Synopsis

Of a group of sisters (three, five, or seven in different variants), one (the youngest, the oldest, the bonniest) falls in love with Richie Story (or some variant on the name Richard) and rejects an earl for him. She runs off with him.

In one variant, he proves rich, but in most, she lives in poverty with him, and on being asked if she regretted it, asks how could she, when she gained her heart's desire.

In another variant 'Richie' turns out to be the 'King of all England'.

Commentary

Falling in love with an apparently poor suitor is common in ballads -- The Beggar-Laddie

The Beggar-Laddie

The Beggar-Laddie is a traditional English ballad existing in several variants. It was collected by Francis James Child as Child ballad 280.-Synopsis:...

, Dugall Quin

Dugall Quin

-Synopsis:Dugall Quin wooes Lisie Meanes, asking her how she likes him in his ragged dress; she answers that she likes him and asks how he likes her in her fine clothing; he likes her and asks her to come with him. Her father asks her not to go. She defies him. Dugall tells her that if he comes...

, Lizie Lindsay

Lizie Lindsay

Lizie Lindsay is Child ballad 226, existing in several variants .-Synopsis:A highland Laird courts Lizie Lindsay in Edinburgh, sometimes after his mother had warned him not to hide his highland origins. Her family warns him off, but her maid encourages her...

, Glasgow Peggie

Glasgow Peggie

-Synopsis:A Highlander comes to steal Peggie. In most variants, her father , declare that he might steal their animals, but not their daughter. He carries her off anyway.A few variants end there....

-- but he generally proves a rich man after all; often this is after she regrets the poverty they travel in. This ballad usually shows a rare actual rejection of wealth for true love.

A similar motif is found in the ballad Tom Potts

Tom Potts

-Synopsis:The heroine rejects a rich suitor, Lord Fenix/Phenix, for her poor true love, Tom Potts. Her angry father makes arrangements for the wedding. She sends word to Tom. He sends back word that he will be there and goes to his lord, asking for assistance. The lord is generous with him. ...

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