Classic Poem

" Stop, stop!
I think I see my mother coming ...

" Oh mother, hast brought my golden ball,
And come to set me free? ... "

" I've neither brought thy golden ball,
Nor come to set thee free,
But I've come to see thee hung,
Upon this gallows-tree. "

" Stop, stop!
I think I see my father coming ...

" Oh father, hast brought my golden ball,
And come to set me free? ... "

" I've neither brought thy golden ball,
Nor come to set thee free,
But I have come to see thee hung,
Upon this gallows-tree. "

" Stop, stop!
I see my sweet-heart coming ...

" Sweet-heart, hast brought my golden ball,
And come to set me free? ... "

" Aye, I have brought thy golden ball,
And come to set thee free;
I have not come to see thee hung,
Upon this gallows-tree. "