9, to.28, they.30, Soe.35, cause.50. Wherfore.v.98, Whan.v.152, Shul.200, bed, Wright.v.230, That, womanhod.238, cum.v.253, yet is.v.310, Of them I wolde be one. Percy MS.
9, to.
28, they.
30, Soe.
35, cause.
50. Wherfore.
v.98, Whan.
v.152, Shul.
200, bed, Wright.
v.230, That, womanhod.
238, cum.
v.253, yet is.
v.310, Of them I wolde be one. Percy MS.
FromReliques of Ancient English Poetry, iii. 177. Another copy is in Ritson'sAncient Songs, ii. 134.
"From an ancient black-letter copy in the Pepys collection, with some improvements communicated by a lady as she had heard the same recited in her youth. The full title is,True love requited: Or, the Bailiff's daughter of Islington."—Percy.
There was a youthe, and a well-beloved youthe,And he was a squires son:He loved the bayliffes daughter deare,That lived in Islington.Yet she was coye, and would not believe5That he did love her soe,Noe nor at any time would sheAny countenance to him showe.But when his friendes did understandHis fond and foolish minde,10They sent him up to faire London,An apprentice for to binde.And when he had been seven long yeares,And never his love could see,—"Many a teare have I shed for her sake,15When she little thought of mee."Then all the maids of IslingtonWent forth to sport and playe,All but the bayliffes daughter deare;She secretly stole awaye.20She pulled off her gowne of greene,And put on ragged attire,And to faire London she would go,Her true love to enquire.And as she went along the high road,25The weather being hot and drye,She sat her downe upon a green bank,And her true love came riding bye.She started up, with a colour soe redd,Catching hold of his bridle-reine;30"One penny, one penny, kind sir," she sayd,"Will ease me of much paine.""Before I give you one penny, sweet-heart,Praye tell me where you were borne.""At Islington, kind sir," sayd shee,35"Where I have had many a scorne.""I prythee, sweet-heart, then tell to mee,O tell me, whether you knoweThe bayliffes daughter of Islington.""She is dead, sir, long agoe."40"If she be dead, then take my horse,My saddle and bridle also;For I will into some farr countrye,Where noe man shall me knowe.""O staye, O staye, thou goodlye youthe,45She standeth by thy side;She is here alive, she is not dead,And readye to be thy bride.""O farewell griefe, and welcome joye,Ten thousand times therefore;50For nowe I have founde mine owne true love,Whom I thought I should never see more."
There was a youthe, and a well-beloved youthe,And he was a squires son:He loved the bayliffes daughter deare,That lived in Islington.
Yet she was coye, and would not believe5That he did love her soe,Noe nor at any time would sheAny countenance to him showe.
But when his friendes did understandHis fond and foolish minde,10They sent him up to faire London,An apprentice for to binde.
And when he had been seven long yeares,And never his love could see,—"Many a teare have I shed for her sake,15When she little thought of mee."
Then all the maids of IslingtonWent forth to sport and playe,All but the bayliffes daughter deare;She secretly stole awaye.20
She pulled off her gowne of greene,And put on ragged attire,And to faire London she would go,Her true love to enquire.
And as she went along the high road,25The weather being hot and drye,She sat her downe upon a green bank,And her true love came riding bye.
She started up, with a colour soe redd,Catching hold of his bridle-reine;30"One penny, one penny, kind sir," she sayd,"Will ease me of much paine."
"Before I give you one penny, sweet-heart,Praye tell me where you were borne.""At Islington, kind sir," sayd shee,35"Where I have had many a scorne."
"I prythee, sweet-heart, then tell to mee,O tell me, whether you knoweThe bayliffes daughter of Islington.""She is dead, sir, long agoe."40
"If she be dead, then take my horse,My saddle and bridle also;For I will into some farr countrye,Where noe man shall me knowe."
"O staye, O staye, thou goodlye youthe,45She standeth by thy side;She is here alive, she is not dead,And readye to be thy bride."
"O farewell griefe, and welcome joye,Ten thousand times therefore;50For nowe I have founde mine owne true love,Whom I thought I should never see more."
The copy here given of this favorite popular ballad is derived fromAncient Poems, Ballads, and Songs of the Peasantry of England, Percy Society, xvii. 60. It is there printed from a modern broadside, "carefully collated" with a copy in the Bagford collection. In Percy's edition, (Reliques, ii. 171,) besides many trivial emendations, eight modern stanzas (said to be the work of Robert Dodsley) are substituted for the first five of the Beggar's second song, "to remove absurdities and inconsistencies," and to reconcile the story to probability and true history! The copy inA Collection of Old Ballads, ii. 202, is not very different from the present, and the few changes that have been made in the text selected, unless otherwise accounted for, are adopted from that.
"Pepys, in his diary, 25th June, 1663, speaks of going with Sir William and Lady Batten, and Sir J. Minnes, to Sir W. Rider's at Bednall Green, to dinner, 'a fine place;' and adds, 'This very house was built by the Blind Beggar of Bednall Green, so much talked of and sung in ballads; but they say it was only some outhouses of it.'"Chappell,Popular Musk of the Olden Time, p. 159.
This song's of a beggar who long lost his sight,And had a fair daughter, most pleasant and bright;And many a gallant brave suitor had she,And none was so comely as pretty Bessee.And though she was of complexion most fair,5Yet seeingshe was but a beggar his heir,Of ancient housekeepers despised was she,Whose sons came as suitors to pretty Bessee.Wherefore in great sorrow fair Bessee did say,"Good father and mother, let me now go away,10To seek out my fortune, whatever it be;"This suit then was granted to pretty Bessee.This Bessee, that was of a beauty most bright,They clad in gray russet, and late in the nightFrom father and mother alone parted she,15Who sighed and sobbed for pretty Bessee.She went till she came to Stratford-at-Bow,Then she knew not whither or which way to go;With tears she lamented her sad destiny,So sad and so heavy was pretty Bessee.20She kept on her journey until it was day,And went unto Rumford along the highway;And at the King's Arms entertained was she,So fair and well-favoured was pretty Bessee.She had not been there one month at an end,25But master and mistress and all was her friend;And every brave gallant that once did her seeWas straightway in love with pretty Bessee.Great gifts they did send her of silver and gold,And in their songs daily her love they extoll'd;30Her beauty was blazed in every degree,So fair and so comely was pretty Bessee.The young men of Rumford in her had their joy;She shewed herself courteous, but never too coy,And at their commandment still she would be,35So fair and so comely was pretty Bessee.Four suitors at once unto her did go,They craved her favour, but still she said no;"I would not have gentlemen marry with me,"—Yet ever they honoured pretty Bessee.40Now one of them was a gallant young knight,And he came unto her disguised in the night;The second, a gentleman of high degree,Who wooed and sued for pretty Bessee.A merchant of London, whose wealth was not small,45Was then the third suitor, and proper withal;Her master's own son the fourth man must be,Who swore he would die for pretty Bessee."If that thou wilt marry with me," quoth the knight,"I'll make thee a lady with joy and delight;50My heart is enthralled in thy fair beauty,Then grant me thy favour, my pretty Bessee."The gentleman said, "Come marry with me,In silks and in velvets my Bessee shall be;My heart lies distracted, oh hear me!" quoth he,55"And grant me thy love, my dear pretty Bessee.""Let me be thy husband," the merchant did say,"Thou shalt live in London most gallant and gay;My ships shall bring home rich jewels for thee,And I will for ever love pretty Bessee."60Then Bessee she sighed, and thus she did say;"My father and mother I mean to obey;First get their goodwill, and be faithful to me,And you shall enjoy your dear pretty Bessee."To every one of them that answer she made;65Therefore unto her they joyfully said,"This thing to fulfill we all now agree;But where dwells thy father, my pretty Bessee?""My father," quoth she, "is soon to be seen;The silly blind beggar of Bednall Green,70That daily sits begging for charity,He is the kind father of pretty Bessee."His marks and his token are knowen full well;He always is led by a dog and a bell;A poor silly old man, God knoweth, is he,75Yet he is the true father of pretty Bessee.""Nay, nay," quoth the merchant, "thou art not for me;""She," quoth the innholder, "my wife shall not be;""I loathe," said the gentleman, "a beggars degree,Therefore, now farewell, my pretty Bessee."80"Why then," quoth the knight, "happ better or worse,I weigh not true love by the weight of the purse,And beauty is beauty in every degree;Then welcome to me, my dear pretty Bessee."With thee to thy father forthwith I will go."85"Nay, forbear," quoth his kinsman, "it must not be so:A poor beggars daughter a lady sha'nt be;Then take thy adieu of thy pretty Bessee."As soon then as it was break of the day,The knight had from Rumford stole Bessee away;90The young men of Rumford, sosickas may be,Rode after to fetch again pretty Bessee.As swift as the wind to ride they were seen,Until they came near unto Bednall Green,And as the knight lighted most courteously,95They fought against him for pretty Bessee.But rescue came presently over the plain,Or else the knight there for his love had been slain;The fray being ended, they straightway did seeHis kinsman come railing at pretty Bessee.100Then bespoke the Blind Beggar, "Altho' I be poor,Rail not against my child at my own door;Though she be not decked in velvet and pearl,Yet I will drop angels with thee for my girl;"And then if my gold should better her birth,105And equal the gold you lay on the earth,Then neither rail you, nor grudge you to seeThe Blind Beggars daughter a lady to be."But first, I will hear, and have it well known,The gold that you drop it shall be all you own;"110"With that," they replied, "contented we be;""Then heres," quoth the beggar, "for pretty Bessee."With that an angel he dropped on the ground,And dropped, in angels, full three thousand pound;And oftentimes it proved most plain,115For the gentlemans one, the beggar dropped twain.So that the whole place wherein they did sitWith gold was covered every whit;The gentleman having dropt all his store,Said, "Beggar, your hand hold, for I have no more.120"Thou hast fulfilled thy promise aright;""Then marry my girl," quoth he to the knight;"And then," quoth he, "I will throw you down,An hundred pound more to buy her a gown."The gentlemen all, who his treasure had seen,125Admired the Beggar of Bednall Green.And those that had been her suitors before,Their tender flesh for anger they tore.Thus was the fair Bessee matched to a knight,And made a lady in others despite:130A fairer lady there never was seenThan the Blind Beggars daughter of Bednall Green.But of her sumptuous marriage and feast,And what fine lords and ladies there prest,The second part shall set forth to your sight,135With marvellous pleasure, and wished for delight.
This song's of a beggar who long lost his sight,And had a fair daughter, most pleasant and bright;And many a gallant brave suitor had she,And none was so comely as pretty Bessee.
And though she was of complexion most fair,5Yet seeingshe was but a beggar his heir,Of ancient housekeepers despised was she,Whose sons came as suitors to pretty Bessee.
Wherefore in great sorrow fair Bessee did say,"Good father and mother, let me now go away,10To seek out my fortune, whatever it be;"This suit then was granted to pretty Bessee.
This Bessee, that was of a beauty most bright,They clad in gray russet, and late in the nightFrom father and mother alone parted she,15Who sighed and sobbed for pretty Bessee.
She went till she came to Stratford-at-Bow,Then she knew not whither or which way to go;With tears she lamented her sad destiny,So sad and so heavy was pretty Bessee.20
She kept on her journey until it was day,And went unto Rumford along the highway;And at the King's Arms entertained was she,So fair and well-favoured was pretty Bessee.
She had not been there one month at an end,25But master and mistress and all was her friend;And every brave gallant that once did her seeWas straightway in love with pretty Bessee.
Great gifts they did send her of silver and gold,And in their songs daily her love they extoll'd;30Her beauty was blazed in every degree,So fair and so comely was pretty Bessee.
The young men of Rumford in her had their joy;She shewed herself courteous, but never too coy,And at their commandment still she would be,35So fair and so comely was pretty Bessee.
Four suitors at once unto her did go,They craved her favour, but still she said no;"I would not have gentlemen marry with me,"—Yet ever they honoured pretty Bessee.40
Now one of them was a gallant young knight,And he came unto her disguised in the night;The second, a gentleman of high degree,Who wooed and sued for pretty Bessee.
A merchant of London, whose wealth was not small,45Was then the third suitor, and proper withal;Her master's own son the fourth man must be,Who swore he would die for pretty Bessee.
"If that thou wilt marry with me," quoth the knight,"I'll make thee a lady with joy and delight;50My heart is enthralled in thy fair beauty,Then grant me thy favour, my pretty Bessee."
The gentleman said, "Come marry with me,In silks and in velvets my Bessee shall be;My heart lies distracted, oh hear me!" quoth he,55"And grant me thy love, my dear pretty Bessee."
"Let me be thy husband," the merchant did say,"Thou shalt live in London most gallant and gay;My ships shall bring home rich jewels for thee,And I will for ever love pretty Bessee."60
Then Bessee she sighed, and thus she did say;"My father and mother I mean to obey;First get their goodwill, and be faithful to me,And you shall enjoy your dear pretty Bessee."
To every one of them that answer she made;65Therefore unto her they joyfully said,"This thing to fulfill we all now agree;But where dwells thy father, my pretty Bessee?"
"My father," quoth she, "is soon to be seen;The silly blind beggar of Bednall Green,70That daily sits begging for charity,He is the kind father of pretty Bessee.
"His marks and his token are knowen full well;He always is led by a dog and a bell;A poor silly old man, God knoweth, is he,75Yet he is the true father of pretty Bessee."
"Nay, nay," quoth the merchant, "thou art not for me;""She," quoth the innholder, "my wife shall not be;""I loathe," said the gentleman, "a beggars degree,Therefore, now farewell, my pretty Bessee."80
"Why then," quoth the knight, "happ better or worse,I weigh not true love by the weight of the purse,And beauty is beauty in every degree;Then welcome to me, my dear pretty Bessee.
"With thee to thy father forthwith I will go."85"Nay, forbear," quoth his kinsman, "it must not be so:A poor beggars daughter a lady sha'nt be;Then take thy adieu of thy pretty Bessee."
As soon then as it was break of the day,The knight had from Rumford stole Bessee away;90The young men of Rumford, sosickas may be,Rode after to fetch again pretty Bessee.
As swift as the wind to ride they were seen,Until they came near unto Bednall Green,And as the knight lighted most courteously,95They fought against him for pretty Bessee.
But rescue came presently over the plain,Or else the knight there for his love had been slain;The fray being ended, they straightway did seeHis kinsman come railing at pretty Bessee.100
Then bespoke the Blind Beggar, "Altho' I be poor,Rail not against my child at my own door;Though she be not decked in velvet and pearl,Yet I will drop angels with thee for my girl;
"And then if my gold should better her birth,105And equal the gold you lay on the earth,Then neither rail you, nor grudge you to seeThe Blind Beggars daughter a lady to be.
"But first, I will hear, and have it well known,The gold that you drop it shall be all you own;"110"With that," they replied, "contented we be;""Then heres," quoth the beggar, "for pretty Bessee."
With that an angel he dropped on the ground,And dropped, in angels, full three thousand pound;And oftentimes it proved most plain,115For the gentlemans one, the beggar dropped twain.
So that the whole place wherein they did sitWith gold was covered every whit;The gentleman having dropt all his store,Said, "Beggar, your hand hold, for I have no more.120
"Thou hast fulfilled thy promise aright;""Then marry my girl," quoth he to the knight;"And then," quoth he, "I will throw you down,An hundred pound more to buy her a gown."
The gentlemen all, who his treasure had seen,125Admired the Beggar of Bednall Green.And those that had been her suitors before,Their tender flesh for anger they tore.
Thus was the fair Bessee matched to a knight,And made a lady in others despite:130A fairer lady there never was seenThan the Blind Beggars daughter of Bednall Green.
But of her sumptuous marriage and feast,And what fine lords and ladies there prest,The second part shall set forth to your sight,135With marvellous pleasure, and wished for delight.
6. And seeing.91. Percy hasthicke.
6. And seeing.
91. Percy hasthicke.
Of a blind beggars daughter so bright,That late was betrothed to a young knight,All the whole discourse therof you did see,But now comes the wedding of pretty Bessee.It was in a gallant palace most brave,5Adorned with all the cost they could have,This wedding it was kept most sumptuously,And all for the love of pretty Bessee.And all kind of dainties and delicates sweetWas brought to their banquet, as it was thought meet;10Partridge, and plover, and venison most free,Against the brave wedding of pretty Bessee.The wedding thro' England was spread by report,So that a great number thereto did resort,Of nobles and gentles of every degree,15And all for the fame of pretty Bessee.To church then away went this gallant young knight,His bride followed after, an angel most bright,With troops of ladies, the like was ne'er seen,As went with sweet Bessee of Bednall Green.20This wedding being solemnized then,With music performed by skilfullest men,The nobles andgentles sat down at that tide,Each one beholding the beautiful bride.But after the sumptuous dinner was done,25To talk and to reason a number begun,And of the Blind Beggars daughter most bright,And what with his daughter he gave to the knight.Then spoke the nobles, "Much marvel have weThis jolly blind beggar we cannot yet see!"30"My lords," quoth the bride, "my father so baseIs loathe with his presence these states to disgrace.""The praise of a woman in question to bring,Before her own face, is a flattering thing;But we think thy fathers baseness," quoth they,35"Might by thy beauty be clean put away."They no sooner this pleasant word spoke,But in comes the beggar in a silken cloak,A velvet cap and a feather had he,And now a musician, forsooth, he would be.40And being led in, from catching of harm,He had a dainty lute under his arm;Said, "Please you to hear any music of me,A song I will give you of pretty Bessee."With that his lute he twanged straightway,45And thereon began most sweetly to play,And after a lesson was played two or three,He strained out this song most delicately:—"A beggars daughter did dwell on a green,Who for her beautymightwell be a queen,50A blythe bonny lass, and dainty was she,And many one called her pretty Bessee."Her father he had no goods nor no lands,But begged for a penny all day with his hands,And yet for her marriage gave thousands three,55Yet still he hath somewhat for pretty Bessee."And here if any one do her disdain,Her father is ready with might and with main,To prove she is come of noble degree,Therefore let none flout at my pretty Bessee."60With that the lords and the company roundWith a hearty laughter were ready to swound;At last said the lords, "Full well we may see,The bride and the bridegroom's beholden to thee."With that the fair bride all blushing did rise,65With chrystal water all in her bright eyes;"Pardon my father, brave nobles," quoth she,"That through blind affection thus doats upon me.""If this be thy father," the nobles did say,"Well may he be proud of this happy day,70Yet by his countenance well may we see,His birth with his fortune could never agree."And therefore, blind beggar, we pray thee bewray,Andlook that the truth to usthou dost say,Thy birth and thy parentage what it may be,75E'en for the love thou bearest to pretty Bessee.""Then give me leave, ye gentles each one,A song more to sing and then I'll begone;And if that I do not win good report,Then do not give me one groat for my sport:—80"When first our king his fame did advance,And sought his title in delicate France,In many places great perils past he,But then was not born my pretty Bessee."And at those wars went over to fight,85Many a brave duke, a lord, and a knight,And with them young Monford of courage so free,But then was not born my pretty Bessee."And there did young Monford with a blow on the faceLose both his eyes in a very short space;90His life had been gone away with his sight,Had not a young woman gone forth in the night."Among theslain men, her fancy did moveTo search and to seek for her own true love,Who seeing young Monford there gasping to die,95She saved his life through her charity."And then all our victuals in beggars attire,At the hands of good people we then did require;At last into England, as now it is seen,We came, and remained in Bednall Green.100"And thus we have lived in Fortune's despyght,Though poor, yet contented, with humble delight,And in my old years, a comfort to me,God sent me a daughter, called pretty Bessee."And thus, ye nobles, my song I do end,105Hoping by the same no man to offend;Full forty long winters thus I have been,A silly blind beggar of Bednall Green."Now when the company every oneDid hear the strange tale he told in his song,110They were amazed, as well as they might be,Both at the blind beggar and pretty Bessee.With that the fair bride they all bid embrace,Saying, "You are come of an honourable race;Thy father likewise is of high degree,115And thou art right worthy a lady to be."Thus was the feast ended with joy and delight;A happy bridegroom was made the young knight,Who lived in great joy and felicity,With his fair lady, dear pretty Bessee.120
Of a blind beggars daughter so bright,That late was betrothed to a young knight,All the whole discourse therof you did see,But now comes the wedding of pretty Bessee.
It was in a gallant palace most brave,5Adorned with all the cost they could have,This wedding it was kept most sumptuously,And all for the love of pretty Bessee.
And all kind of dainties and delicates sweetWas brought to their banquet, as it was thought meet;10Partridge, and plover, and venison most free,Against the brave wedding of pretty Bessee.
The wedding thro' England was spread by report,So that a great number thereto did resort,Of nobles and gentles of every degree,15And all for the fame of pretty Bessee.
To church then away went this gallant young knight,His bride followed after, an angel most bright,With troops of ladies, the like was ne'er seen,As went with sweet Bessee of Bednall Green.20
This wedding being solemnized then,With music performed by skilfullest men,The nobles andgentles sat down at that tide,Each one beholding the beautiful bride.
But after the sumptuous dinner was done,25To talk and to reason a number begun,And of the Blind Beggars daughter most bright,And what with his daughter he gave to the knight.
Then spoke the nobles, "Much marvel have weThis jolly blind beggar we cannot yet see!"30"My lords," quoth the bride, "my father so baseIs loathe with his presence these states to disgrace."
"The praise of a woman in question to bring,Before her own face, is a flattering thing;But we think thy fathers baseness," quoth they,35"Might by thy beauty be clean put away."
They no sooner this pleasant word spoke,But in comes the beggar in a silken cloak,A velvet cap and a feather had he,And now a musician, forsooth, he would be.40
And being led in, from catching of harm,He had a dainty lute under his arm;Said, "Please you to hear any music of me,A song I will give you of pretty Bessee."
With that his lute he twanged straightway,45And thereon began most sweetly to play,And after a lesson was played two or three,He strained out this song most delicately:—
"A beggars daughter did dwell on a green,Who for her beautymightwell be a queen,50A blythe bonny lass, and dainty was she,And many one called her pretty Bessee.
"Her father he had no goods nor no lands,But begged for a penny all day with his hands,And yet for her marriage gave thousands three,55Yet still he hath somewhat for pretty Bessee.
"And here if any one do her disdain,Her father is ready with might and with main,To prove she is come of noble degree,Therefore let none flout at my pretty Bessee."60
With that the lords and the company roundWith a hearty laughter were ready to swound;At last said the lords, "Full well we may see,The bride and the bridegroom's beholden to thee."
With that the fair bride all blushing did rise,65With chrystal water all in her bright eyes;"Pardon my father, brave nobles," quoth she,"That through blind affection thus doats upon me."
"If this be thy father," the nobles did say,"Well may he be proud of this happy day,70Yet by his countenance well may we see,His birth with his fortune could never agree.
"And therefore, blind beggar, we pray thee bewray,Andlook that the truth to usthou dost say,Thy birth and thy parentage what it may be,75E'en for the love thou bearest to pretty Bessee."
"Then give me leave, ye gentles each one,A song more to sing and then I'll begone;And if that I do not win good report,Then do not give me one groat for my sport:—80
"When first our king his fame did advance,And sought his title in delicate France,In many places great perils past he,But then was not born my pretty Bessee.
"And at those wars went over to fight,85Many a brave duke, a lord, and a knight,And with them young Monford of courage so free,But then was not born my pretty Bessee.
"And there did young Monford with a blow on the faceLose both his eyes in a very short space;90His life had been gone away with his sight,Had not a young woman gone forth in the night.
"Among theslain men, her fancy did moveTo search and to seek for her own true love,Who seeing young Monford there gasping to die,95She saved his life through her charity.
"And then all our victuals in beggars attire,At the hands of good people we then did require;At last into England, as now it is seen,We came, and remained in Bednall Green.100
"And thus we have lived in Fortune's despyght,Though poor, yet contented, with humble delight,And in my old years, a comfort to me,God sent me a daughter, called pretty Bessee.
"And thus, ye nobles, my song I do end,105Hoping by the same no man to offend;Full forty long winters thus I have been,A silly blind beggar of Bednall Green."
Now when the company every oneDid hear the strange tale he told in his song,110They were amazed, as well as they might be,Both at the blind beggar and pretty Bessee.
With that the fair bride they all bid embrace,Saying, "You are come of an honourable race;Thy father likewise is of high degree,115And thou art right worthy a lady to be."
Thus was the feast ended with joy and delight;A happy bridegroom was made the young knight,Who lived in great joy and felicity,With his fair lady, dear pretty Bessee.120
1-4. This stanza is wrongly placed at the end of the First Part in the copy from which we reprint. In ed. 1723 it does not occur. v. 3. therof you did, Percy, for,therefore you may.23. gentlemen down at the side.50. may.74. look to us then the truth.93. said men.
1-4. This stanza is wrongly placed at the end of the First Part in the copy from which we reprint. In ed. 1723 it does not occur. v. 3. therof you did, Percy, for,therefore you may.
23. gentlemen down at the side.
50. may.
74. look to us then the truth.
93. said men.
FromA Collection of Old Ballads, i. 216. Percy's edition, (iii. 126,) was from a written copy, "containing some improvements, (perhaps modern ones.") Mr. Kinloch has printed a fragment of this piece in its Scottish dress, as taken down from the recitation of an old woman in Lanark,—Sweet Willie, p. 96. Several of the verses in the following are found also inThe Lament of the Border Widow; seeante, iii. 86.
A similar story is found in Swedish and Danish:Liten Kerstin, orStolts Botelid, Stalldräng, Svenska Folk-Visor, ii. 15, 20, Arwidsson, ii. 179:Stolt Ingeborgs Forklædning, Danske Viser, No. 184.
You beauteous ladies, great and small,I write unto you one and all,Whereby that you may understandWhat I have suffer'd in this land.I was by birth a lady fair,5My father's chief and only heir,But when my good old father died,Then I was made a young knight's bride.And then my love built me a bower,Bedeck'd with many a fragrant flower;10A braver bower you ne'er did see,Than my true love did build for me.But there came thieves late in the night,They robb'd my bower, and slew my knight,And after that my knight was slain,15I could no longer there remain.My servants all from me did fly,In the midst of my extremity,And left me by myself alone,With a heart more cold than any stone.20Yet, though my heart was full of care,Heaven would not suffer me to despair;Wherefore in haste I chang'd my nameFrom Fair Elise to Sweet William.And therewithall I cut my hair,25And dress'd myself in man's attire,My doublet, hose, and beaver hat,And a golden band about my neck.With a silver rapier by my side,So like a gallant I did ride;30The thing that I delighted on,It was to be a serving-man.Thus in my sumptuous man's arrayI bravely rode along the way;And at the last it chanced so,35That I to the king's court did go.Then to the king I bow'd full low,My love and duty for to show;And so much favour I did crave,That I a serving-man's place might have.40"Stand up, brave youth," the king replied,"Thy service shall not be denied;But tell me first what thou canst do;Thou shalt be fitted thereunto."Wilt thou be usher of my hall,45To wait upon my nobles all?Or wilt thou be taster of my wine,To wait on me when I do dine?"Or wilt thou be my chamberlain,To make my bed both soft and fine?50Or wilt thou be one of my guard?And I will give thee thy reward."Sweet William, with a smiling face,Said to the king, "If't please your graceTo show such favour unto me,55Your chamberlain I fain would be."The king then did the nobles call,To ask the counsel of them all;Who gave consent Sweet William heThe king's own chamberlain should be.60Now mark what strange thing came to pass:As the king one day a hunting was,With all his lords and noble train,Sweet William did at home remain.Sweet William had no company then65With him at home, but an old man;And when he saw the house was clear,He took a lute which he had there:Upon the lute Sweet William play'd,And to the same he sung and said,70With a sweet and noble voice,Which made the old man to rejoice:"My father was as brave a lordAs ever Europe did afford,My mother was a lady bright,75My husband was a valiant knight:"And I myself a lady gay,Bedeck'd with gorgeous rich array;The bravest lady in the landHad not more pleasure at command.80"I had my music every day,Harmonious lessons for to play;I had my virgins fair and free,Continually to wait on me."But now, alas! my husband's dead,85And all my friends are from me fled;My former joys are pass'd and gone,For I am now a serving-man."At last the king from hunting came,And presently, upon the same,90He called for this good old man,And thus to speak the king began:"What news, what news, old man?" quoth he;"What news hast thou to tell to me?""Brave news," the old man he did say,95"Sweet William is a lady gay.""If this be true thou tell'st to meI'll make thee lord of high degree;But if thy words do prove a lie,Thou shall be hang'd up presently."100But when the king the truth had found,His joys did more and more abound:According as the old man did say,Sweet William was a lady gay.Therefore the king without delay105Put on her glorious rich array,And upon her head a crown of gold,Which was most famous to behold.And then, for fear of further strife,He took Sweet William for his wife:110The like before was never seen,—A serving-man to be a queen.
You beauteous ladies, great and small,I write unto you one and all,Whereby that you may understandWhat I have suffer'd in this land.
I was by birth a lady fair,5My father's chief and only heir,But when my good old father died,Then I was made a young knight's bride.
And then my love built me a bower,Bedeck'd with many a fragrant flower;10A braver bower you ne'er did see,Than my true love did build for me.
But there came thieves late in the night,They robb'd my bower, and slew my knight,And after that my knight was slain,15I could no longer there remain.
My servants all from me did fly,In the midst of my extremity,And left me by myself alone,With a heart more cold than any stone.20
Yet, though my heart was full of care,Heaven would not suffer me to despair;Wherefore in haste I chang'd my nameFrom Fair Elise to Sweet William.
And therewithall I cut my hair,25And dress'd myself in man's attire,My doublet, hose, and beaver hat,And a golden band about my neck.
With a silver rapier by my side,So like a gallant I did ride;30The thing that I delighted on,It was to be a serving-man.
Thus in my sumptuous man's arrayI bravely rode along the way;And at the last it chanced so,35That I to the king's court did go.
Then to the king I bow'd full low,My love and duty for to show;And so much favour I did crave,That I a serving-man's place might have.40
"Stand up, brave youth," the king replied,"Thy service shall not be denied;But tell me first what thou canst do;Thou shalt be fitted thereunto.
"Wilt thou be usher of my hall,45To wait upon my nobles all?Or wilt thou be taster of my wine,To wait on me when I do dine?
"Or wilt thou be my chamberlain,To make my bed both soft and fine?50Or wilt thou be one of my guard?And I will give thee thy reward."
Sweet William, with a smiling face,Said to the king, "If't please your graceTo show such favour unto me,55Your chamberlain I fain would be."
The king then did the nobles call,To ask the counsel of them all;Who gave consent Sweet William heThe king's own chamberlain should be.60
Now mark what strange thing came to pass:As the king one day a hunting was,With all his lords and noble train,Sweet William did at home remain.
Sweet William had no company then65With him at home, but an old man;And when he saw the house was clear,He took a lute which he had there:
Upon the lute Sweet William play'd,And to the same he sung and said,70With a sweet and noble voice,Which made the old man to rejoice:
"My father was as brave a lordAs ever Europe did afford,My mother was a lady bright,75My husband was a valiant knight:
"And I myself a lady gay,Bedeck'd with gorgeous rich array;The bravest lady in the landHad not more pleasure at command.80
"I had my music every day,Harmonious lessons for to play;I had my virgins fair and free,Continually to wait on me.
"But now, alas! my husband's dead,85And all my friends are from me fled;My former joys are pass'd and gone,For I am now a serving-man."
At last the king from hunting came,And presently, upon the same,90He called for this good old man,And thus to speak the king began:
"What news, what news, old man?" quoth he;"What news hast thou to tell to me?""Brave news," the old man he did say,95"Sweet William is a lady gay."
"If this be true thou tell'st to meI'll make thee lord of high degree;But if thy words do prove a lie,Thou shall be hang'd up presently."100
But when the king the truth had found,His joys did more and more abound:According as the old man did say,Sweet William was a lady gay.
Therefore the king without delay105Put on her glorious rich array,And upon her head a crown of gold,Which was most famous to behold.
And then, for fear of further strife,He took Sweet William for his wife:110The like before was never seen,—A serving-man to be a queen.
Ritson's Ancient Songs and Ballads, ii. 75.
Preserved in Thomas Deloney'sHistory of Jack of Newbery, whence it was extracted by Ritson. In that extraordinary book,The Minstrelsy of the English Border, (p. 201,) Ritson's copy is inserted without acknowledgment, and with a few alterations for the worse. Scottish versions of this ballad are given by Kinloch, (The Provost's Dochter, p. 131,) and by Buchan, (The Betrayed Lady, ii. 208.) The former of these is printed in our Appendix.
It was a Knight in Scotland born,Follow, my love, come over the strand,Was taken prisoner, and left forlorn,Even by the good Earl of Northumberland.Then was he cast in prison strong,5Follow, my love, 'come' over the strand,Where he could not walk nor lye along,Even by the good Earl of Northumberland.And as in sorrow thus he lay,Follow, my love, come over the strand,10The Earl [s] sweet daughter walks that way,And she is the fair Flower of Northumberland.And passing by like an angel bright,Follow, my love, come over the strand,The prisoner had of her a sight,15And she the fair Flower of Northumberland.And aloud to her this knight did cry,Follow, my love, come over the strand,The salt tears standing in his eye,And she the fair Flower of Northumberland."Fair lady," he said, "take pity on me,21Follow, my love, come over the strand,And let me not in prison die,And you the fair Flower of Northumberland.""Fair Sir, how should I take pity on thee,25Follow, my love, come over the strand,Thou being a foe to our country,And I the fair Flower of Northumberland.""Fair lady, I am no foe," he said,Follow, my love, come over the strand,30"Through thy sweet love here was I stay'd,For thee, the fair Flower of Northumberland.""Why shouldst thou come here for love of me,Follow, my love, come over the strand,Having wife and children in thy country,35And I the fair Flower of Northumberland.""I swear by the blessed Trinity,Follow, my love, come over the strand,I have no wife nor children, I,Nor dwelling at home in merry Scotland.40"If courteously thou wilt set me free,Follow, my love, come over the strand,I vow that I will marry thee,So soon as I come in fair Scotland."Thou shalt be a lady of castles and towers,45Follow, my love, come over the strand,And sit like a queen in princely bowers,Were I at home in fair Scotland."Then parted hence this lady gay,Follow, my love, come over the strand,50And got her fathers ring away,To help this knight into fair Scotland.Likewise much gold she got by sleight,Follow, my love, come over the strand,And all to help this forlorn knight,55To wend from her father to fair Scotland.Two gallant steeds, both good and able,Follow, my love, come over the strand,She likewise took out of the stable,To ride with the knight into fair Scotland.60And to the jaylor she sent this ring,Follow, my love, come over the strand,The knight from prison forth 'to' bring,To wend with her into fair Scotland.This token set the prisoner free,65Follow, my love, come over the strand,Who straight went to this fair lady,To wend with her into fair Scotland.A gallant steed he did bestride,Follow, my love, come over the strand,70And with the lady away did ride,And she the fair Flower of Northumberland.They rode till they came to a water clear,Follow, my love, come over the strand,"Good Sir, how should I follow you here,75And I the fair Flower of Northumberland?"The water is rough and wonderful deep,Follow, my love, come over the strand,And on my saddle I shall not keep,And I the fair Flower of Northumberland."80"Fear not the foard, fair lady," quoth he,Follow, my love, come over the strand,"For long I cannot stay for thee,And thou the fair Flower of Northumberland."The lady prickt her wanton steed,85Follow, my love, come over the strand,And over the river swom with speed,And she the fair Flower of Northumberland.From top to toe all wet was she,Follow, my love, come over the strand;90"Thus have I done for love of thee,And I the fair Flower of Northumberland."Thus rode she all one winters night,Follow, my love, come over the strand,Till Edenborough they saw in sight,95The fairest town in all Scotland."Now chuse," quoth he, "thou wanton flower,Follow, my love, come over the strand,'Whether' thou wilt be my paramour,Or get thee home to Northumberland.100"For I have wife, and children five,Follow, my love, come over the strand;In Edenborough they be alive,Then get thee home to fair England."This favour thou shalt have to boot,105Follow, my love, come over the strand;I'le have 'thy' horse, go thou on foot,Go, get thee home to Northumberland.""O false and faithless knight," quoth she,Follow, my love, come over the strand,110"And canst thou deal so bad with me,And I the fair Flower of Northumberland?"Dishonour not a ladies name,Follow, my love, come over the strand,But draw thy sword and end my shame,115And I the fair Flower of Northumberland."He took her from her stately steed,Follow, my love, come over the strand,And left her there in extream need,And she the fair Flower of Northumberland.120Then sat she down full heavily,Follow, my love, come over the strand;At length two knights came riding by,Two gallant knights of fair England.She fell down humbly on her knee,125Follow, my love, come over the strand,Saying, "Courteous 'knights,' take pity on me,And I the fair Flower of Northumberland."I have offended my father dear,Follow, my love, come over the strand,130And by a false knight, who brought me hereFrom the good Earl of Northumberland."They took her up behind them thenFollow, my love, come over the strand,And brought her to her father again,135And he the good Earl of Northumberland.All you fair maidens be warned by me,Follow, my love, come over the strand,Scots never were true, nor never will be,To lord, nor lady, nor fair England.140
It was a Knight in Scotland born,Follow, my love, come over the strand,Was taken prisoner, and left forlorn,Even by the good Earl of Northumberland.
Then was he cast in prison strong,5Follow, my love, 'come' over the strand,Where he could not walk nor lye along,Even by the good Earl of Northumberland.
And as in sorrow thus he lay,Follow, my love, come over the strand,10The Earl [s] sweet daughter walks that way,And she is the fair Flower of Northumberland.
And passing by like an angel bright,Follow, my love, come over the strand,The prisoner had of her a sight,15And she the fair Flower of Northumberland.
And aloud to her this knight did cry,Follow, my love, come over the strand,The salt tears standing in his eye,And she the fair Flower of Northumberland.
"Fair lady," he said, "take pity on me,21Follow, my love, come over the strand,And let me not in prison die,And you the fair Flower of Northumberland."
"Fair Sir, how should I take pity on thee,25Follow, my love, come over the strand,Thou being a foe to our country,And I the fair Flower of Northumberland."
"Fair lady, I am no foe," he said,Follow, my love, come over the strand,30"Through thy sweet love here was I stay'd,For thee, the fair Flower of Northumberland."
"Why shouldst thou come here for love of me,Follow, my love, come over the strand,Having wife and children in thy country,35And I the fair Flower of Northumberland."
"I swear by the blessed Trinity,Follow, my love, come over the strand,I have no wife nor children, I,Nor dwelling at home in merry Scotland.40
"If courteously thou wilt set me free,Follow, my love, come over the strand,I vow that I will marry thee,So soon as I come in fair Scotland.
"Thou shalt be a lady of castles and towers,45Follow, my love, come over the strand,And sit like a queen in princely bowers,Were I at home in fair Scotland."
Then parted hence this lady gay,Follow, my love, come over the strand,50And got her fathers ring away,To help this knight into fair Scotland.
Likewise much gold she got by sleight,Follow, my love, come over the strand,And all to help this forlorn knight,55To wend from her father to fair Scotland.
Two gallant steeds, both good and able,Follow, my love, come over the strand,She likewise took out of the stable,To ride with the knight into fair Scotland.60
And to the jaylor she sent this ring,Follow, my love, come over the strand,The knight from prison forth 'to' bring,To wend with her into fair Scotland.
This token set the prisoner free,65Follow, my love, come over the strand,Who straight went to this fair lady,To wend with her into fair Scotland.
A gallant steed he did bestride,Follow, my love, come over the strand,70And with the lady away did ride,And she the fair Flower of Northumberland.
They rode till they came to a water clear,Follow, my love, come over the strand,"Good Sir, how should I follow you here,75And I the fair Flower of Northumberland?
"The water is rough and wonderful deep,Follow, my love, come over the strand,And on my saddle I shall not keep,And I the fair Flower of Northumberland."80
"Fear not the foard, fair lady," quoth he,Follow, my love, come over the strand,"For long I cannot stay for thee,And thou the fair Flower of Northumberland."
The lady prickt her wanton steed,85Follow, my love, come over the strand,And over the river swom with speed,And she the fair Flower of Northumberland.
From top to toe all wet was she,Follow, my love, come over the strand;90"Thus have I done for love of thee,And I the fair Flower of Northumberland."
Thus rode she all one winters night,Follow, my love, come over the strand,Till Edenborough they saw in sight,95The fairest town in all Scotland.
"Now chuse," quoth he, "thou wanton flower,Follow, my love, come over the strand,'Whether' thou wilt be my paramour,Or get thee home to Northumberland.100
"For I have wife, and children five,Follow, my love, come over the strand;In Edenborough they be alive,Then get thee home to fair England.
"This favour thou shalt have to boot,105Follow, my love, come over the strand;I'le have 'thy' horse, go thou on foot,Go, get thee home to Northumberland."
"O false and faithless knight," quoth she,Follow, my love, come over the strand,110"And canst thou deal so bad with me,And I the fair Flower of Northumberland?
"Dishonour not a ladies name,Follow, my love, come over the strand,But draw thy sword and end my shame,115And I the fair Flower of Northumberland."
He took her from her stately steed,Follow, my love, come over the strand,And left her there in extream need,And she the fair Flower of Northumberland.120
Then sat she down full heavily,Follow, my love, come over the strand;At length two knights came riding by,Two gallant knights of fair England.
She fell down humbly on her knee,125Follow, my love, come over the strand,Saying, "Courteous 'knights,' take pity on me,And I the fair Flower of Northumberland.
"I have offended my father dear,Follow, my love, come over the strand,130And by a false knight, who brought me hereFrom the good Earl of Northumberland."
They took her up behind them thenFollow, my love, come over the strand,And brought her to her father again,135And he the good Earl of Northumberland.
All you fair maidens be warned by me,Follow, my love, come over the strand,Scots never were true, nor never will be,To lord, nor lady, nor fair England.140
FromReliques of Ancient English Poetry, ii. 82.
"The scene of this beautiful old ballad is laid near Walsingham, in Norfolk, where was anciently an image of the Virgin Mary, famous over all Europe for the numerous pilgrimages made to it, and the great riches it possessed. Erasmus has given a very exact and humorous description of the superstitions practised there in his time. See his account of the Virgo Parathalassia, in his colloquy entitled,Peregrinatio Religionis Ergo. He tells us, the rich offerings in silver, gold, and precious stones that were there shown him were incredible, there being scarce a person of any note in England, but what some time or other paid a visit or sent a present to Our Lady of Walsingham. At the dissolution of the monasteries in 1538, this splendid image, with another from Ipswich, was carried to Chelsea, and there burnt in the presence of commissioners; who, we trust, did not burn the jewels and the finery.
"This poem is printed from a copy in the Editor's folio MS. which had greatly suffered by the hand of time; but vestiges of several of the lines remaining, some conjectural supplements have been attempted, which, for greater exactness, are in this one ballad distinguished by italics."Percy.