by EDGAR LEE MASTERS SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: JAMES GARBER by EDGAR LEE MASTERS BEFORE A STATUE OF ACHILLES by GEORGE SANTAYANA |