And thus, to Betty"s question, he Made answer, like a traveller bold, (His very words I give to you,) "The c.o.c.ks did crow to-whoo, to-whoo, 450 And the sun did shine so cold!"
--Thus answered Johnny in his glory, And that was all his travel"s story.
VARIANTS ON THE TEXT
[Variant 1:
1827.
He shouts from ... 1798.]
[Variant 2: Inserted in the editions 1798 to 1820.
Beneath the moon that shines so bright, Till she is tired, let Betty Foy With girt and stirrup fiddle-faddle; But wherefore set upon a saddle Him whom she loves, her idiot boy?]
[Variant 3:
1836.
There"s scarce a soul that"s out of bed; 1798.]
[Variant 4: Inserted in the editions 1798 to 1820.
The world will say "tis very idle, Bethink you of the time of night; There"s not a mother, no not one, But when she hears what you have done, Oh! Betty she"ll be in a fright.]
[Variant 5:
1836.
Has up upon the saddle set, 1798.]
[Variant 6:
1820.
... that"s in the dale, 1798.]
[Variant 7:
1827.
... bough"s ... 1798.]
[Variant 8:
1827.
And Betty"s standing at the door, And Betty"s face with joy o"erflows, 1798.]
[Variant 9:
1820.
And Johnny"s in a merry tune, 1798.]
[Variant 10:
1827.
And ... 1798.]
[Variant 11:
1836.
What comfort Johnny soon will bring, 1798.
What comfort soon her Boy will bring, 1827.]
[Variant 12:
1827.
And Betty"s still at Susan"s side: By this time she"s not quite so flurried; 1798.]
[Variant 13:
1827.
They"ll both be ... 1798.]
[Variant 14: