Undaunted Female

It's of a pretty fair maid, in London Town did dwell Of whit and of beauty, there were none that could excell To her master and her mistress she served seven years And what follows after you quickly shall hear She put the box upon her head and so she went along The first that she met was a stout and able man Said he, "My pretty fair maid, where are you going this way?" "I'll show you a shorter road across the country." Along he took her by the hand and led her to a lane Said he, "My pretty fair maid, I mean to tell you plain," "Deliver up your money, without your fear or strife," "Or else this very moment I'll take away your life!" The tears from around her eyes like two fountains did flow "Oh, where shall I wander? Oh, where shall I go?" But whilst this young fellow was a-feeling for his knife This damsel found his pistol and took away his life She put the box upon her head and so she carried along The next that she met was a noble gentleman Said he, "My pretty fair maid, where are you going this late?" "And what was that noise that I heard at yonder gate?" "The box upon your head to yourself does not belong," "To your master or your mistress you have done something wrong," "To your master or your mistress you have done something ill," "For one moment from trembling you cannot keep still!" "The box upon my head to myself it does belong," "To my master and my mistress I have done nothing wrong," "To my master and my mistress I have done nothing ill," "But I fear in my heart it's a man I have killed." "He asked me for my money and soon I let him know," "And when he took his knife, I proved his overthrow." Along she took him by the hand and led him to the place Where this stout and able fellow lay a-bleeding on his face They searched him all over to see what he had got He had three loaded pistols, some powder, and some shot He had three loaded pistols, some powder, and some ball A knife, and a whistle, more robbers for to call She put the whistle to her lips and blew both loud and shrill And four stout, able fellows came a-traipsing down the hill The gentleman shot one of them, and that most speedily But this beautiful young damsel, she shot the other three