Dear all,
I am studying Welsh popular ballads of the eighteenth century and am
looking for a possibly English source of one particular romantic ballad.
The Welsh poets frequently borrowed and adapted themes and narratives from
the broadsides and chapbooks, giving them a typically Welsh flavour, but
because the ballad of 'William and Susan' does not have a distinct Welsh
tone I believe it to be a translation of an English text.

The ballad was printed in 1785 and goes something like this:
Susan and William are betrothed but on her wedding day she is taken ill,
and William is sent to sea not knowing whether she will survive. Susan
however recovers, and after 6 months is courted by a young squire, but to
her parents dismay she remains loyal to William. To punish her, she is sent
by her parents to Holland to 'tend to a Lady', and when William returns to
England he is told she is dead. He returns to sea broken-hearted, but bad
weather obstructs their voyage, and his ship is forced to land in Holland.
Who should he meet by chance, but fair Susan. All is explained and they
sail to Plymouth, and William invites Susan's parents to his wedding -
without revealing the identity of his bride. They believe he has found
another sweetheart and because of her heavy veil do not recognise their
daughter until after the ceremony. All is forgiven and Susan finally
recieves her parents' blessing.

Does this sound familiar? The ballad includes many common themes found in
the romances of the period, but I would be particularly grateful for any
pointers to a possible source (although it could be an original Welsh
composition of course).

thanks - diolch yn fawr,
Siwan Rosser,
University of Wales, Aberystwyth.