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Sicily (Cecilia)
1
(1)
Cecilia on a certain day,
She dressed herself in man’s array,
2With a sword and pistol hung by her side,
To meet her true love, away did ride.
(2)
She met her true love all on the strand.
3She rode up to him and bade him stand.
“Stand and deliver, kind sir” she said,
“Or else this moment your life I’ll have.”
(3)
He delivered up his watch and gold,
But still she cries, “There is one thing more,”
A diamond ring I see you wear,
Deliver it to me and your life I’ll spare.”
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(4)
“This diamond ring is a token gave,
And rather than lose it my life you’ll have.
She being tender-hearted like a dove,
She rode away from her own true love.
(5)
Next morning in a garden green,
Like turtle doves those two were seen,
When he saw his watch hang by her clothes,
It made him blush like any rose.
(6)
“What makes you blush you foolish thing!
I fain
4 would’ve had your diamond ring.
Now since you have so loyal been,
Now take your watch and your gold again!!"
Finis.
Notes
1
This is a traditional English ballad, with the anti-heroine known alternately as Sovai, Sovay, Silvy, Sylvia, Shilo, Sally, and other names, and the ballad often titled The Female Highwayman.
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2
array:fine clothes. archaic.
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3
strand: beach; shore.archaic.
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4
fain: with eagerness; gladly. archaic.
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