FOOTNOTES:[66]Ver. 1. Bruite his, MS.[67][heathendom.][68][born.][69][V. 6. borne, MS.][70]V. 9. He began his reignA.D.515, according to the Chronicles.[71][V. 16. sit, MS.][72][V. 19. all nations, MS.][73][pronounced "Tintadgell;" the remains of the castle still exist on the north coast of Cornwall.][74]V. 23. She is named Igerna in the old Chronicles.[75]V. 24. his, MS.[76][Ver. 31-2.And then I conquered througe manly feats,All Scottlande with my hands, MS.][77]V. 39. Froland feild, MS. Froll, according to the Chronicles, was a Roman knight governor of Gaul.[78]V. 41. Danibus, MS.[79][Pagans.][80]V. 49. of Pavye, MS.[81][V. 49-52. this stanza occurs after v. 36 in the MS.][82][Ver. 69. and when at Sandwich I did land.][83][V. 74. on that.][84][V. 75. that Sir Lancelott.][85][V. 80. he tooke. MS.][86][Ver. 83. Wherby appointed.][87][V. 84. was agreed.][88][V. 85-6.Where wee did fight soe mortallyeOf live eche other to deprive.][89][V. 92. upon.][90]V. 92. perhaps fates.[91][V. 96 is the end of the first part in the MS., the stanzaKing Arthur lived King 22 yeerein honor and great fameand thus by death suddenlyewas deprived from the sameends the second part, which is printed by Percy asKing Arthur'sdeath, see previous ballad.]
[66]Ver. 1. Bruite his, MS.
[66]Ver. 1. Bruite his, MS.
[67][heathendom.]
[67][heathendom.]
[68][born.]
[68][born.]
[69][V. 6. borne, MS.]
[69][V. 6. borne, MS.]
[70]V. 9. He began his reignA.D.515, according to the Chronicles.
[70]V. 9. He began his reignA.D.515, according to the Chronicles.
[71][V. 16. sit, MS.]
[71][V. 16. sit, MS.]
[72][V. 19. all nations, MS.]
[72][V. 19. all nations, MS.]
[73][pronounced "Tintadgell;" the remains of the castle still exist on the north coast of Cornwall.]
[73][pronounced "Tintadgell;" the remains of the castle still exist on the north coast of Cornwall.]
[74]V. 23. She is named Igerna in the old Chronicles.
[74]V. 23. She is named Igerna in the old Chronicles.
[75]V. 24. his, MS.
[75]V. 24. his, MS.
[76][Ver. 31-2.And then I conquered througe manly feats,All Scottlande with my hands, MS.]
[76][Ver. 31-2.
And then I conquered througe manly feats,All Scottlande with my hands, MS.]
And then I conquered througe manly feats,All Scottlande with my hands, MS.]
[77]V. 39. Froland feild, MS. Froll, according to the Chronicles, was a Roman knight governor of Gaul.
[77]V. 39. Froland feild, MS. Froll, according to the Chronicles, was a Roman knight governor of Gaul.
[78]V. 41. Danibus, MS.
[78]V. 41. Danibus, MS.
[79][Pagans.]
[79][Pagans.]
[80]V. 49. of Pavye, MS.
[80]V. 49. of Pavye, MS.
[81][V. 49-52. this stanza occurs after v. 36 in the MS.]
[81][V. 49-52. this stanza occurs after v. 36 in the MS.]
[82][Ver. 69. and when at Sandwich I did land.]
[82][Ver. 69. and when at Sandwich I did land.]
[83][V. 74. on that.]
[83][V. 74. on that.]
[84][V. 75. that Sir Lancelott.]
[84][V. 75. that Sir Lancelott.]
[85][V. 80. he tooke. MS.]
[85][V. 80. he tooke. MS.]
[86][Ver. 83. Wherby appointed.]
[86][Ver. 83. Wherby appointed.]
[87][V. 84. was agreed.]
[87][V. 84. was agreed.]
[88][V. 85-6.Where wee did fight soe mortallyeOf live eche other to deprive.]
[88][V. 85-6.
Where wee did fight soe mortallyeOf live eche other to deprive.]
Where wee did fight soe mortallyeOf live eche other to deprive.]
[89][V. 92. upon.]
[89][V. 92. upon.]
[90]V. 92. perhaps fates.
[90]V. 92. perhaps fates.
[91][V. 96 is the end of the first part in the MS., the stanzaKing Arthur lived King 22 yeerein honor and great fameand thus by death suddenlyewas deprived from the sameends the second part, which is printed by Percy asKing Arthur'sdeath, see previous ballad.]
[91][V. 96 is the end of the first part in the MS., the stanza
King Arthur lived King 22 yeerein honor and great fameand thus by death suddenlyewas deprived from the same
King Arthur lived King 22 yeerein honor and great fameand thus by death suddenlyewas deprived from the same
ends the second part, which is printed by Percy asKing Arthur'sdeath, see previous ballad.]
Copied from an old MS. in the Cotton Library [British Museum] (Vesp. A. xxv. fol. 170), intitled, "Divers things of Hen. viij's time."
Who sekes to tame the blustering winde,Or causse the floods bend to his wyll,Or els against dame nature's kindeTo "change" things frame by cunning skyll:[92]That man I thinke bestoweth paine,5Thoughe that his laboure be in vaine.Who strives to breake the sturdye steele,Or goeth about to staye the sunne;Who thinks to causse an oke to reele,Which never can by force be done:10That man likewise bestoweth paine,Thoughe that his laboure be in vaine.Who thinks to stryve against the streame,And for to sayle without a maste;Unlesse he thinks perhapps to faine,15His travell ys forelorne and waste;And so in cure of all his paine,His travell ys his cheffest gaine.So he lykewise, that goes aboutTo please eche eye and every eare,Had nede to have withouten doubtA golden gyft with hym to beare;For evyll report shall be his gaine,Though he bestowe both toyle and paine.God grant eche man one to amend;25God send us all a happy place;And let us pray unto the end,That we may have our princes grace:Amen, Amen! so shall we gaineA dewe reward for all our paine.30
Who sekes to tame the blustering winde,Or causse the floods bend to his wyll,Or els against dame nature's kindeTo "change" things frame by cunning skyll:[92]That man I thinke bestoweth paine,5Thoughe that his laboure be in vaine.
Who strives to breake the sturdye steele,Or goeth about to staye the sunne;Who thinks to causse an oke to reele,Which never can by force be done:10That man likewise bestoweth paine,Thoughe that his laboure be in vaine.
Who thinks to stryve against the streame,And for to sayle without a maste;Unlesse he thinks perhapps to faine,15His travell ys forelorne and waste;And so in cure of all his paine,His travell ys his cheffest gaine.
So he lykewise, that goes aboutTo please eche eye and every eare,Had nede to have withouten doubtA golden gyft with hym to beare;For evyll report shall be his gaine,Though he bestowe both toyle and paine.
God grant eche man one to amend;25God send us all a happy place;And let us pray unto the end,That we may have our princes grace:Amen, Amen! so shall we gaineA dewe reward for all our paine.30
FOOTNOTES:[92]Ver. 4. causse, MS.
[92]Ver. 4. causse, MS.
[92]Ver. 4. causse, MS.
Aningenious Friend thinks that the following old Ditty (which is printed from the Editor's folio MS.) may possibly have given birth to the Tragedy of theOrphan, in which Polidore intercepts Monimia's intended favours to Castalio.
See what is said concerning the hero of this song, (who is celebrated byChaucerunder the name ofGlaskyrion) in the Essay affixed to vol. i. note H. pt. iv. (2).
[The hero of this ballad is the same as "gret Glascurion," placed by Chaucer in theHouse of Fameby the side of Orpheus, and also associated with Orpheus by Gawain Douglas in thePalice of Honour. Percy's note in the Folio MS. is "It was not necessary to correct this much for the press;" (ed. Hales and Furnivall, vol. i. p. 246). It will be seen, however, by the collations at the foot of the page that several corrections were made, not always for the better. Thus ver. 96, "who did his ladye grieve," is certainly weaker than the original,—
[The hero of this ballad is the same as "gret Glascurion," placed by Chaucer in theHouse of Fameby the side of Orpheus, and also associated with Orpheus by Gawain Douglas in thePalice of Honour. Percy's note in the Folio MS. is "It was not necessary to correct this much for the press;" (ed. Hales and Furnivall, vol. i. p. 246). It will be seen, however, by the collations at the foot of the page that several corrections were made, not always for the better. Thus ver. 96, "who did his ladye grieve," is certainly weaker than the original,—
"And asked noe man noe leave."
"And asked noe man noe leave."
Jamieson (Popular Ballads, 1806, vol. i. p. 91) prints an inferior version under the name ofGlenkindie. Mr. Hale points out, however, that "the Scotch version is more perfect in one point—in the test question put to the page before the assignation is disclosed to him:—
Jamieson (Popular Ballads, 1806, vol. i. p. 91) prints an inferior version under the name ofGlenkindie. Mr. Hale points out, however, that "the Scotch version is more perfect in one point—in the test question put to the page before the assignation is disclosed to him:—
'O mith I tell you, Gib my man,Gin I a man had slain?'
'O mith I tell you, Gib my man,Gin I a man had slain?'
Some such question perhaps would give more force to vv. 85-88 of our version." He also very justly observes, "perhaps there is no ballad that represents more keenly the great gulf fixed between churl and noble—a profounder horror at the crossing over it."]
Some such question perhaps would give more force to vv. 85-88 of our version." He also very justly observes, "perhaps there is no ballad that represents more keenly the great gulf fixed between churl and noble—a profounder horror at the crossing over it."]
Glasgerion was a kings owne sonne,And a harper he was goode:He harped in the kinges chambere,Where cuppe and candle stoode.[93]And soe did hee in the queens chamber,5Till ladies waxed "glad."[94]And then bespake the kinges daughter;And these wordes thus shee sayd.[95]Strike on, strike on, Glasgèrion,[96]Of thy striking doe not blinne:[97]10Theres never a stroke comes oer thy harpe,[98]But it glads my hart withinne.Faire might he fall,[99]ladye, quoth hee,[100]Who taught you nowe to speake!I have loved you, ladye, seven longe yeere[101]15My minde I neere durst breake.[102]But come to my bower, my Glasgèrion,When all men are att rest:As I am a ladie true of my promise,Thou shalt bee a welcome guest.20Home then came Glasgèrion,[103]A glad man, lord! was hee.And, come thou hither, Jacke my boy;Come hither unto mee.[104]For the kinges daughter of Normandye25Hath granted mee my boone:And att her chambere must I beeBeffore the cocke have crowen.O master, master, then quoth hee,[105]Lay your head downe on this stone:30For I will waken you, master deere,Afore it be time to gone.But up then rose that lither[106]ladd,And hose and shoone did on:[107]A coller he cast upon his necke,35Hee seemed a gentleman.And when he came to the ladies chamber,He thrild upon a pinn.[108]The lady was true of her promise,Rose up and lett him in.40He did not take the lady gayeTo boulster nor to bed:[109]"Nor thoughe hee had his wicked wille,[110]"A single word he sed."[110]He did not kisse that ladyes mouthe,[111]45Nor when he came, nor youd:[112][113]And sore mistrusted that ladye gay,He was of some churls bloud.But home then came that lither ladd,And did off his hose and shoone;50And cast the coller from off his necke:[114]He was but a churlès sonne.Awake, awake, my deere master,[115][The cock hath well-nigh crowen.[116]Awake, awake, my master deere,][116]55I hold it time to be gone.For I have saddled your horsse, mastèr,Well bridled I have your steede:And I have served you a good breakfast:[117]For thereof ye have need.[118]60Up then rose, good Glasgeriòn,[119]And did on hose and shoone;And cast a coller about his necke:For he was a kinge his sonne.[120]And when he came to the ladyes chamber,[121]65He thrild upon the pinne:[122]The ladye was more than true of promise,And rose and let him in.[123]Saies, whether have you left with meYour bracelett or your glove?70Or are you returned backe againe[124]To know more of my love?Glasgèrion swore a full great otheBy oake, and ashe, and thorne;Lady, I was never in your chambèr.75Sith the time that I was borne.O then it was your lither foot-page,[125]He hath beguiled mee.[126]Then shee pulled forth a little pen-kniffe,[127]That hanged by her knee:80Sayes, there shall never noe churlès bloodWithin my bodye spring:[128][No churlès blood shall ever defile[129]The daughter of a kinge.][129]Home then went Glasgèrion,[130]85And woe, good lord, was hee.[131]Sayes, come thou hither, Jacke my boy,[132]Come hither unto mee.[133]If I had killed a man to night,[134]Jacke, I would tell it thee:90But if I have not killed a man to nightJacke, thou hast killed three.And he puld out his bright browne sword,And dryed it on his sleeve,And he smote off that lither ladds head,95Who did his ladye grieve.[135]He sett the swords poynt till his brest,The pummil untill a stone:[136]Throw the falsenesse of that lither ladd,These three lives werne all gone.100
Glasgerion was a kings owne sonne,And a harper he was goode:He harped in the kinges chambere,Where cuppe and candle stoode.[93]
And soe did hee in the queens chamber,5Till ladies waxed "glad."[94]And then bespake the kinges daughter;And these wordes thus shee sayd.[95]
Strike on, strike on, Glasgèrion,[96]Of thy striking doe not blinne:[97]10Theres never a stroke comes oer thy harpe,[98]But it glads my hart withinne.
Faire might he fall,[99]ladye, quoth hee,[100]Who taught you nowe to speake!I have loved you, ladye, seven longe yeere[101]15My minde I neere durst breake.[102]
But come to my bower, my Glasgèrion,When all men are att rest:As I am a ladie true of my promise,Thou shalt bee a welcome guest.20
Home then came Glasgèrion,[103]A glad man, lord! was hee.And, come thou hither, Jacke my boy;Come hither unto mee.[104]
For the kinges daughter of Normandye25Hath granted mee my boone:And att her chambere must I beeBeffore the cocke have crowen.
O master, master, then quoth hee,[105]Lay your head downe on this stone:30For I will waken you, master deere,Afore it be time to gone.
But up then rose that lither[106]ladd,And hose and shoone did on:[107]A coller he cast upon his necke,35Hee seemed a gentleman.
And when he came to the ladies chamber,He thrild upon a pinn.[108]The lady was true of her promise,Rose up and lett him in.40
He did not take the lady gayeTo boulster nor to bed:[109]"Nor thoughe hee had his wicked wille,[110]"A single word he sed."[110]
He did not kisse that ladyes mouthe,[111]45Nor when he came, nor youd:[112][113]And sore mistrusted that ladye gay,He was of some churls bloud.
But home then came that lither ladd,And did off his hose and shoone;50And cast the coller from off his necke:[114]He was but a churlès sonne.
Awake, awake, my deere master,[115][The cock hath well-nigh crowen.[116]Awake, awake, my master deere,][116]55I hold it time to be gone.
For I have saddled your horsse, mastèr,Well bridled I have your steede:And I have served you a good breakfast:[117]For thereof ye have need.[118]60
Up then rose, good Glasgeriòn,[119]And did on hose and shoone;And cast a coller about his necke:For he was a kinge his sonne.[120]
And when he came to the ladyes chamber,[121]65He thrild upon the pinne:[122]The ladye was more than true of promise,And rose and let him in.[123]
Saies, whether have you left with meYour bracelett or your glove?70Or are you returned backe againe[124]To know more of my love?
Glasgèrion swore a full great otheBy oake, and ashe, and thorne;Lady, I was never in your chambèr.75Sith the time that I was borne.
O then it was your lither foot-page,[125]He hath beguiled mee.[126]Then shee pulled forth a little pen-kniffe,[127]That hanged by her knee:80
Sayes, there shall never noe churlès bloodWithin my bodye spring:[128][No churlès blood shall ever defile[129]The daughter of a kinge.][129]
Home then went Glasgèrion,[130]85And woe, good lord, was hee.[131]Sayes, come thou hither, Jacke my boy,[132]Come hither unto mee.[133]
If I had killed a man to night,[134]Jacke, I would tell it thee:90But if I have not killed a man to nightJacke, thou hast killed three.
And he puld out his bright browne sword,And dryed it on his sleeve,And he smote off that lither ladds head,95Who did his ladye grieve.[135]
He sett the swords poynt till his brest,The pummil untill a stone:[136]Throw the falsenesse of that lither ladd,These three lives werne all gone.100
FOOTNOTES:[93][Ver. 4. where cappe and candle yoode, MS.][94]V. 6. wood, MS.[95][V. 8. sayd shee, MS.][96][V. 9. saide, strike.][97][cease.][98][V. 11. over this.][99][well may be thine.][100][V. 13. you fall.][101][V. 15. 7 yeere.][102][V. 16. my hart I durst neere breake.][103][V. 21. but whom then.][104][V. 24. her love is granted mee.][105][Ver. 29. but come you hither Master, quoth he.][106][wicked.][107][V. 34. and did on hose and shoone.][108]This is elsewhere expressed "twirled the pin," or "tirled atthe pin" (see b. ii. s. vi. v. 3.) and seems to refer to the turning round the button on the outside of a door, by which the latch rises, still used in cottages.[The explanation given by Percy in this note is an unfounded guess. The Risp or tirling pin was very generally used in the north to do the duty afterwards performed by the knocker. There are several of these curious contrivances in the Antiquarian Museum at Edinburgh, and they are described by D. Wilson in hisMemorials of Edinburgh in the Olden Time, as follows,—"These antique precursors of the knocker and bell are still frequently to be met with in the steep turnpikes of the Old Town, notwithstanding the cupidity of the Antiquarian collectors. The ring is drawn up and down the notched iron rod and makes a very audible noise within." (1848, vol. i. p. 97).][109][V. 42. nor noe bed.][110][V. 43-4.but downe upon her chamber florefull soone he hath her layd.][111][Ver. 45. that lady gay.][112][went.][113][Ver. 46. when he came nor when he youd.][114][V. 51. that coller from about.][115][V. 53. awaken quoth hee my master deere.][116][V. 54-5. not in MS.][117][V. 59. have not I served a.][118][V. 60. when times comes I have need.][119][V. 61. but up.][120][V. 64. he was a kinges sonne.][121][V. 65. that ladies.][122][V. 66. upon a.][123][V. 68. rose up and.][124][V. 71. you are. MS][125]Ver. 77. litle, MS.[126][V. 78. falsly hath.][127][V. 79. and then.][128][V. 82. spring within my body.][129][V. 83-4. not in MS.][130][V. 85. but home then.][131][V. 86. a woe man good was hee.][132][V. 87. come hither thou.][133][V. 88. come thou.][134][V. 89. ffor if.][135][V. 96. and asked noe man noe leave.][136][V. 98. till a. MS.]
[93][Ver. 4. where cappe and candle yoode, MS.]
[93][Ver. 4. where cappe and candle yoode, MS.]
[94]V. 6. wood, MS.
[94]V. 6. wood, MS.
[95][V. 8. sayd shee, MS.]
[95][V. 8. sayd shee, MS.]
[96][V. 9. saide, strike.]
[96][V. 9. saide, strike.]
[97][cease.]
[97][cease.]
[98][V. 11. over this.]
[98][V. 11. over this.]
[99][well may be thine.]
[99][well may be thine.]
[100][V. 13. you fall.]
[100][V. 13. you fall.]
[101][V. 15. 7 yeere.]
[101][V. 15. 7 yeere.]
[102][V. 16. my hart I durst neere breake.]
[102][V. 16. my hart I durst neere breake.]
[103][V. 21. but whom then.]
[103][V. 21. but whom then.]
[104][V. 24. her love is granted mee.]
[104][V. 24. her love is granted mee.]
[105][Ver. 29. but come you hither Master, quoth he.]
[105][Ver. 29. but come you hither Master, quoth he.]
[106][wicked.]
[106][wicked.]
[107][V. 34. and did on hose and shoone.]
[107][V. 34. and did on hose and shoone.]
[108]This is elsewhere expressed "twirled the pin," or "tirled atthe pin" (see b. ii. s. vi. v. 3.) and seems to refer to the turning round the button on the outside of a door, by which the latch rises, still used in cottages.[The explanation given by Percy in this note is an unfounded guess. The Risp or tirling pin was very generally used in the north to do the duty afterwards performed by the knocker. There are several of these curious contrivances in the Antiquarian Museum at Edinburgh, and they are described by D. Wilson in hisMemorials of Edinburgh in the Olden Time, as follows,—"These antique precursors of the knocker and bell are still frequently to be met with in the steep turnpikes of the Old Town, notwithstanding the cupidity of the Antiquarian collectors. The ring is drawn up and down the notched iron rod and makes a very audible noise within." (1848, vol. i. p. 97).]
[108]This is elsewhere expressed "twirled the pin," or "tirled atthe pin" (see b. ii. s. vi. v. 3.) and seems to refer to the turning round the button on the outside of a door, by which the latch rises, still used in cottages.
[The explanation given by Percy in this note is an unfounded guess. The Risp or tirling pin was very generally used in the north to do the duty afterwards performed by the knocker. There are several of these curious contrivances in the Antiquarian Museum at Edinburgh, and they are described by D. Wilson in hisMemorials of Edinburgh in the Olden Time, as follows,—"These antique precursors of the knocker and bell are still frequently to be met with in the steep turnpikes of the Old Town, notwithstanding the cupidity of the Antiquarian collectors. The ring is drawn up and down the notched iron rod and makes a very audible noise within." (1848, vol. i. p. 97).]
[109][V. 42. nor noe bed.]
[109][V. 42. nor noe bed.]
[110][V. 43-4.but downe upon her chamber florefull soone he hath her layd.]
[110][V. 43-4.
but downe upon her chamber florefull soone he hath her layd.]
but downe upon her chamber florefull soone he hath her layd.]
[111][Ver. 45. that lady gay.]
[111][Ver. 45. that lady gay.]
[112][went.]
[112][went.]
[113][Ver. 46. when he came nor when he youd.]
[113][Ver. 46. when he came nor when he youd.]
[114][V. 51. that coller from about.]
[114][V. 51. that coller from about.]
[115][V. 53. awaken quoth hee my master deere.]
[115][V. 53. awaken quoth hee my master deere.]
[116][V. 54-5. not in MS.]
[116][V. 54-5. not in MS.]
[117][V. 59. have not I served a.]
[117][V. 59. have not I served a.]
[118][V. 60. when times comes I have need.]
[118][V. 60. when times comes I have need.]
[119][V. 61. but up.]
[119][V. 61. but up.]
[120][V. 64. he was a kinges sonne.]
[120][V. 64. he was a kinges sonne.]
[121][V. 65. that ladies.]
[121][V. 65. that ladies.]
[122][V. 66. upon a.]
[122][V. 66. upon a.]
[123][V. 68. rose up and.]
[123][V. 68. rose up and.]
[124][V. 71. you are. MS]
[124][V. 71. you are. MS]
[125]Ver. 77. litle, MS.
[125]Ver. 77. litle, MS.
[126][V. 78. falsly hath.]
[126][V. 78. falsly hath.]
[127][V. 79. and then.]
[127][V. 79. and then.]
[128][V. 82. spring within my body.]
[128][V. 82. spring within my body.]
[129][V. 83-4. not in MS.]
[129][V. 83-4. not in MS.]
[130][V. 85. but home then.]
[130][V. 85. but home then.]
[131][V. 86. a woe man good was hee.]
[131][V. 86. a woe man good was hee.]
[132][V. 87. come hither thou.]
[132][V. 87. come hither thou.]
[133][V. 88. come thou.]
[133][V. 88. come thou.]
[134][V. 89. ffor if.]
[134][V. 89. ffor if.]
[135][V. 96. and asked noe man noe leave.]
[135][V. 96. and asked noe man noe leave.]
[136][V. 98. till a. MS.]
[136][V. 98. till a. MS.]
Froman ancient copy in the Editor's folio MS. which was judged to require considerable corrections.
In the former edition the hero of this piece had been called Sir Robin, but that title not being in the MS. is now omitted.
Giles, steward to a rich old merchant trading toPortugal, is qualified with the title ofSir, not as being a knight, but rather, I conceive, as having received an inferior order of priesthood.
[Percy's note in the MS. is as follows, "When I first set to examine this I had not yet learnt to hold this old MS. in much regard." Every line is altered, so that it has been necessary to add a copy of the original, although the interest of the ballad itself is not very great. Percy's most notable correction is the introduction of 20 good knights to help Robin against his wife's twenty-four traitors.]
[Percy's note in the MS. is as follows, "When I first set to examine this I had not yet learnt to hold this old MS. in much regard." Every line is altered, so that it has been necessary to add a copy of the original, although the interest of the ballad itself is not very great. Percy's most notable correction is the introduction of 20 good knights to help Robin against his wife's twenty-four traitors.]
Let never again soe old a manMarrye soe yonge a wife,As did old Robin of Portingale;Who may rue all the dayes of his life.For the mayors daughter of Lin, god wott,5He chose her to his wife,And thought with her to have lived in love,By they fell to hate and strife.They scarce were in their wed-bed laid,And scarce was hee asleepe,10But upp shee rose, and forth shee goes,To the steward, and gan to weepe.Sleepe you, wake you, faire sir Gyles?Or be you not within?Sleepe you, wake you, faire sir Gyles,15Arise and let me inn.O, I am waking, sweete, he said,Sweete ladye, what is your will?I have unbethought me of a wile[137]How my wed-lord weell spill.[138]20Twenty-four good knights, shee sayes.That dwell about this towne,Even twenty-four of my next cozèns,Will helpe to dinge[139]him downe.All that beheard his litle footepage,25As he watered his masters steed;And for his masters sad perilleHis verry heart did bleed.He mourned still, and wept full sore;I sweare by the holy roode30The teares he for his master weptWere blent water and bloude.[140]And that beheard his deare mastèrAs he stood at his garden pale:Sayes, Ever alacke, my litle foot-page,35What causes thee to wail?Hath any one done to thee wrongeAny of thy fellowes here?Or is any of thy good friends dead,That thou shedst manye a teare?40Or, if it be my head bookes-man,[141]Aggrieved he shal bee:For no man here within my howse,Shall doe wrong unto thee.O, it is not your head bookes-man,45Nor none of his degree:But, on to-morrow ere it be noone[142]All deemed[143]to die are yee.And of that bethank your head stewàrd,And thank your gay ladie.50If this be true, my litle foot-page,The heyre of my land thoust bee.If it be not true, my dear mastèr,No good death let me die.If it be not true, thou litle foot-page,55A dead corse shalt thou lie.[144]O call now downe my faire ladye,O call her downe to mee:And tell my ladye gay how sicke,And like to die I bee.60Downe then came his ladye faire,All clad in purple and pall:The rings that were on her fingèrs,Cast light thorrow the hall.What is your will, my owne wed-lord?65What is your will with mee?O see, my ladye deere, how sicke,And like to die I bee.And thou be sicke, my own wed-lord,Soe sore it grieveth me:70But my five maydens and myselfeWill "watch thy" bedde for thee:[145]And at the waking of your first sleepe,We will a hott drinke make:And at the waking of your "next" sleepe,[146]75Your sorrowes we will slake.He put a silk cote on his backe,And mail of manye a fold:And hee putt a steele cap on his head,Was gilt with good red gold.80He layd a bright browne sword by his side,And another att his feete:"And twentye good knights he placed at hand,To watch him in his sleepe."And about the middle time of the night,85Came twentye-four traitours inn:Sir Giles he was the foremost man,The leader of that ginn.[147]Old Robin with his bright browne sword,Sir Gyles head soon did winn:90And scant of all those twenty-four,Went out one quick[148]agenn.None save only a litle foot page,Crept forth at a window of stone:And he had two armes when he came in,95And he went back with one.Upp then came that ladie gayeWith torches burning bright:She thought to have brought sir Gyles a drinke,Butt she found her owne wedd knight.100The first thinge that she stumbled onIt was sir Gyles his foote:Sayes, Ever alacke, and woe is mee!Here lyes my sweete hart-roote.The next thinge that she stumbled on105It was sir Gyles his heade;Sayes, Ever, alacke, and woe is me!Heere lyes my true love deade.Hee cutt the pappes beside her brest,And did her body spille;[149]110He cutt the eares beside her heade,And bade her love her fille.He called then up his litle foot-page,And made him there his heyre;And sayd henceforth my worldlye goodes115And countrye I forsweare.He shope[150]the crosse on his right shouldèr,Of the white "clothe" and the redde,[151]And went him into the holy land,Wheras Christ was quicke and dead.120
Let never again soe old a manMarrye soe yonge a wife,As did old Robin of Portingale;Who may rue all the dayes of his life.
For the mayors daughter of Lin, god wott,5He chose her to his wife,And thought with her to have lived in love,By they fell to hate and strife.
They scarce were in their wed-bed laid,And scarce was hee asleepe,10But upp shee rose, and forth shee goes,To the steward, and gan to weepe.
Sleepe you, wake you, faire sir Gyles?Or be you not within?Sleepe you, wake you, faire sir Gyles,15Arise and let me inn.
O, I am waking, sweete, he said,Sweete ladye, what is your will?I have unbethought me of a wile[137]How my wed-lord weell spill.[138]20
Twenty-four good knights, shee sayes.That dwell about this towne,Even twenty-four of my next cozèns,Will helpe to dinge[139]him downe.
All that beheard his litle footepage,25As he watered his masters steed;And for his masters sad perilleHis verry heart did bleed.
He mourned still, and wept full sore;I sweare by the holy roode30The teares he for his master weptWere blent water and bloude.[140]
And that beheard his deare mastèrAs he stood at his garden pale:Sayes, Ever alacke, my litle foot-page,35What causes thee to wail?
Hath any one done to thee wrongeAny of thy fellowes here?Or is any of thy good friends dead,That thou shedst manye a teare?40
Or, if it be my head bookes-man,[141]Aggrieved he shal bee:For no man here within my howse,Shall doe wrong unto thee.
O, it is not your head bookes-man,45Nor none of his degree:But, on to-morrow ere it be noone[142]All deemed[143]to die are yee.
And of that bethank your head stewàrd,And thank your gay ladie.50If this be true, my litle foot-page,The heyre of my land thoust bee.
If it be not true, my dear mastèr,No good death let me die.If it be not true, thou litle foot-page,55A dead corse shalt thou lie.[144]
O call now downe my faire ladye,O call her downe to mee:And tell my ladye gay how sicke,And like to die I bee.60
Downe then came his ladye faire,All clad in purple and pall:The rings that were on her fingèrs,Cast light thorrow the hall.
What is your will, my owne wed-lord?65What is your will with mee?O see, my ladye deere, how sicke,And like to die I bee.
And thou be sicke, my own wed-lord,Soe sore it grieveth me:70But my five maydens and myselfeWill "watch thy" bedde for thee:[145]
And at the waking of your first sleepe,We will a hott drinke make:And at the waking of your "next" sleepe,[146]75Your sorrowes we will slake.
He put a silk cote on his backe,And mail of manye a fold:And hee putt a steele cap on his head,Was gilt with good red gold.80
He layd a bright browne sword by his side,And another att his feete:"And twentye good knights he placed at hand,To watch him in his sleepe."
And about the middle time of the night,85Came twentye-four traitours inn:Sir Giles he was the foremost man,The leader of that ginn.[147]
Old Robin with his bright browne sword,Sir Gyles head soon did winn:90And scant of all those twenty-four,Went out one quick[148]agenn.
None save only a litle foot page,Crept forth at a window of stone:And he had two armes when he came in,95And he went back with one.
Upp then came that ladie gayeWith torches burning bright:She thought to have brought sir Gyles a drinke,Butt she found her owne wedd knight.100
The first thinge that she stumbled onIt was sir Gyles his foote:Sayes, Ever alacke, and woe is mee!Here lyes my sweete hart-roote.
The next thinge that she stumbled on105It was sir Gyles his heade;Sayes, Ever, alacke, and woe is me!Heere lyes my true love deade.
Hee cutt the pappes beside her brest,And did her body spille;[149]110He cutt the eares beside her heade,And bade her love her fille.
He called then up his litle foot-page,And made him there his heyre;And sayd henceforth my worldlye goodes115And countrye I forsweare.
He shope[150]the crosse on his right shouldèr,Of the white "clothe" and the redde,[151]And went him into the holy land,Wheras Christ was quicke and dead.120