The Ballad of Tregeagle, Part I (music - Martha Woods, lyrics - John Penwarne, adapted by Martha Woods)
In Cornwall’s famed land by the pool on the moor,
Tregeagle the wicked did dwell,
He once was a shepherd, contented and poor,
But growing ambitious, and wishing for more,
Sad fortune the shepherd befell.
One night all alone as he crossed the wild heath,
Driving his flock to the fold,
All nature was still, and the winds scarcely breathed
O’er the moon-silvered hills and the valleys beneath
As he cast his eye over the wold.
“Ah, why should I live by hard labour” said he,
“and be held by the rich in disdain?”
“I wish” said Tregeagle “for all that I see,
Oh then what a happy great man I should be!
When lord of extensive domain”.
The wolves they were howling, the wind sadly sighed,
The moon hid her head in a cloud,
A dark figure advanced upon a black steed,
Arrayed in black armour, a plume on his head,
And hideous dogs at his side.
The knight nothing spake, but he leapt with a bound,
From off his high steed with a frown,
And as he alit on the trembling ground,
His armour clanked hollow, a terrible sound,
And thus he spake to the poor man:
“See, what dost thou wish for, thy trembling Knave?
But thy wishes are known unto me;
I give my consent then if thou art my slave;
Long life to enjoy too, thy wish thou shalt have,
And a hundred years I give to thee”
“I’ll build thee a castle, so fair and so fine,
Around it green forests I’ll rear,
And vessels and serving men too shall be thine
And thy hall and with gold and with silver shall shine
And with “sir” shall be greeted thine ear.”
“And when thy long term shall be passed away,
At thy lot wilt thou never repine?
And wild thou be ready thy boon to repay?
Speak boldly Tregeagle! Pray dost thou say?
Shall thy soul and thy body be mine”
“A bargain, a bargain!” then said he aloud,
“At my lot I will never repine:
I swear to observe it, I swear by the rood,
And I’m ready to seal and to sign with my blood,
Both thy soul and thy body are mine.”