ELLEN, or the RICHMOND PRIMROSE GIRL

Near Bow'ry Richmond, Thames' side, Dwelt Ellen when her father died; One snowy night he lost his way, And never more beheld the day: Two infant boys, around their mother clung. And kindred grief the heart of Ellen wrung.

Upon the earth her eyes she threw, Where flowerets wild before her grew; Those gifts, by bounteous nature spread, She gather'd to procure them bread: And through the hollow founding streets, By some reliev'd, but jeer'd by many, Her cry each morning she repeats, Primroses, Primroses, two bunches a penny.

Her pensive way I've seen her keep, With anxious step, from door to door, And oft, I've turn'd aside to weep, And mourn'd that fortune made me poor: E're early light adorns the sky, She roves the heath, or valley, Jenny, And towards proud London hastes, to cry Primroses, Primroses, two bunches a penny.