Cambric shirt- John Lonsdale (Lanc) c.1827
[My title. From the London magazine, The Athenaeum, 1867, page 262. cf. Gammer Gurton's Garland.
R. Matteson 2018]
MISCELLANEA
Old Rhymes and Riddles.—
I think the collector of “Popular Romances of the West of England is in error in appending to his verses Dr. Whewell's riddle, which, in my opinion, has no reference to the original verses, which are as follows:–
Canst thou make me a cambric shirt—
Savory, sage, rosemary, and thyme—
Without e'er a seam, or one stitch of work?
And, then, thou shalt be a true lover of mine.
Canst thou wash it in yonder well—
Savory, sage, rosemary, and thyme—
Where water ne'er rose, or rain ever fell ?
And, then, thou shalt be a true lover of mine.
Canst thou dry it on yonder thorn—
Savory, sage, rosemary, and thyme—
That never bore blossom since Adam was born?
And, then, thou shalt be a true lover of nine.
Now thou hast asked me questions Three,
And I will do the same of thee.
Canst thou find me an acre of land
Between the sea and the sea sand?
And, then, thou shalt be a true lover of mine.
Canst thou plough it with a cow's horn,
And sow it o'er with one peppercorn?
And, then, thou shalt be a true lover of mine.
Canst thou mow it with a sickle of leather,
And bind it up with a peacock's feather:
And, then, thou shalt be a true lover of mine.
—I have been unable to discover the writer of these verses; but this is the true version of them, as received in this county, to my knowledge, upwards of forty years. Perhaps Notes and Queries may be able to throw some light upon this matter. JOHN RISHTON LONSDALE. Liverpool, Feb. 14, 1867.