Nursery Rhyme. CCCCLXXV. Love And Matrimony.

Can you make me a cambric shirt,             Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme;         Without any seam or needlework?             And you shall be a true lover of mine.         Can you wash it in yonder well,             Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme;         Where never sprung water, nor rain ever fell?             And you shall be a true lover of mine.         Can you dry it on yonder thorn,             Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme;         Which never bore blossom since Adam was born?             And you shall be a true lover of mine.         Now you have ask'd me questions three,             Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme;         I hope you'll answer as many for me,             And you shall be a true lover of mine.         Can you find me an acre of land,             Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme;         Between the salt water and the sea sand?             And you shall be a true lover of mine.         Can you plough it with a ram's horn,             Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme;         And sow it all over with one pepper-corn?             And you shall be a true lover of mine.         Can you reap it with a sickle of leather,             Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme;         And bind it up with a peacock's feather?             And you shall be a true lover of mine.         When you have done and finish'd your work,             Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme;         Then come to me for your cambric shirt,             And you shall be a true lover of mine.