IV. THE WITCHES’ ISLAND. 217

 

issued from the tree, and addressed her in the
following manner, singing new and strange words to
the tune of a song which she had often heard her
husband carol forth in his manly tones in former
happy days :—

L

‘John Goodchild one day
From the mainland did stray,
Saying, ‘‘ Barren and dreary is my land,
*Twould be much more jolly
To quit melancholy,
And dwell on yon beautiful island.”
Oh ! ’tis a sweet little island!
The witches they live on the island ;
They heard what he asked
On the beach while he basked,
And took him to live on their island!

Il.

* His wife was from home

When he hither did come,

Or scarce he’d have ventured to try land;
But the sea he’s now left,
And his wife, all bereft,

Comes to drag him away from our island.
Oh ! ’tis a nice little island !

Come, Molly and live on the island !
Come, nothing loth,
There is room for you both,

And you’re welcome to stop in the island !

Ill.

‘Both, well shall we treat ;
You'll have plenty to eat,
And have no occasion to buy land ;
For yours it will be,
Both the earth and the sea,
If you stay in this beautiful island.