In Court (c. 1774-75)

 

Who gave it me, I shall not tell,

The child I've got in me;

Call me a whore, if you like, and spit:

I'm an honest woman, see?

 

He's good and kind, I'll not say who,

My sweetheart that I wed,

A chain of gold on his neck he wears

And a straw hat on his head.

 

Chuckle and scorn to your heart's content,

I'll take the scorn from you;

I know him well, he knows me well,

God knows about us, too.

 

Lay off me, folks, you, reverend,

You, officer of the laws!

It is my child, it stays my child,

And it's no concern of yours.

 

 

Translated by Christopher Middleton