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Old  English  Ballads 


CAMBRIDGE  UNIVERSITY  PRESS 

C.  F.  CLAY,  MANAGER 
LONDON    :     FETTER     LANE,    E.C4 


NEW  YORK    :   THE   MACMILLAN  CO. 

BOMBAY        I 

CALCUTTA  >  MACMILLAN  AND  CO.,  LTD. 

MADRAS       J 

TORONTO    :    THE    MACMILLAN    CO. 

OF  CANADA,   LTD. 
TOKYO  :  MARUZEN-KABUSHIKI-KAISHA 


ALL   RIGHTS   RESERVED 


Old  English  Ballads 

1553-1625 

Chiefly  from  Manuscripts 


EDITED    BY 

HYDER  E.  ROLLINS,  Ph.D. 

ASSISTANT    PROFESSOR    OF    ENGLISH 
NEW    YORK    UNIVERSITY 


CAMBRIDGE 
AT  THE  UNIVERSITY  PRESS 

1920 


pft 


Printed  in  Great  Britain 
ty  Turnbull  &  Spears,  Edinburgh 


TO 

PROFESSOR  C.  H.  FIRTH 

THIS     BOOK     IS 
RESPECTFULLY     DEDICATED. 


Contents 


PAGB 

INTRODUCTION  ix 


BALLADS  RELATING  TO  QUEEN  MARY  I.  (Nos.  1-6)  .  i 

BALLADS  ON  PROTESTANT  MARTYRS  (Nos.  7-9)    .  .         33 

CATHOLIC  BALLADS  (Nos.  10-25)  .  .  .62 

PROTESTANT  AND  MORALIZING  BALLADS  (Nos.  26-63)  •       l^° 

MISCELLANEOUS  BALLADS  (Nos.  64-75)    .  .  .       322 

APPENDIX  I. :  THE  PARLIAMENT  OF  DEVILS         .  .       384 

APPENDIX  II.  :  A  SINGULAR  SALVE  FOR  A  SICK  SOUL  .       405 

INDEX  OF  FIRST  LINES,  TITLES,  AND  TUNES        .  .       407 

GLOSSARIAL  INDEX  .  .  .  .  .411 


Acknowledgment 

For  permission  to  reprint  the  ballads  and 
broadsides  in  this  volume  grateful  acknowledg 
ment  is  made  to  the  authorities  of  the  Society 
of  Antiquaries,  London ;  Corpus  Christi 
College,  Cambridge  ;  the  Pepysian  Library, 
Magdalene  College,  Cambridge  ;  the  Bodleian 
Library  ;  and  the  British  Museum.  Thanks 
are  due  also  to  my  friend  Dr  Alwin  Thaler 
for  some  help  with  the  MS.  and  to  Professor 
C.  H.  Firth  for  his  kindness  in  reading  the 
proof-sheets  of  the  Introduction. 


H.  E.  R. 


May  1920 


Introduction 


i 

THROUGHOUT  the  history  of  the  black-letter  ballad  no 
subject  has  called  forth  so  many  rhymes  as  the  struggle 
between  Protestants  and  Catholics.  One  of  the  earliest 
broadside  ballads  extant  deals  with  riots  that  grew  out 
of  the  dissolution  of  the  monasteries  in  Cornwall  and 
Devon.  This  paean  of  rejoicing  is,  unhappily,  preserved 
only  in  a  fragment  of  four  (or  parts  of  four)  stanzas,1 
but  is  worth  reprinting  : — 

There  hartes  ware  so  roted  in  the  popes  lawes 
They  be  gane  the  laste  yere  when  they  slew  bodye  2 
All  England  reioysethe  at  ther  ouer  throwse 
For  only  the  Lorde  is  oure  Kynges  victorye 

They  had  falce  prophetes  which  brought  thi[n]ges  to  passe 
Cleane  contrary  to  ther  owne  expectation 
Ther  hope  was  for  helpe  in  ther  popishe  masse 
They  wolde  nedes  haue  hanged  vp  a  reseruacion 
The  vicare  of  pon  wdstoke  with  his  congeracio» 
Commanded  them  to  sticke  to  ther  Idolatry 
They  had  muche  proui[s]ion  and  great  preperacion 
Yet  God  hath  gyuen  our  Kynge  the  victorye 

They  did  robe  and  spoule  al  the  Kynges  frendes 
They  called  them  heritekes  with  spight  &  disdayne 
They  toffled  a  space  lyke  tirantes  and  F[e]indes 
They  put  some  in  preson  &  sume  to  greate  payne 

1  This  ballad,  which  I  have  never  seen  reprinted  or  alluded  to,  is 
preserved  in  the  British  Museum,  press  mark  Cup.  651.  e.  2.     It  is  in 
Black  Letter  throughout.     All  the  stanzas  on  the  left  side  of  the  sheet 
have  been  torn  off,  though  a  few  scattering  letters  remain. 

2  "  William  Body,  gentleman,  one  on  the  King's  side,  was  slain  "  in 
the    Cornish    Popish   rebellion    of   April,    1548    (Strype,    Ecclesiastical 
Memorials,  1822,  II.,  ii.,   143  ;  cf.  Froude's  History  of  England,   1870, 
V.,  97).     I  cannot  identify  the  martyr  William  Hilling  mentioned  in  the 
third  stanza. 

ix 


OLD  ENGLISH  BALLADS 

And  sume  fled  a  waie  or  else  they  had  bene  slayne 
As  was  Wyllam  hilling  that  marter  truly 
Whiche  they  killed  at  sandford  mowre  in  the  playne 
Where  yet  god  hath  giuen  oure  Kynge  the  victory 

They  Came  to  plumwo  with  the  Kynges  trusty  towne  .   .  . 

Ballads  of  this  type  were  pleasing  to  Henry  VIII. 
and  his  advisers.  But  the  extraordinary  popularity  of 
ballads,  and  the  no  less  extraordinary  versatility  of  the 
ballad-writers,  not  infrequently  resulted  in  songs  to 
which  the  King  bitterly  objected  and  to  suppress  which 
he  spared  no  pains.  He  was  particularly  displeased 
with  the  attacks  made  on  Cardinal  Wolsey  and  Lord 
Cromwell.  He  complained,  also,  in  1537,  to  James  V. 
of  Scotland,  through  the  agency  of  Sir  Thomas  Wharton, 
Warden  of  the  West  Marches,  of  various  ballads  by 
Scotch  subjects  in  which  he  himself,  no  less  than  the 
true  Protestant  religion,  was  satirized.  James  replied 
to  Wharton  that  he  had  given  "  sharp  charges  to  all 
parts  of  our  borders  "  for  the  ballads  to  be  thoroughly 
suppressed  and  for  their  authors  to  be  sought  out,  but 
added  that,  because  he  personally  had  never  before 
heard  of  such  ballads,  he  suspected  them  to  have  been 
written  "  by  some  of  your  own  nation."  l  Hardly  a 
year  later,  Wharton  informed  Lord  Cromwell  that  a 
ballad  deriding  the  English  for  living  in  the  false  religion 
was  circulating  through  Scotland  ;  and,  subsequently, 
he  reported  that  his  "  espial,"  Mungo  Armstrong,  had 
secured  a  copy  of  the  ballad  and  believed  it  to  have  been 
written  by  the  Scotch  Bishops  or  else  at  their  direction.2 

Armstrong's  suspicion  was  probably  well-founded. 
Men  of  prominence  and  education  throughout  the 
sixteenth  and  seventeenth  centuries  used  ballads  to 
disseminate  their  views  or  to  ridicule  their  opponents. 

1  Henry   Ellis,   Original  Letters,    1st   Series,  II.,   103  ;   Maidment's 
Book  of  Scottish  Pasquils,  p.  418. 

2  Calendar  of  State  Papers,  Henry  Fill.,  XIII.,  Pt.   II.,  Nos.  1129, 
1145. 


INTRODUCTION 

Cromwell  himself  had  done  so.  John  Foxe  reckoned  as 
one  of  Cromwell's  chief  services  that  by  his  "  industry 
and  ingenious  labours,  divers  excellent  ballads  and  books 
were  contrived  and  set  abroad,  concerning  the  suppres 
sion  of  the  pope  and  all  popish  idolatry  "  ;  and  printed, 
as  a  specimen,  a  ballad  of  fifty  stanzas  called  "  The 
Fantassie  of  Idolatrie."  l  This  was  the  work  of  William 
Gray,  a  man  of  some  ability,  who  wrote  ballads  at  the 
dictation  of  high  officials  in  the  reigns  of  both 
Henry  VIII.  and  Edward  VI.  His  best-known  work, 
however,  was  a  non-political  ballad,  "  The  Hunt  Is  Up." 

But,  as  Gray  found  to  his  sorrow,  there  was  no  real 
liberty  for  the  ballad-press.  In  1540  he  indulged  in 
a  ballad-flyting  v/ith  Thomas  Smyth  (Sir  Thomas 
Smyth,  Secretary  of  State  ?)  that  originated  in  a  libel 
against  the  deceased  Lord  Cromwell,  but  soon  degener 
ated  into  personalities.2  On  December  30,  1540,  the 
Privy  Council  sent  letters  to  Banks  and  Grafton,  whose 
names  appeared  on  the  colophons  of  the  ballads,  and  to 
Gray,  directing  them  to  appear  before  the  Council  on 
the  following  Sunday.  Gray  and  Smyth  gave  an 
unsatisfactory  explanation  of  why  they  had  written 
ballads  against  each  other,  and  were  instructed  to 
appear  for  a  re-examination  at  7  a.m.  on  the  following 
morning.  Interrogated  by  the  Council,  Banks  denied 
that  he  had  printed  any  of  the  ballads,  or  "  invectives," 
laying  the  "  fault  to  Robert  Redman  deceased  and 
Richard  Grafton."  The  latter  confessed  to  a  share  in 
the  printing,  and  was  sent  to  the  Porter's  ward.  As  a 
result  of  their  further  examination,  Gray  and  Smyth 
were  committed  to  the  Fleet.3 

An  Act  for  the  Advancement  of  True  Religion  and  for 

1  Acts  and  Monuments,  First  Edition,  p.  598. 

2  For  the  ballads  see  Calendar  of  State  Papers,  Domestic,  XVI.,  212  ; 
Hazlitt's    Fugitive    Tracts,     ist    Series,     Nos.     VI.-XIII.  ;     Kingdon's 
Incidents  in  the  Lives  ofPoyntz  and  Grafton,  p.  84. 

3  Calendar  of  State  Papers,  Domestic,  XVI.,  No.  366  ;  Acts  of  the  Privy 
Council,  ed.  Nicolas,  VII.,  103,  105,  107. 

xi 


OLD  ENGLISH  BALLADS 

the  Abolishment  of  the  Contrary,  of  1543,  specifically 
named  "  printed  ballads,  rhymes  and  songs  "  among  the 
instruments  used  by  malicious  persons  to  "  subvert  the 
very  true  and  perfect  exposition,  doctrine,  and  declara 
tion  "  of  the  Scriptures,  and  provided  that  printers  and 
sellers  of  such  matter  were,  for  a  first  offence,  to  be 
fined  .£10  and  imprisoned  three  months,  for  a  second 
offence  to  suffer  confiscation  of  property  and  life  im 
prisonment.1  In  April  of  this  year  eight  London 
printers  were  brought  before  the  Privy  Council  for 
violations  of  the  statute.  A  fortnight  later,  five  of  them 
were  released,  on  the  condition  that  they  would  furnish 
a  complete  list  of  all  books  and  ballads  bought  and  sold 
by  them  within  the  past  three  years.  On  April  25 
twenty-five  other  booksellers  were  similarly  bound.2 
No  better  proof  of  the  popularity  of  the  ballad  could 
be  asked  for. 

Though  under  Edward  VI.  the  Statute  of  1543  was 
repealed,3  yet,  as  always,  the  Privy  Council  kept  a 
watchful  eye  on  the  printing  of  ballads.  Thus  on 
June  7,  1552,  William  Marten  was  summoned  to  ex 
plain  why  he  had  printed  a  seditious  ballad  written  by 
John  Lawton.  After  the  hearing,  he  was  placed  under 
bond  of  ;£ioo  to  report  to  the  Council  daily  until  further 
orders,  and  instructed  "  in  the  meantime  to  bring  in 
as  many  of  the  same  ballates  as  he  may  come  by."  4 
Controversial  ballads  (like  those  of  the  Churchyard- 
Camell  flyting 5)  abounded  during  Edward's  reign ; 
and  a  number  of  anti-Catholic  ballads  have  been 
preserved.6 

1  Statutes  of  the  Realm,  III.,  894. 

2  E.  G.  Duft's  Century  of  the  English  Book  Trade,  pp.  xxiv  ff. 

3  Statutes  of  the  Realm,  IV.,  19. 

4  Acts  of  the  Privy  Council,  ed.  Dasent,  IV.,  69. 

5  These  are  reprinted  in  H.  L.  Collmann's  Ballads  and  Broadsides, 
Roxburghe  Club,  1912. 

6  Percy's  Reliques,  ed.  Wheatley,  II.,  125,  133  ;  Collier's  Old  Ballads, 
from  Early  Printed  Coties,  1 840,  p.  9. 

xii 


INTRODUCTION 

No  English  sovereign  has  ascended  to  the  throne 
among  more  sincere  rejoicings  than  Mary  I.  General 
sympathy  had  been  aroused  by  the  unscrupulous  methods 
the  Duke  of  Northumberland  had  employed  in  dis 
puting  both  her  legitimacy  and  her  accession.  What 
ever  sympathy  existed  for  Lady  Jane  Grey  was  thoroughly 
neutralized  by  the  fear  and  hatred  felt  for  the  Duke. 
A  striking  description  of  this  feeling  is  given  in  the  first 
ballad  in  this  volume.  Ballad-writers,  whatever  may 
have  been  true  of  the  country  as  a  whole,  had  no  fears 
that  Mary  would  introduce  changes  in  religion  and 
state  policy.  Thus  Richard  Beard,  in  his  "  Godly 
Psalme  of  Marye  Queene,"  l  rejoiced  at  the  thought 
that  Mary  would  continue  the  work  of  true  religion 
begun  under  Edward  VI.  : — 

Yet  are  wee  comforted  agayne 

Lyft  vp,  and  eke  erect  : 
By  cause  the  Lord  hathe  placed  thus 

His  chosen  and  elect. 

Whiche  beeing  oure  moast  godly  Queene 

That  seekes  our  preseruasion  : 
No  doubt  wil  strongly  buyld  vpon 

Her  brothers  good  fondacion. 

The  ground  worke  hee  hathe  layde  him  selfe, 

And  she  is  left  a  Ion, 
To  buyld  the  house,  and  fortresse  vp 

Of  trew  religion. 

Mary  wag_fully  aware  of  the  powerful  influence^  of 
>allads,_a_nd  of  all  printed  matter,  in  influencing  public 
opinion.  A  bare  month  after  she  was  proclaimed 
Queen — six  weeks  before  her  coronation — she  issued  a 
proclamation  against  the  printing  of  "  books-,  ballads, 
rhymes,  and  interludes  "  without  special  licence.2  There 
was  a  vital  need  for  such  legislation  if  the  Queen  was 
effectually  to  carry  out  her  plans  to  crush  heresy  and 

1  Hazlitt,  Fugitive  Tracts,  ist  Series,  No.  17. 

2  Arber's  Transcript  of  the  Registers  of  the  Stationers'  Company,  V.,  xl. 

xiii 


OLD  ENGLISH  BALLADS 

to  restore  the  ancient  faith.  She  had  already  reinstated 
the  Catholic  Bishops,  had  imprisoned  Ridley,  Coverdale, 
Hooper,  Latimer,  and  Cranmer,  and  had  issued  orders 
that  no  one  should  presume  to  preach  without  special 
license  from  her.  At  the  opening  of  Parliament,  on 
October  5,  Mass  was  celebrated  before  the  two  Houses. 
On  October  10  some  person  addressed  a  ballad  of  warn 
ing  to  her.  It  begins,  pleasantly  enough, 

O  louesomme  Rosse  most  Redelente, 

but  goes  on  to  warn  her  against  that  "  myserable  mask- 
yng  masse,"  and  ends  by  comparing  her  to  Jezebel.1 

Ballads  of  every  description  now  abounded,  the  work 
not  only  of  professional  ballad-mongers,  but  also  of  men 
of  education  and  social  standing.  Priests,  in  particular, 
thought  it  no  indignity  to  sign  their  names  at  the  end 
of  printed  ballads.  Two  priests,  William  Forrest  and 
L.  Stopes,  are  represented  by  works  in  this  volume 
(Nos.  2,  3).  Mary  found  herself,  like  her  predecessors 
and  successors,  unable  to  exercise  complete  control  over 
ballad-printing.  Along  with  Forrest's  flattering  ballad 
of  "  The  Marigold  "  (No.  2)  her  people  were  reading 
and  singing  such  pieces  as  John  Bradford's  "  Tragical 
Blast  of  the  Papistical  Trumpet  for  Maintenance  of  the 
Pope's  Kingdom  in  England,"  with  its  mocking  refrain, 

Now  all  shaven  crownes  to  the  standerd 
Make  roome,  pul  down  for  the  Spaniard.2 

It  was  all  very  well  for  the  poet-dramatist  John  Hey- 
wood  to  pen  "  A  Balade  specifienge  partly  the  maner, 
partly  the  matter,  in  the  most  excellent  meetyng  and 
lyke  Manage  betwene  our  Soveraigne  Lord  and  our 
Soveraigne  Lady " 3  ;  but  simultaneously  books  of 

1  Furnivall,  Ballads  from  M55.,  I.,  431. 

2  Strype,  Ecclesiastical  Memorials,  1822,  III.,  ii.,  339  ;  Dyce's  Skelton, 
L,  cxvii. 

3  Harlelan  Miscellany,  1813,  X.,  255. 

xiv 


INTRODUCTION 

"  very  evil  and  lewd  songs "  against  the  Mass,  the 
Church,  and  the  Sovereigns  themselves  were  being  spread 
throughout  the  Kingdom.1  Outrageous  libels  were 
printed  and  put  into  circulation. 

To  crush  these,  an  Act  against  Seditious  Words  and 
Rumours 2  was  passed,  which  recites  that  "  dyvers 
heynous,  sedicious  and  sclanderous  Writinges,  Rimes, 
Ballades,  Letters,  Papers,  and  Bookes,"  tending  to  stir 
up  discord,  had  been  circulated.  The  statute  provided 
that  for  such  offences  in  the  future,  the  guilty  person 
should  be  placed  in  the  pillory  and  have  his  ears  cut  off, 
or  else  pay  a  fine  of  £100.  By  a  further  provision,  any 
person  who  after  this  proclamation  should  write  a  book, 
rhyme,  or  ballad  against  the  King  and  Queen,  or  who 
ever  should  print  it,  was,  if  the  offence  were  not  already 
covered  by  a  statute  of  treason,  to  have  his  right  hand 
cut  off.  Queen  Elizabeth  later  availed  herself  of  this 
provision  to  gunish  the  printers  of  a  libel  against  her 
suitor,  the  Duke  of  Anjou.3 

Active  steps  to  control  ballads  were  taken.  In 
March,  1554,  Mary  sent  orders  to  the  Bishop  of  London 
to  be  put  into  effect  throughout  his  diocese.  The  sixth 
article  required  him  to  suppress  "  ballads  and  other 
pernicious  and  hurtful  devices  engendering  hatred 
among  the  people  and  discord  among  the  same."  4  In 
the  visitation  of  London  during  1554-55  Bishop  Bonner 
(himself  a  severe  sufferer  from  libelous  ballads)  directed 
that  inquiry  be  made  "  whether  there  be  any  that  hath 
printed  or  sold  slanderous  books,  ballads  or  plays  contrary 
to  Christian  religion  :  declaring  and  specifying  their 
names,  surnames,  and  dwelling-places  "  and  "  whether  any 

1  Rye,  Depositions  before  the  Mayor  and  Aldermen  of  Norwich,  p.   55 
(cited  by  C.  H.  Firth,   Transactions  of  the  Royal  Historical  Society,  3rd 
Series,  III.,  64). 

2  Statutes  of  the  Realm,  IV.,  240. 

3  Stow's  Annals,  1615,  p.  695  (October,  1581). 

4  Frere  and  Kennedy,  Visitation  Articles  and  Injunctions  of  the  Reforma 
tion,  1910,  II.,  326. 

XV 


OLD  ENGLISH  BALLADS 

teacher  or  schoolmaster  do  teach  or  read  to  their  scholars  ] 
any  evil  or  naughty  corrupt  book,  ballad  or  writing."  1 

Presumably,  these  measures  proved  fairly  effective. 
Certainly  few  printed  ballads  of  even  remote  political 
significance  remain,  though  ballads  of  other  types  are 
preserved  in  comparatively  large  numbers.  To  be  sure, 
John  Heywood,  an  ardent  and  consistent  Catholic  (as 
his  later  life  showed),  wrote  a  number  of  political  ballads, 
but  he  was  of  the  ruling  class.  The  printer  of  a  ballad 
on  Lord  Wentworth,  who  surrendered  Calais  to  the 
French,  was  heavily  fined.2  Henry  Spooner,  who  in 
Edward's  reign  had  lampooned  Bonner,  now  perforce  con 
tented  himself  with  the  safer  subjects  of  love,  satire, 
and  morality.3  Only  Catholic  poets  had  a  free  hand. 

The  hope  of  the  Catholic  religion  in  England  lay  in 
the  permanent  exclusion  of  Elizabeth  from  the  throne. 
Mary  fervently  hoped  and  prayed  for  an  heir  to  whom 
she  could  pass  on  the  succession  and  the  true  faith. 
The  third  ballad  in  this  volume  deals  with  that  subject, 
giving  an  interesting  contemporary  account  of  the 
supposed  pregnancy  of  the  Queen  and  the  rejoicing  of 
the  Catholics.  But  the  Queen  had  mistaken  her  con 
dition,  and,  according  to  Froude,  her  disappointment 
led  her  to  believe  that  she  had  forfeited  Divine  Favour 
because  of  her  failure  to  root  out  heresy.  The  persecu 
tion  of  Protestants  began  with  renewed  vigour. 

No  printed  ballad  contemporary  with  and  describing 
the  burning  of  the  martyrs  is  known  to  exist.  It  is 
doubtful  whether  any  could  have  been  published,  but 
that  ballads  on  the  martyrs  circulated  in  manuscript  is 
certain.  Ballads  connected  with  John  Careless  (No.  8), 
Robert  Glover  (No.  7),  John  Bradford,  and  Robert  Smith 

1  Frere  and  Kennedy,  Visitation  Articles  and  Injunctions  of  the  Reforma 
tion,  1910,  II.,  353,  356. 

2  Arber's  Transcript,  I.,    101.     The   offending   ballad   is   printed  in 
H.  L.  Collmann's  Ballads  and  Broadsides,  1912,  p.  183. 

3  See  Thomas  Wright's  Songs  and  Ballads  Chiefly  of  the  Reign  of  Philip 
and  Mary,  1 860,  passim. 

xvi 


INTRODUCTION 

were  well  known  to  their  contemporaries,  and  are  pre 
served  both  in  manuscripts  and  in  printed  copies  of  the 
subsequent  reign.  Long  after  the' Marian  persecutions 
had  ended,  ballads  on  Anne  Askew  and  the  misfortunes 
of  the  Duchess  of  Suffolk  were  composed. 

When  Mary  died,  an  enthusiastic  Catholic  composed 
an   epitaph    (No.    5)   in  which  her   surpassing   virtues 
are   extolled  to   the   skies— her   meekness,   her   mercy, 
her   kindness ;    and    the    printer   was    promptly    sent 
"to   ward."      The    evil    that    Queen    Mary   did    has 
lived  after  her  with  a  vengeance  :    the  good  qualities, 
which    the   ballad-poet   saw,   were   interred   with   her 
bones.    Perhaps  Dickens  was  right  when,  through  the 
mouth  of  John  Grueby,  he  remarked,  "  She s  done  a 
eal  more  harm  in  her  grave  than  she  ever  did  in  her 
lifetime.   .   .   .  One  of  these  evenings,  when  the  weather 
gets   warmer    and   Protestants    are   thirsty,    they  11    be 
pulling  London  down-and  I  never  heard  that  Bloody 
Mary  went  as  far  as  that."     The  Gordon  riots,  which 
Grueby   predicted,   are   an   example   of   a   bigotry   and 
cruelty   rivalling    that    of    the   Catholic    Queen 
sincerity  and  her  faith  have  never  been  questioned. 

With  the  accession  of  Elizabeth,  the  picture  changed. 
Now  it  was  the  Catholics  who  were  martyred,   only 
Protestants  who  could  print  ballads  unmolested, 
of  the  Queen's  first  acts  was  to  put  into  effect  the  statute 
of  «  Seditious  Words  and  Rumours "  that  Mary  had 
promulgated.1      At    the    same    time,    she    gave    strict 
orders    that,    "  because    many    pamphlets,    plays,    and 
ballads  be  oftentimes  printed,  wherein  regard  would  be 
had  that  nothing  therein  should  be  either  heretical, 
seditious  or  unseemly  for  Christian  ears,"  no  work  was 
to  be  printed  until  it  had  been  licensed  by  three  of  the 
Commissioners    for    Causes    Ecclesiastical^     Numerous 
sealchln  were  appointed  tolceep  watch  on  .he  output 
of  the  printing  presses.    The  Privy   Council   and   the 

1  Journals  of  the  House  of  Lords,  I.,  579- 

2  Arber's  Transcript,  I.,  xxxviii. 


XV11 


OLD  ENGLISH  BALLADS 

Lord  Mayors  of  London  constantly  kept  themselves 
informed  of  the  subjects  of  printed  ballads.1 

The  position  of  Elizabeth's  Catholic  subjects  was 
extremely  difficult.  The  writer  of  the  epitaph  on  Mary 
evidently  felt  no  fear  of  Elizabeth,  and  indeed  her 
earliest  utterances  seemed  to  indicate  that  the  period 
of  religious  intolerance  and  persecution  had  ended. 
Such,  however,  was  far  from  being  the  case.  The 
rebellion  of  1569,  led  by  Catholic  nobles,  and  the  bull 
Pope  Pius  V.  issued  shortly  thereafter,  brought  about 
distressing  conditions.  The  bull  itself  declared'  that 
never  at  any  time  had  Elizabeth  been  the  true  Queen 
of  England,  absolved  her  subjects  from  their  allegiance, 
and  threatened  with  excommunication  her  adherents. 
John  Felton,  who  had  dared  to  nail  the  bull  before  the 
Bishop  of  London's  palace,  was  promptly  hanged,  drawn, 
and  quartered.  His  execution,  like  that  of  his  pre 
decessor,  the  notorious  Dr  Story,  formed  the  subject 
of  many  ballads,  all  bigoted  and  malicious  to  a  degree. 
William  Elderton,  Stephen  Peele,  John  Awdeley,  and 
their  crew  of  professional  Smithfield  bards,  whatever 
their  actual  religious  sentiments,  gloated  over  the  news- 
value  of  Tyburn  executions,  and  indulged  in  never- 
failing  adulation  of  the  Queen  who  was  responsible  for 
them.  Of  the  hundred  ballads  licensed  at  Stationers' 
Hall  during  the  year  1569-70,  fully  three-fourths  dealt 
with  the  Northern  Rebellion,  while  nearly  all  of 
those  registered  in  the  following  year  were  tirades 
against  Dr  Story,  Felton,  the  Pope,  or  the  Roman 
Church. 

By  a  statute  of  1571  it  was  made  treason  to  call  the 
Queen  heretic,  schismatic,  or  usurper,  to  introduce  Papal 
bulls,  and  to  send  money  or  aid  to  fugitives  across  the 
seas.  A  rigid  persecution  of  Catholics  followed  :  the 
exercise  of  their  religion,  even  in  the  privacy  of  their 

1  E.g.  Journals  of  the  House  of  Commons,  I.,  122,  125,  136;  Stow's 
Survey  of  London,  ed.  Strype,  II.,  v.,  333  ;  Acts  of  the  Privy  Council,  ed. 
Dasent,  XXXI.,  226. 


XV111 


INTRODUCTION 

homes,  was  forbidden  ;  private  houses  -were  continually 
subjected  to  search,  and  their  inmates  carried  before 
the  Courts  of  High  Commission,  where  fines  and  im 
prisonment  were  lavishly  awarded.  In  1581  a  drastic 
Act  to  Retain  the  Queen's  Majesty's  Subjects  in  Their 
J^u&.JS'bedience  was  passed,  which  provided  that  any 
person  who  led  another  to  accept  the  Roman  religion 
should  be  treated  as  a  traitor  ;  that  saying  Mass  was  to 
be  punished  by  a  fine  of  two  hundred  marks  and  a  year's 
imprisonment,  hearing  it  with  a  year's  imprisonment 
and  a  fine  of  one  hundred  marks  ;  that  absence  from 
church  should  be  punished  by  a  fine  of  twenty  pounds 
monthly,  and,  if  long  continued,  sureties  of  four  hundred 
pounds  were  to  be  required  for  good  behaviour  in  the 
future.  The  victims  of  these  laws  have  been  duly 
chronicled  by  historians.  It  is  especially  noticeable 
that  just  after  the  defeat  of  the  Armada — a  time  when 
the  Catholics  of  England  had  rallied  loyally  to  the 
support  of  their  ruler — some  thirty  persons  suffered  by 
the  cord  and  axe  for  religion.  Other  statutes  followed 
in  due  succession,  one  of  1593  forbidding  "  Popish 
recusants  "  to  travel  more  than  five  miles  from  their 
respective  homes. 

It  is  appalling  to  see  how  frequently  contemporary 
chroniclers  record  the  execution  of  recusants — bare, 
unrelieved,  unexcused  jottings,  such  as  that  on  Feb 
ruary  27,  1602,  "  was  hanged  a  Gentlewoman,  called 
Mistris  Anne  Line,  a  widow,  for  relieving  a  priest  con 
trary  to  the  Statute,"  and  that  on  February  18,  1594, 
at  Tyburn  a  priest  named  Harrington  was  "  cut  down 
alive,  struggled  with  the  hangman,  but  was  bowelled 
and  quartered."  Still  it  must  be  remembered  that  all 
criminal  offences  met  with  punishment  equally  severe. 
In  1586  George  Whetstone  remarked  that  "there  are 
more  executed  from  Newgate  and  the  Marshalsies,  than 
in  three  of  the  greatest  Cities  of  Fraunce,  and  yet  I 
truely  say,  that  more  offenders  are  fauourably  quitted, 
and  pardoned  in  London  in  one  moneth,  than  in  Paris 


xix 


OLD  ENGLISH  BALLADS 

in  a  whole  yere,  so  exceeding  great  is  the  mercie  of  our] 
most  good  Queene  Elizabeth" l  A  casual  glance 
through  the  annals  of  Stow  and  Camden  shows  that 
"  wenches  burnt  in  Smithfield  "  for  various  crimes  and 
men  strangled  on  the  gallows  and  then  quartered  or 
hanged  in  chains  for  murder,  counterfeiting,  arson,  or 
theft,  equal,  perhaps  surpass,  the  number  of  persons 
executed  because  of  their  religion.  Furthermore,. 
Protestant  nonconformists  were  at  times  in  danger  of 
the  gallows  or  the  stake.  The  city  of  Norwich,  in 
particular,  gained  a  special  odour  of  sanctity  by  the 
zeal  with  which  it  hunted  out  and  burned  John  Lewes 
(No.  9)  and  others  who  scorned  the  Established 
Church  no  less  than  the  Church  of  Rome,  holding  beliefs 
that,  in  large  measure,  anticipated  those  of  the  present- 
day  Unitarians.  Atheists,  too,  were  ruthlessly  punished. 
Christopher  Marlowe's  views  were  hurrying  him  to  the 
fire  when  a  dagger,  in  a  low  tavern-broil,  put  him  out 
of  the  reach  of  "  justice." 

The  number  of  Protestant  martyrs  during  three 
years  of  Queen  Mary's  reign  is  estimated  at  almost 
three  hundred.  During  the  forty-five  years  of 
Elizabeth's  reign  "  there  were  put  to  a  most  barbarous 
and  shameful  death  for  conscience'  sajbe/^  _a  Catholic 
scholar  reminds  us,  "  at  least  one  hundred  and  twenty^- 
four  Catholic  priests  and  as  many  as  fifty-seven  laymen 
and  women."  2  The  author  of  "  A  Song  of  the  Four 
Priests"  (No.  u)  sorrowfully  wrote  of  "two  hundred 
priests,  almost,  in  our  time  martered."  If  among  these 
are  included  priests  who,  like  Throgmorton  and  Babing- 
ton,  certainly  were  not  guiltless  of  treason,  yet  by  far 
the  majority  were,  like  Campion  (No.  10),  Nutter,  Hunt,. 
Middleton,  and  Thwing  (No.  n),  undoubtedly  martyrs 
to  Elizabethan  bigotry.  A  distinguished  victim  comes 
to  mind  at  once  :  Robert  Southwell,  poet  and  priest,, 

1  The  Enemy  to  Unthriftiness,  1586,  sig.  K  3V. 

2  T.  G.  Law,  editing  Challoner's  Martyrs  to  the  Catholic  Faith,  1878,, 
I.,  ix. 

XX 


INTRODUCTION 

ho  was  imprisoned  for  three  years  and  tortured  thirteen 
es  before  finding  peace  at  the  gallows. 

In  "  A  Triumph  for  True  Subjects  "   (No.   10)   an 

phatic  statement  is  made  that  religion  had  nothing, 
treason  everything,  to  do  with  the  death-sentence 
passed  on  Campion,  Sherwin  and  Brian.  The  Govern 
ment  naturally  tried  to  give  this  impression  in  all  its 
dealings  with  the  Catholics ;  and  the  Lord  Treasurer, 
Cecil,  has  been  credited  with  the  authorship  of  a  book 
called  The  Execution  of  Justice  (1584),  in  which  the 
distinction  between  treason  and  religion  is  stressed. 
Since,  however,  the  Roman  religion  required  a  denial 
of  the  Queen's,  and  an  affirmation  of  the  Pope's, 
supremacy  as  head  of  the  Church,  and  since  the  act  of 
denying  the  Queen's  supremacy  was  treason,  it  was 
an  easy  matter  to  prove  even  the  most  innocent  Catholic 
a  traitor.  Dr  (afterwards  Cardinal)  Allen  wrote  a 
Modest  Answer  to  the  English  Persecutors,  in  which  he 
purposed  to  demolish  the  arguments  advanced  in  The 
Execution  of  Justice  ;  and  for  distributing  copies  of  it 
in  England,  Thomas  Alfield,  a  priest,  and  Thomas 
Webley,  a  dyer,  were  put  to  death  (July,  I584).1  Their 
crime,  too,  was  treason. 

Into  a  further  account  of  the  penal  laws  against 
Catholics  it  is  not  necessary  to  enter.  To  dismiss  the 
unpleasant  subject  briefly,  it  may  be  said  that  James  I. 
brought  them  no  relief,  among  his  earliest  public  acts 
being  a  proclamation  warning  Jesuits  and  Seminary 
priests  to  leave  the  Realm,  A  later  proclamation  to 
this  same  effect  (1624)  is  celebrated  in  two  ballads 
(Nos.  27,  28)  in  this  volume.  Naturally  enough,  the 
Gunpowder  Plot  (Nos.  70-72)  led  to  redoubled  efforts 
to  crush  the  Roman  Church. 

No  person,  whatever  his  religious  beliefs,  can  deny 

that  the  barbarity  with  which  Catholics  were  treated 

forms  a  very  dark  blot  on  "  the  spacious  times  of  great 

Elizabeth  "  and  on  the  reign  of  her  successor.     Excuses 

1  Challoner's  Martyrs  to  the  Catholic  Faith,  1878,  I.,  1 12. 


OLD  ENGLISH  BALLADS 

9 

for  this  barbarity  are  at  the  present  time  superfluous,^ 
though    many — some    of    them    logical    enough — have 
been   presented   by   the   historians.     It   is    a    sufficient 
explanation  to  say  that  real  religious  tolerance  was  still 
unheard  of,  on  the  Continent  as  well  as  in  England — 
and,  unhappily,  intolerance  is  not  the  exclusive  posses 
sion  of  any  age  or  any  religion.     The  very  people  (surely 
it  is  permissible  for  a  ballad-editor  to  moralize  !)  who   I 
to-day    express    the    greatest    horror    at    the    religious || 
persecutions  of  "  Bloody  "  Mary  and  Elizabeth,  in  times 
long  past,  are  often  quite  unmoved  when  Christians  in   I 
Armenia  are  massacred  on  a  scale  never  dreamed  of  by 
these  Queens,  or  when  in  race  riots,  for  the  mere  accident 
of  colour,  unoffending  men  and  women  are  subjected 
to  tortures  that  sometimes  surpass  those  of  the  Tower 
and    the    Inquisition.     Glover,    Lewes,    and    Thewlis 
(Nos.  7,  9,  13)  represent  three  phases  of  religious  per 
secution,  all  to  be  deplored  alike. 

As  a  result  of  censorship  of  the  press,  most  extant 
ballads  and  poems  give  an  altogether  one-sided  view 
of  the  years  1558-1625.  Unless  written  as  denuncia 
tions  (like  No.  10),  ballads  on  Catholic  martyrs  had 
small  chance  of  being  printed,  less  chance  still  of  being 
widely  circulated,  and  almost  no  chance  of  being  pre 
served.  There  are  extant  many  Elizabethan  and 
Jacobean  ballads  which  treat  of  recusants  from  the  point 
of  view  of  Protestants.  But  ballads  written  by  Catholics 
have  been  conspicuous  by  their  absence  and  are  unknown 
to  historians.  A  partial  exception  to  this  statement  is 
the  group  of  poems  printed  secretly  in  a  book  called 
A  true  report  of  the  martyrdom  of  M.  Campion,  Jesuit,1 
— a  book  burlesqued  by  Antony  Munday  with  what 
Hallam  called  "a  savageness  and  bigotry  which  I  am 
sure  no  scribe  of  the  Inquisition  could  have  surpassed.3 

It  would,  however,   be  a  serious  mistake  to  believe 

1  See  the  introduction  to  No.  10.  Certain  other  poems  connected, 
in  one  way  or  another,  with  Catholic  martyrs  are  given  in  the  Ballad 
Society's  Ballads  from  MSS.,  II.,  xxiii.,  191. 

xxii 


INTRODUCTION 

that  Catholic  ballads  did  not  exist.     Valuable  evidence 
to  the  contrary  is  furnished  in  the  one  place  where  it 
is  least  to  be  expected— in  the  Registers  of  the  Stationers' 
Company.     Thus  in  the  year  1565-66  it  is  recorded  that 
Alexander  Lacy  licensed  for  publication  a  ballad  called 
"  a    Replye    agaynste    that    sedicious    and    papesticall 
wretten   ballet  late  caste  abrode  in  the  stretes  of   the 
Cetie  of  London."     What  was  evidently  a  similar  work, 
"  a  Papisticall  Byll,  cast  in  the  streetes  of  Northampton, 
and  brought  before  the  ludges  at  the  last  Syses,  1570," 
called  forth  an  answer  from  T.  Knell,  which  has  sur 
vived  in  a  single  printed  broadside.1     On  July  7,  1601, 
was  licensed  a  book  called  A  short  poeme  conteyning  an 
answere  to  certen  godles  and  seditious  balledes  spred  abroad 
in  Lancashire.     Lancashire  was  the  home  of  the  Catholic 
ballads  here  printed  from  Addit.  MS.   15,225,  and  it 
is  probable  that  some  of  them,  particularly  the  ballad 
on  the  four  priests   executed  in  1600-1  (No.  11),  were 
alluded  to  in  the  1601  Short  Poem.     On  May  22,  1602, 
Simon   Stafford  registered  a  book  called  an  Answere  to 
A  popishe  Ryme  Lately  prynted  and  intituled  "  A  proper 
newe  Ballad  wherein   are  conteined  Catholycke  questions 
to  the  protestant."  *    Two  years   later— on  August  31, 
1604— Samuel  Heiron  secured  a  license  for  An  Answere 
to  A  popishe  Rime  latelie  scatered  abroade  in  the  weste 
panes    much    Relyed  vppon    by   some    simply    seduced* 
Finally,    the   fourteenth   ballad   in   this  collection  was 
licensed  for  publication  in  1586;    another  (No.  ^ 24)  was 
entered  in  the  Stationers'  Registers  for  transfer  in  1624, 
as  an  old  ballad ;  and  another  (No.  25)  had  appeared 
in  a  book  of  Catholic  poems  in  1601. 

There  can,  then,  be  no  question  about  the  circulation, 

1  H.  L.  Collmann's  Ballads  and  Broadsides,  1912,  p.  171. 

2  There  are  copies  of  this  book   in   the   British  Museum  and  the 
Cambridge  University  Library. 

3  See  Arber's  Transcript,  L,   311  ;  HI.,  l87>  2°6>  ^9.     There  are 
copies  of  Heiron's  book   in  the   British   Museum   and   the 
(Ashmole,  995). 

xxiii 


OLD  ENGLISH  BALLADS 

both  in  manuscript  and  in  print,  of  Catholic  ballads. 
The  chief  interest  of  this  volume  lies  in  the  fifteen 
unique  Catholic  ballads  of  the  years  1586-1616 
(Nos.  11-25)  it  contains:  they  furnish  a  striking  con 
trast  to  the  five  Catholic  ballads  (Nos.  2-6)  of  Queen 
Mary's  reign,  and  to  Nos.  26-28,  which  are  bitterly 
Protestant.  Some  of  the  fifteen  were  written  in  prison 
by  priests ;  over  all  hangs  the  shadow  of  Tyburn  ;  so 
that  wholly  unlooked-for  is  the  calm  resignation  of  tone, 
the  lack  of  bitterness,  the  absence  of  invective.  Narrow 
religious  beliefs  do  occasionally  present  themselves  : 
there  is  a  mournful  account  of  the  evils  heresy  has 
brought  on  the  kingdom  (No.  20),  a  sarcastic  rhyme  on 
the  hypocrisy  of  Puritans  (No.  19),  and  a  description 
of  heaven,  from  which  heretics  are,  as  a  matter  of 
course,  excluded  (No.  22)  ;  but  after  the  tirades  of 
Antony  Munday  and  the  bigoted  rejoicings  in  the  anti- 
Papist  ballads  of  William  Elderton  (cf.  No.  10),  Thomas 
Deloney,  and  Martin  Parker  (No.  28),-7it  is  pleasant  to 
find  in  these  Catholic  poems  a  semblance  of  charity  and 
a  piety  wholly  free  from  thoughts  of  personal  vengeance. 
The  writers  were  firmly  convinced  of  the  justice  of 
their  cause.  They  look  forward  with  equanimity — 
professedly  with  real  longing — to  the  rack  and  the  halter, 
with  the  comforting  thought  that  through  torture  and 
death  they  will  be  made  fit  to  associate  with  the  apostles 
and  saints.  Schematically  pictured  in  their  minds  is 
the  New  Jerusalem  (Nos.  22-25),  which,  down  to'  the 
smallest  peach  and  plum,  is  a  place  of  never-ending 
material  joys.  Intent  on  preparing  themselves  for  the 
attainment  of  this  heavenly  bliss,  the  authors  were 
not  particularly  concerned  with  thoughts  of  revenge. 
The  heretics  temporarily  in  control  of  England  will 
have  no  place  in  the  Land  of  Joy,  they  believe  :  that  is 
punishment  enough  !  No  better  ballad  was  ever 
written  than  "  The  Song  of  the  Death  of  Mr  Thewlis  " 
(No.  13).  And  while,  like  most  of  the  other  ballads,  it 
has  small  pretensions  to  poetry,  it  unquestionably  has 

xxiv 


INTRODUCTION 

genuine  pathos,  personal  interest,  and  historical  value. 
The  five  Catholic  ballads  of  Mary's  reign  illustrate  an 
intolerance  and  a  bigotry  with  which  everybody  is 
familiar  :  perhaps  the  fifteen  manuscript  ballads  of  the 
reigns  of  Elizabeth  and  James,  portraying  an  intolerance 
and  a  bigotry  often  glossed  over  or  even  unknown,  will 
aid  in  giving  a  truer  historical  perspective. 

Of  the  other  ballads  in  the  volume  little  need  be  said 
here,  as  all  essential  facts  are  given  in  the  separate 
introductions.  Attention  should,  however,  be  called  to 
the  comparatively  large  number  that  were  entered  in 
the  Stationers'  Registers  and  are  here  first  identified 
and  printed.  Religious  verse  enjoyed  great  vogue  m 
Elizabeth's  day.  Ninetnetri^^ 


. 

with  music,  are  said  to  have  been  printed  during  the 
Pen5a~Ts6o-i6oo.      Poets    like    Googe,     Turbervile, 
Whetstone,  Edwards,  and  Churchyard  contributed  their 
full    quota;     professional  ballad-mongers,   either    from 
expediency  or  taste,  followed  their   example  ;    so  that 
there  was  an  enormous  production  of  "  pious  chansons. 
Of  this  flood  of  verse,  the  ballads  of  piety  here  reprinted 
are    thoroughly    representative.     Most    of    them    are 
sicklied  o'er  with  didacticism,  a  few  (like  Nos.  53  and  63) 
are  pleasant  little  poems  ;   all  are  an  effective  answer  to 
those  critics  (and  their  name  is  legion)  who  persist  in 
describing  non-traditional  ballads  as  "  lewd  and  scur 
rilous  journalism."     Fearful  warnings  of  the  imminence 
of  Death  and  the  Judgment  Day  abound  (Nos.  42  et  seqj, 
as  do  invectives  against  pride  (Nos.  43,  49)  and  the  sins 
of    society    (Nos.    51,    52)-     Several    are    melancholy 
lamentations  by  sinners,  whose  penitence  demanded  a 
poetical  outlet  (Nos.  30,  55,  57)  ;   others  a.re  ™°salcs  °f 
general  advice  on  holy  living  and  holy  dying  (Nos.  38, 
30    54).     There  are,   also,   didactic  ballads  on  Tobias 
(No.  36)  and  Job  (No.  33)  ;ya  pretty  Christmas  carol 
(No.  41)  ;  and  a  pleasant  song  on  friendship  (No.  37). 
The  miscellaneous  ballads  (Nos.  64-75)  include  a  burlesque 
song  on  the  Gunpowder  Plot,  a  scornful  attack  on  the 


XXV 


OLD  ENGLISH  BALLADS 

Scotch  beggars  who,  after  1603,  overran  England, 
"  good-night  "  by  Mrs  Sanders,  a  delightful  ballad  on 
drunkenness,  and  "  A  Very  Pretty  Song  "  in  which  a 
lover  tunefully  narrates  his  woes.  The  volume,  as  a 
whole,  presents  a  fairly  characteristic  collection  of 
Elizabethan  and  Jacobean  ballads.  Among  them  are 
many  that  would  have  ravished  the  ear  of  Mopsa  an<~ 
enriched  the  purse  of  Autolycus,  though  that  clever 
singer  would  keenly  regret  the  absence  of  ballads  of 
"  good  life "  and  of  miraculous  or  sensational  news. 
For  the  absence  of  these  subjects  the  piety  of  the  com 
pilers  of  the  two  principal  manuscripts  accounts.  But 
the  ballad  of  Good-Ale  and  the  sobs  of  Mrs  Sanders 
would  have  brought  to  Autolycus  and  his  audiences 
genuine  delight  and  edification. 


II 

Treatment  of  Printed,  Texts.  The  printed  ballads  in 
this  volume  are  reproduced  exactly,  except  for  the 
punctuation  (which  is  made  to  conform  to  modern 
usage)  and  for  obvious  printers'  errors,  such  as  inverted 
letters,  which  are  corrected  in  the  text  but  indicated 
in  the  notes.  In  a  few  instances,  dropped  letters  have 
been  inserted  in  square  brackets.  It  is  customary  to 
sneer  at  the  slovenliness  and  inaccuracy  of  the  ballad- 
press  :  a  comparison,  however,  of  early  ballads  with 
printed  books  of  the  same  period  will  show  that,  as  far 
as  accuracy  is  concerned,  one  is  quite  as  good  (or  as 
bad)  as  the  other.  Real  laxity  of  printing  began  after 
the  Restoration,  and  reached  its  climax  in  the  roman- 
letter  ballads  of  the  eighteenth  century.  Early  six 
teenth-century  ballads  (like  Nos.  1-6)  are,  on  the 
whole,  admirable  specimens  of  printing  ;  in  them  only 
black-letter  type,  unrelieved  by  roman  or  italics,  is 
used.  Later  (as  in  Nos.  9  and  28)  proper  nouns  and 
refrains  were,  with  more  or  less  consistency,  printed  in 

xxvi 


INTRODUCTION 

roman,  or  "  white,"  letter,— a  custom  imitated  in 
this  book,  where  black-letter  type  is  represented  by 
roman  and  roman  by  italics.  In  the  case  of  the  Mb. 
ballads,  I  have  followed  this  scheme  much  more  con 
sistently  than,  as  a  matter  of  fact,  the  printed  ballads 
do  :  there  are,  for  example,  many  proper  nouns  not 
italicized  in  No.  10. 

Treatment  of  the  MSS.  In  all  essential  particulars 
the  MSS.  are  reproduced  in  their  present  state.  Con 
ventional  abbreviations  and  contractions,  such  as  y,  y, 
wch,  fcf,  and  the  like,  are  here  of  no  importance,  and 
have  been  expanded  without  notice  ;  while  the  ^use  of 
capital  or  small  letters  at  the  beginning  of  lines  is 
normalized.  Elsewhere  the  use  of  capital  and  ^smali 
letters  strictly  follows  the  MSS.,  as  does  the  variation 
between  u  and  v,  i  and  j.  The  spelling  of  the  MSS., 
always  uncertain,  is  reproduced  exactly.  Many  obvious 
errors  are  allowed  to  stand  in  the  text,  but  corrections 
are  indicated  in  the  foot-notes.  Occasionally,  missing 
words  or  dropped  letters  have  been  supplied  within 
square  brackets.  The  punctuation  of  the  MSS.  is  scanty 
and  haphazard  ;  it  has  been  disregarded,  and  modern 
pointing  substituted. 

'  Location  of  the  MSS.  With  the  exception  of  the 
Rawlinson  MSS.,  in  the  Bodleian  Library,  all  the  MSS. 
used  in  the  preparation  of  this  volume  are  preserved  in 
the  British  Museum.  Only  the  two  basic  MSS., 
Additional  15,225  and  Sloane  1896,  demand  a  detailed 
description  ;  but  in  regard  to  MS.  Rawlinson  Poet.  185, 
from  which  three  ballads  have  been  taken,  it  may  be 
said  that  this  MS.  (dating  about  1592)  has  been  fully 
described  and  partially  reprinted  in  the  Reverend 
Andrew  Clark's  Sbirburn  Ballads  (Oxford,  1907),  and 
that  it  is  edited  in  Herrig's  Archiv,  1904  (vol.  114, 
pp.  326-57),  though  so  inaccurately  as  to  have  little 
value.  .  . 

Additional  MS.  15,225  was  purchased  by  the  British 
Museum  on  June  18,  1844,  at  the  .Bright  Sale,  lot  188. 

xxvii 


OLD  ENGLISH  BALLADS 

It  is  a  small,  neat  quarto  of  sixty  leaves,  size  6x7!  inches, 
without  title-page  or  list  of  contents,  and  part  of  th< 
original  MS.  has  been  lost.  The  page-numbering 
the  compiler  runs  from  I  to  124.  Pages  95-98,  however, 
are  missing,  while  at  the  bottom  of  page  124  (  =  the 
present  fol.  6ov)  there  is  a  title,  "  A  Godly  Exhortation 
to  Love  by  the  Parable  of  Our  Saviour  Christ.  To 
the  Queen's  Almaine"  but  the  leaves  that  contained 
this  ballad,  and  probably  others,  have  disappeared. 
The  volume  has  suffered  at  the  hands  of  binders,  various 
margins  being  clipped  so  closely  as  to  have  injured  the 
text  ;  many  of  the  leaves  are  stained  by  damp,  on  others 
holes  have  been  eaten  through  by  inferior  ink,  several 
have  torn  edges,  some  of  which  are  mended.  Never 
theless,  the  MS.  can  be  said  to  be  in  good  condition, 
and  the  scholarly  Jacobean  handwriting  is  everywhere 
clear  and  legible. 

The  date  of  compilation  is  about  1616.  A  ballad 
(No.  12)  on  fol.  22V  deals  with  the  priest  Thewlis,  who 
was  executed  in  1616,  and  this  appears  to  represent  the 
latest  date  in  the  MS.  A  ballad  on  fol.  31  (No.  n) 
is  concerned  with  events  of  the  years  1600  and  1601  : 
others  originally  date  back  to  1560-65,  but  were  un 
doubtedly  copied  from  later  broadside  issues. 

It  is  a  curious  fact  that  this  MS.,  though  known  to 
many  scholars  and  often  referred  to,  has  so  long  escaped 
a  careful  examination.  Collier  frequently  mentioned 
it,  Halliwell-Phillipps  and  William  Chappell  appear  to 
have  glanced  through  it,  and  in  more  recent  days  cer 
tain  Catholic  investigators  have  given  it  a  cursory 
view.  The  remarkable  nature  of  its  contents  has  not 
been  appreciated,  and  the  ballads  have  remained 
unknown  to  students.  There  are  in  all  thirty-five 
separate  compositions,  including  one  partial  duplicate 
of  the  first  ballad  in  the  MS.  and  a  brief  prose  work.1 
Fifteen  of  the  ballads  are  distinctly  Catholic  produc 
tions  :  most  of  the  others  are  religious  or  moralizing 
1  See  Appendix  II. 
xxviii 


INTRODUCTION 

verses  with  no  apparent  theological  bias ;  but  there  is 
also  a  long  Catholic  poem  on  the  life  of  Christ,1  a 
splendid  burlesque  on  drunkenness  (No.  67),  and  an 
historical  ballad  on  Buckingham  and  Bannister  (No.  69). 
The  MS.  is  reprinted  entire,  with  the  following 
exceptions  : — 

1.  "A  dolfull  daunce  and  song  of  death  Intituled: 
the  shakeing  of  the  sheetes.   .   .   .  Finis.     Thomas  Hill," 
fols.  15-16. 

[There  are  many  printed  copies  of  this  ballad  (see  the  Roxburghe 
Ballads,  III.,  184),  but  none  of  them  is  signed.] 

2.  "  A  song  in  praise  of  a  Ladie,"  fols.  i6-i6v. 

[This  poem,  attributed  to  John  Heywood  and  licensed  in  1 5  60-6 1 
and  1566-67  for  broadside  issue,  is  printed  in  Tottel 's  Miscellany,  ed. 
Edward  Arber,  pp.  163  f.] 

3.  A  poem  beginning  "  My  mind  to  me  a  kingdom  is," 
fols.  43-43-. 

[The  work  of  Sir  Edward  Dyer  ;  printed  in  William  Byrd's  Psalmes, 
1588,  John  Forbes's  Cantus,  Songs  and  Fancies,  1666,  Clark's  Shtrbum 
Ballads,  and  elsewhere.  Entered  for  transfer  as  an  old  ballad  at 
Stationers'  Hall  on  December  14,  1624.] 

4.  "  A  dittie  most  excelent  for  euerie  man  to  reade, 
that  doth  intend  for  to  amende  and  to  repent  with 
speede.     To  the  tune  of  a  rich  marchant  man,  or  John, 
come  Kiss  me  now"  fols.  56-58. 

[This  poem,  beginning  "  Who  loveth  to  live  in  peace,"  is  printed  in 
Totter  s  Miscellany,  ed.  Arber,  p.  205.  It  was  registered  as  a  ballad  on 
September  4,  I  5  64.] 

That  an  ardent  Catholic  compiled  the  MS.  is  obvious. 
An  identification  of  him  with  "  Father  Laurence 
Anderton  alias  John  Brerely  "  has  been  proposed  by 
J.  H.  Pollen,  who  adds  :  "  It  is  quite  possible  that 
Anderton  should  have  composed  some  and  collected 

1  See  Appendix  I. 
xxix 


OLD  ENGLISH  BALLADS 

the  rest." l  I  do  not  feel  competent  to  judge  the 
probability  of  this  suggestion.  But  the  mildness  and 
resignation  expressed  in  these  fugitive  poems  speak  well 
for  the  charity  of  the  author,  whoever  he  was.  The 
compiler  has  also  preserved  certain  pious  ditties  that  were 
perhaps  the  work  of  Protestants,  as  well  as  a  jocular 
ballad  on  the  exploits  of  Master  Good-Ale.  It  is  a 
pity  that  some  of  his  work  is  lost.  Yet  even  as  it  stands, 
this  MS.  is  unique  among  ballad-anthologies,  and  is  far 
from  being  the  least  important. 

Sloane  A1S.  1896  is  a  small  oblong  quarto  of  fifty- 
nine  leaves,  about  4$  x  8  inches  in  size,  which  have 
been  cut  out  of  their  original  covers,  pasted  on  heavy 
flaps,  and  rebound.  There  is  a  Table  of  Contents,  and 
this  Table,  the  original  foliation,  and  the  entire  MS., 
save  for  two  pages  (fols.  9v-io),  are  in  a  single  neat, 
well-formed,  Elizabethan  hand.  The  second  hand  is 
scrawling  and  illiterate,  possibly  that  of  some  child. 
The  MS.  is  well  preserved,  except  that  a  few  margins 
have  been  pared  too  closely  and  that  on  several  pages 
the  ink  has  faded  so  badly  as  to  be  almost  indecipherable. 
In  recent  years  the  foliation  has  been  changed  so  as  to 
include  several  unrelated  sheets  of  parchment  that  have 
been  bound  in  at  the  beginning.  Among  scribbles  on 
an  otherwise  blank  sheet  at  the  end  of  the  MS. 
occur  the  names  k<  Thomas  hatcheman,"  "  Thomas 
hachemane,"  and  "  John  Blounte,"  all  in  the  neat  writing 
of  the  chief  compiler  of  the  MS.,  though  the  second 
hand  has  also  repeated  the  name  of  "  Thomas  Hache- 
man/'  Perhaps  Hachman  or  Blount  compiled  or  owned 
the  MS. 

The  latest  date  is  1576:  this  occurs  in  "A  Godly 
and  Virtuous  Song  Made  by  the  Honourable  the  Earl 
of  Essex,  Late  Deceased  in  A.D.  1576 "  (fols.  58-59), 
with  which  the  MS.  ends.  There  is  no  reason  to 
believe  that  any  part  of  the  MS.  is  of  a  later  date.  It 

1  The   English   Martyrs,  Catholic   Record   Society's  Publications,  V 
3*5. 


XXX 


INTRODUCTION 

is  a  collection  of  pious  songs  and  ballads,  quite  un 
relieved  by  humour  or  satire,  most  of  them  devoid  of 
poetry,  but  a  few  (like  No.  53)  of  considerable  merit. 
The  gem  of  the  MS.  is  the  "  good-night  "  of  Mrs 
Anne  Sanders,  heroine  of  the  Elizabethan  play,  A 
Warning  for  Fair  Women  (No.  68).  Twenty-four  ballads 
and  poems  are  not  reprinted  from  the  MS.  These 
include  "  A  Godly  Song  in  Commendation  of  Mr 
John  Bradford,"  and  five  ballad-poems  by  Robert 
Smith,  familiar  because  of  their  inclusion  in  Foxe's 
Book  of  Martyrs l ;  five  poems  that  appear  in  TotteVs 
Miscellany 2 ;  and  the  Essex  ballad  previously  men 
tioned.3  The  compiler  of  Sloane  MS.  1896  was  a 
devout  Protestant ;  his  work  affords  an  interesting  con 
trast  to  that  in  Addit.  MS.  15,225. 

Order  of  the  Ballads.  In  this  volume  the  ballads  are 
grouped  according  to  subjects,  but  within  groups  the 
sequence  of  the  MSS.  is  retained  as  closely  as  possible. 

1  Foxe's  Acts  and  Monuments,  ed.  Townsend,  VII.,  195,  356  ff. 

2  Totters  Miscellany,  ed.  Arber,  pp.  25,  1 10,  142,  205,  256. 

3  Printed  in  the  Paradise  of  Dainty  Devises,  1578,  ed.  Collier,  p.  136; 
in   the  Camden  Society  Miscellany,    1855,  Vol.   III.;   in    Farr's  Select 
Poetry  of  the  Reign  of  Elizabeth,  I.,  316;   in  Grosart's  Fuller  Worthies 
Miscellany,  IV.,    102   f.     On   the  matter  of  authorship  see  Notes  and 
Queries,  4th  Series,  III.,  361,  and  the  Dictionary  of  National  Biography. 


XXXI 


Considering  oft  the  state  of  man 

A  unique  copy  of  this  ballad  is  preserved  in  the  British  Museum, 
press-mark  C.  18  e.  I  (88).     It  is  printed  in  black  letter  on  a  folio 
broadside  in  two  columns ;  there  are  no  woodcuts,  but  a  large  orna 
mental  C  begins  the  first  line.     The  ballad  has  not  been  reprinted,  and 
appears  in  no  ballad  collection,  but  is  reproduced  in  facsimile  in  Richard 
rarnett's  Accession  of  Queen  Mary   (1892).     A  copy  of  it,   made  by 
[erbert,  is  referred  to  in  Herbert-Ames's  Typographical  Antiquities,  II., 
126. 

To  present  the  historical  situation  briefly :  the  Duke  of  Northumber- 
id  had  prevailed  upon  Edward  VI.  to  disinherit  both  Mary  and 
lizabeth  in  favour  of  Lady  Jane  Grey,  who  was  proclaimed  Queen  on 
ily  10,  1553.  Three  days  later  Mary  was  proclaimed  Queen  at 
lorwich  ;  a  similar  proclamation  was  made  at  London,  after  the 
>llapse  of  Northumberland's  army,  on  July  19  (cf.  stanza  10).  From 
anza  10,  with  its  reference  to  "this  month  of  July,"  it  is  obvious  that 
ic  ballad  was  written  and  printed  after  July  25,  when  Northumberland 
ras  sent  to  the  Tower  (cf.  stanza  12,  line  2),  and  before  August  I. 
[ary  was  crowned  on  October  i . 

As  a  contemporary  account  of  the  joy  with  which  the  proclamation  of 
[ary  was  welcomed  in  London,  the  ballad  is  of  rare  interest  ;  and  it  is 
)propriate  that  this  volume,  which  contains  ballads  on  both  Protestant 
id  Catholic  martyrs,  should  open  with  a  ballad-poet's  eulogy  of  Mary, 
greatly  misunderstood  and  too  much  reviled  Queen.  The  poet 
limself  was  not  concerned  with  Mary's  religious  views :  indeed,  though 
speaks  of  her  "  leading  the  perfect  dance  of  godliness "  (stanza  8),  he 
probably  knew  little  or  nothing  of  them,  and  may  well  have  been  a 
Protestant.  That  he  was  a  Protestant  seems  to  be  indicated  by  his 
eulogy  of  Edward  VI.  (stanza  7)  and  by  the  striking  absence  of  comment 
on  the  ill-fated  Protestant  Queen,  Lady  Jane.  His  joy,  like  that  of  the 
people  at  large,  arose  from  the  knowledge  that  Mary's  accession  would 
put  an  end  to  the  power  and  tyranny  of  the  Duke  of  Northumberland. 
Very  interesting  indeed  are  his  bitter  comments  (stanza  12)  on  the 
Duke.  Perhaps  it  would  be  a  better  thing  for  all  concerned  if  our 
ideas  of  Mary,  Elizabeth,  Lady  Jane,  Northumberland,  and  the'  other 
leading  persons  of  that  time  came  from  Ainsworth's  admirable,  but 
almost  forgotten,  romance  of  The  Tower  of  London, — just  as  the  ideas  of 
almost  all  English-speaking  persons  about  Henry  V.  and  Richard  III.  (cf. 
stanzas  2-4)  come  from  Shakespeare's  plays. 


CONSIDERING  OFT  THE  STATE  OF  MAN 

The  initials  T.  W.  may  be  assumed  to  be  those  of  Thomas  Watertoune, 
whose  name  is  signed  to  a  ballad  of  slightly  later  date  in  MS.  Ashmole 
48  (Thomas  Wright's  Songs  and  Ballads  chiefly  of  the  Reign  of  Philip  and 
Mary,  p.  n). 

a  ninuertjwe  agap0t  ereagon, 

11  Remember  well,  o  mortall  man,  to  whom  god  geueth 

reason, 
How  he  truly,  most  ryghtfully,  doth  alwayes  punyshe 

treason. 


Consyderyng  oft  the  state  of  man,  and  of  this  mortall 

lyfe, 

which  is  but  short  and  very  ful  of  mutabylyte, 

I  called  to  remembraunce  the  hateful  war  and  stryfe 

Which  hath  ben  don  within  this  realm e  thrugh  gret 

iniquite, — 

In  clymyng  to  achyue  the  crowne  &  reyal  dingnyte 
Of  this  kyngdome,  now  called  England,  but  somtyme 

greate  bretain, 
And  howe  by  false  and  ranke  traytours  the  kynges  they 

haue  ben  slayne. 

[2]  I 

What    moued   the    Duke   of    Glocester,    Edwarde   the 

fourthes  brother, 

Of  his  two  natural  Neuewes,  by  lyneall  dissent, 
Sekyng  of  them  distruction,  and  also  of  the  queene  their 

mother, 
But  that  he  the  ryghtfull  rayne  of  them  he  falsely  myght 

preuent  ? 
Styll  workynge  tyl  he  had  brought  to  passe  his  false  and 

yll  entent, 

[i]  3  stryfe  :  text  has  stryle  ;  5  reyal  .dingntye  :  read,  regal  dignity. 
[2]  I    Duke  :   better  known  as  King  Richard  III. ;   2  dissent  :   i.e. 
descent. 


CONSIDERING  OFT  THE  STATE  OF  MAN 

by  murtherynge  the  innocentes,  that  he  him  selfe  myght 

raygne, 
Yet  lyke  a  noughty  false  traytour  at  Boseworth  was  he 

slayne. 


He  neuer  rested  tyll  he  had  made  away  his  owne  naturall 

brother, 
George,  the  good  duke  of  clarence,  that  noble  prince 

truly ; 
Causyng  the  kynge  to  graunt  therto,  for  it  wolde  be  none 

other, 
For  which  wycked  fact  sone  afterwarde  the  kynge  was 

ryght  sory, 

That  in  a  but  of  Malmesey  the  man  was  forst  to  dye, 
Within  the  towre,  as  wel  was  knowen,  the  story  is  ryght 

playne  ; 
Yet  at  the  last  this  ranke  traytour  at  boseworth  was  he 

slayne. 

w 

11  He  eke  slewe  with  a  short  dagger  that  mylde  Henry 

the  sext, 

Remaynynge  in  the  towre  vntyl  his  lyf e  he  did  there  end  ; 
That  he  to  were  the  crowne,  therby,  myght  surely  be 

the  next. 
Thus  to  murther  and  false  treason  he  dyd  him  selfe 

extende, 
Vntyll  suche  tyme,  most  ryghtfully,  god  brought  him 

to  his  ende  ; 

Leuyng  hym  in  tyranny  no  lenger  for  to  raygne, 
But  at  the  last,  for  his  desartes,  at  Boseworth  was  he 

slayne. 

[2]  7    Boseworth :    i.e.    Bosworth    Field,    where    Henry   VII.    slew 
Richard  III. 

[3]  3  kynge  :  i.e.  Henry  VI.  ;  5  man  :  i.e.  the  Duke  of  Clarence. 
[4]  3  were  :  i.e.  wear. 

3 


CONSIDERING  OFT  THE  STATE  OF  MAN 

7:          [5] 
Lyke  treasone  to  our  last  Henry  was  wrought  by  haynous 


spyght 
olde 


By  olde  Hemson  and  by  Dudley,   as   traytours   most 

vntrue  ; 
At  Rychemond  was  their  full  entent  to  haue  distroy'd 

him  quyght, 
That  their  malicious  purpose  myght  there  forthwith 

ensue. 
But  god  out  of  this  present  lyfe  awaye  them  streyght  he 

drue, 
Takyng  their  heades  from  their  bodyes,  which  thyng 

is  most  certayne  ; 
So,  not  vnlyke  to  false  traytours,  they  both  were  iustly 

slayne. 

[6] 

Yet  many  treasons  mo  were  done  agaynst  this  noble 

kynge 

By  dyuers  men  of  wyckednes,  as  is  most  euydent, 
But  god  alwayes,  of  his  goodnes,  reueled  their  dowynge,. 
So  that  theyr  euyl  deuysed  thynges  he  euer  dyd  preuent, 
That  no  myscheuous  traytour  could  obtayne  his  owne 

entent  ; 
But  al  theyr  crafty  false  treasons,  which  deuelyshely  they 

wrought, 
Were   ryght   sone   serched   out   truly,    and   ryght   sone 

brought  to  nought. 

[7] 

But    out,    alas,    the    noughty   sede    of    traytours   hath 

increased, 
And  spronge  vp  very  hastely,  nowejn  his  sonnes  dayes,  — 

[5]  i  Henry  :  i.e.  Henry  VIII.  ;  2  for  Edmund  Dudley  and  Sir 
Richard  Empson,  who  were  executed  on  Tower  Hill  on  August  i8x 
1510,  see  the  D.  N.  B.  ;  3  Rychemond  :  /.^.Richmond. 

[6]  3  dowynge  :  i.e.  doing  =  acts. 


CONSIDERING  OFT  THE  STATE  OF  MAN 

Edwarde  the  syxt,  forsoth  I  meane,  whom  god  hath 

now  displaced, 
Which  sought  and   mynded   goddes  glory,   entendyng 

vertuous  wayes,  — 
With  him  and  his  two  vncles  deare  they  made  dyuers 

assayes, 
Vntyll  such  tyme  as  they  cought  them,  in  theyr  most 

crafty  trayne, 
And   so  workyng   most  wyckedly  the  ryghteous   haue 

they  slayne. 


At  last  they  dyd  attempt  agaynst  theyr  lyege  Lady  and 

Queene, 

Mary,  by  the  grace  of  god  of  Englande  and  of  Fraunce, 
And  also  ryght  heyre  of  Irelande,  most  comly  to  be  sene, 
Whom  the  myghty  lorde  perserue  from  all  hurt  and 

myschaunce  ; 

For  she  to  ioyful  godlynes  ledeth  the  parfect  daunce  : 
Whom  god  at  her  great  nede  doth  helpe,  workynge 

nothyng  in  vayyne, 
Subdueth  to  her  her  enemies  al,  which  wrought  with 

dredful  trayne  : 


[9] 

When  they  forth  went,  lyke  men  they  were,  most  fearefull 

to  beholde  ; 
Of  force  and  eke  of  pusaunt  power  they  semed  very 

stronge  ; 
In  theyr  attemptes,   also,  they  were  both  fearse  and 

wonders  bolde. 

[7]  5  vncles :  i.e.  the  Duke  of  Somerset,  Lord  Protector,  and  Lord 
Seymour.  The  first  of  these  "dear  uncles,"  Edward  VI.,  at  the 
instigation  of  the  Duke  of  Northumberland,  allowed  to  be  executed. 
There  is  a  heartless  comment  on  this  execution  in  the  young  King's 
diary. 

[9]  2  pusaunt :  i.e.  puissant ;  3  wonders :  read  wondrous. 

5 


I 


CONSIDERING  OFT  THE  STATE  OF  MAN 

If  god  wolde  haue  ben  helper  to  such  as  stryueth  in  the 

wronge  — 
But  at  the  last  he  helped  vs,  though  we  thought  it  ryght 

longe. 
The  Nobles  here  proclaymed  her  queene,  in  voydyng 

of  all  blame  ; 
Wherfore   prayse  we   the   lorde   aboue,   and   magnyfie 

his  name. 

[10] 

Which  thyng  was  done  the  .xix.  day  of  this  moneth  of 


The  yere  of  God  .xv.  hundred  fyfty  addynge  thre, 

In  the  Cytie  of  glad  London,  proclaymed  most  ioyfully, 

Where  cappes  and  syluer  plenteously  about  the  stretes 

dyd  flye  : 
The  greatest  ioy  and  most  gladnes  that  in  this  realme 

myght  be, 
The  trumpettes  blewe  vp  all  on  hye  our  Marie's  royall 

fame. 
Let  vs,  therfore,  styll  gloryfy  and  prayse  his  holy  name. 


The    nobles    all    consented    than    together,    with    one 

accorde, 
To  go  to  Paules  churche,  euery  man,  to  gyue  thankes 

vnto  the  lorde  ; 
Wheras  they  harde  a  songe  of  praise,  as  custome  it  hath 

bene, 
To  rendre  thankes  to  god  alwayes  for  the  victorie  of  our 

queene. 
Suche  chere  was  made  in  euery  strete  as  no  man  can 

expresse, 
In  settyng  forth  wyne  and  plentie  of  meate  and  fyers  of 

much  gladnes  ; 

[9]  7  magnyfie  :  text  has  mangnyfie. 

[  1  1  ]  I  than  :  read  then  ;  3  wheras  :  pertaps  whereat 

6 


CONSIDERING  OFT  THE  STATE  OF  MAN 

Such  myrth  was  made  in  euery  place  as  the  lyke  was  neuer 

scene, 
That  god  had  shewed  on  vs  his  grace  in  geuyng  a  ryghtful 

queene. 


_ 

And  where  as  he  went  forth  full  glad,  as  prince  both 

stout  and  bolde, 
He  came  a  traytour  in  full  sad,  with  hart  that  myght 

be  colde  ;  — 
The  same  whom  al  before  dyd  feare,  and  were  in  most 

subiection, 
The  people  wolde  in  peeces  teare,  yf  they  myght  haue 

election  ; 
The  same  for  whom  before  they  prayde,  reuyled  was  and 

curste, 
And  he  that  longe  the  swynge  hath  swayde  was  now 

most  vyle  &  worst. 

We  se,  therfore,  the  ouerthrowe  of  al  theyr  wicked  wayes, 
Howe  wicked  might  is  brought  furlowe,  to  god's  great 

Laude  &  prayse. 


tfte 


Imprynted  at  London  by  Roger  Madeley,  and  are 

to  be  solde  in  Paules  Church  yearde  at 

the  sygne  of  the  Starre. 

[12]  I  he  :  i.e.  the  Duke  of  Northumberland  ;  8  furlowe  :  read  full 
low. 


ittte.     qd.  T.  W. 


2 

The  God  above  for  marts  delight 

From  a  unique  broadside  in  the  Library  of  the  Society  of  Antiquaries, 
London  (Lemon's  Catalogue  of  Broadsides,  p.  12).  Black-letter  type  is 
used  throughout,  printed  in  two  columns,  no  cuts.  The  ballad  is  re 
printed  in  the  Har/eian  Miscellany  (1813),  X.,  253  f.  It  was  written  to 
eulogize  Mary  I.,  under  the  figure  of  the  Marigold,  shortly  after  her 
accession,  and  was  entered  at  Stationers'  Hall  for  reprinting  in  1569-70 
(Arber's  Transcript,  I.,  409).  The  author,  William  Forrest,  a  Catholic 
priest,  served  as  one  of  the  Queen's  chaplains,  and  was  a  musician  of 
some  skill.  There  is  a  sketch  of  his  life  in  the  Dictionary  of  National 
Biography. 

a  netn  balla&e  of  ttje  s^arigotoe. 


The  God  aboue,  for  man's  delight, 
Hath  heere  ordaynde  euery  thing,  — 
Sonne,  Moone,  and  Sterres,  shinyng  so  bright, 
with  all  kinde  fruites  that  here  doth  spring, 
And  Flowrs  that  are  so  flourishyng. 

Amonges  all  which  that  I  beholde, 
As  to  my  minde  best  contentyng, 

I  doo  commende  the  Marigolde. 


In  Veare  first  springeth  the  Violet ; 
The  Primerose,  then,  also  doth  spred  ; 
The  Couslip  sweete  abroade  doth  get  ; 
The  Daisye  gaye  sheweth  forth  her  hed 

[i]  2  ordaynde  :  read  ordayned. 
[2]  i  Veare  :  i.e.  ver  :  Spring. 

8 


THE  GOD  ABOVE  FOR  MAN'S  DELIGHT 

The  Medowes  greene,  so  garnished, 
Most  goodly,  truly,  to  beholde  ; 

For  which  God  is  to  be  Praised. 
Yet  I  commende  the  Marigolde. 


The  Rose  that  chearfully  doth  showe 
At  Midsomer,  her  course  hath  shee  ; 
The  Lilye  white  after  doth  growe  ; 
The  Columbine  then  see  may  yee  ; 
The  Jofiflowre  in  fresh  degree, 

with  sundrie  mo  then  can  be  tolde  : 
Though  they  neuer  so  pleasaunt  bee, 

Yet  I  commende  the  Marigolde. 

w 

Though  these  which  here  are  mencioned 

Bee  delectable  to  the  iye, 

By  whom  sweete  smelles  are  ministred, 

The  sense  of  man  to  satisfye, 

Yet  each  as  serueth  his  fantasye  ; 

wherfore  to  say  I  wyll  be  bolde, 
And  to  aduoide  all  flaterye, 

I  doo  commende  the  Marigolde. 

[5] 

All  these  but  for  a  time  doth  serue, 
Soone  come,  soone  gone,  so  doth  they  fare, 
At  feruent  heates  and  stormes  thei  sterue, 
Fadyng  away,  their  staulkes  left  bare. 
Of  that  I  praise,  thus  say  I  dare, 

Shee  sheweth  glad  cheare  in  heate  and  colde, 
Moche  profityng  to  hertes  in  care,  — 

Such  is  this  floure,  the  Marigolde. 

[3]  5  Joliflowre  :  i.e.  gillyflower. 
[4]  2  iye  :  i.e.  eye. 


THE  GOD  ABOVE  FOR  MAN'S  DELIGHT 

[6] 

This  Marigolde  Floure,  marke  it  well, 
with  Sonne  dooth  open,  and  also  shut  ; 
which  (in  a  meanyng)  to  vs  doth  tell 
To  Christ,  God's  Sonne,  our  willes  to  put, 
And  by  his  woorde  to  set  our  futte, 

Stiffly  to  stande,  as  Champions  bolde, 
From  the  truthe  to  stagger  nor  stutte,  — 

For  which  I  praise  the  Marigolde. 

[7] 

To  Marie,  our  Queene,  that  Floure  so  sweete, 

This  Marigolde  I  doo  apply, 

For  that  the  Name  doth  serue  so  meete 

And  properlee,  in  cache  partie  ; 

For  her  enduryng  paciently 

The  stormes  of  such  as  list  to  scolde 
At  her  dooynges,  with  cause  why, 

Loth  to  see  spring  this  Marigolde. 


. 

Shee  may  be  calde  Marigolde  well, 
Of  Marie  (chief  e),  Christ  es  mother  deere, 
That  as  in  heauen  shee  doth  excell, 
And  Golde  in  earth,  to  haue  no  peere  : 
So  (certainly)  shee  shineth  cleere, 

In  Grace  and  honour  double  folde, 
The  like  was  neuer  earst  seene  heere, 

Suche  is  this  floure,  the  Marigolde. 


Her  education  well  is  knowne, 

From  her  first  age  how  it  hath  wrought  ; 

In  singler  Vertue  shee  hath  growne, 

[6]  2  Sonne  :  i.e.  sun  ;   5  futte  :  i.e.  foot  ;  7  stutte  =  desist  from, 
[8]  6  honour  :  text  has  hononr. 
[9]  3  singler:  i.e.  singular. 

10 


THE  GOD  ABOVE  FOR  MAN'S  DELIGHT 

And  seruyng  God,  as  she  well  ought  ; 
For  which  he  had  her  in  his  thought, 

And  shewed  her  Graces  many  folde, 
In  her  estate  to  see  her  brought, 

Though  some  dyd  spite  this  Marigolde. 


[10] 

Yf  she  (in  faith)  had  erred  a-misse, 
which  God,  most  sure,  doth  vnderstande, 
wolde  hee  haue  doone,  as  proued  is, 
Her  Enmies  so  to  bring  to  hande  ? 
No,  be  ye  sure,  I  make  a  bande, 

For  seruying  him  he  needes  so  wolde 
Make  her  to  Reigne  ouer  Englande, — 

So  loueth  hee  this  Marigolde. 


Her  conuersacion,  note  who  list, 
It  is  more  heauenly  then  terraine, 
For  which  God  doth  her  Actes  assist ; 
All  meekenesse  doth  in  her  remaine. 
All  is  her  care,  how  to  ordayne 

To  haue  God's  Glorie  here  extolde  ; 
Of  Poore  and  Riche,  shee  is  most  fayne. 

Christ  saue,  therfore,  this  Marigolde. 


[12] 

Sith  so  it  is,  God  loueth  her, 

And  shee,  His  Grace,  as  doth  appeare  ; 

Ye  may  be  bolde  as  to  referre 

All  doubtfulnesse  to  her  most  cleare, 

[9]  8  some :  i.e.  Lady  Jane  Grey's  adherents. 

[10]  5  bande  =  bond. 

[i  i]  2  terraine  :  i.e.  terrene. 

II 


THE  GOD  ABOVE  FOR  MAN'S  DELIGHT 

That,  as  her  owne,  in  like  maneare 

She  wilth  your  welthes,  both  yong  &  olde, 

Obey  her,  then,  as  your  Queene  deare, 
And  say  :   Christ  saue  this  Marigolde. 

[13] 

Christ  saue  her  in  her  High  Estate, 
Therin  (in  rest)  long  to  endure  ; 
Christ  so  all  wronges  heere  mitigate 
That  all  may  be  to  his  pleasure  : 
The  high,  the  lowe,  in  due  measure, 

As  membres  true  with  her  to  holde, 
So  cache  to  be  thother's  treasure, 

In  cherishyng  the  Marigolde. 

[HI 

Be  thou  (O  God)  so  good  as  thus 
Thy  Perfect  Fayth  to  see  take  place  ; 
Thy  Peace  thou  plant  here  among  vs, 
That  Errour  may  go  hide  his  face. 
So  to  concorde  vs  in  eache  case, 

As  in  thy  Courte  it  is  enrol  de, 
wee  all  (as  one)  to  loue  her  Grace, 

That  is  our  Queene,  this  Marigolde. 


<90tr  tfstte  tftt 

Quod  WILLIAM  FORREST,  Freest. 

Imprinted  at  London  in  Aldersgate  strete  by  Richard  Lant. 
[12]  5  maneare  :  i.e.  manner  ;  6  wilth  :  i.e.  willeth. 


12 


3 

Hail  Queen  of  England^  of 
most  worthy  fame 

From  a  unique  broadside  in  the  Library  of  the  Society  of  Antiquaries, 
London  (Lemon's  Catalogue  of  Broadsides,  p.  12).  Printed  in  two 
columns,  black-letter  type  throughout,  no  woodcuts. 

This  striking  ballad  is  the  work  of  Leonard  Stopes,  an  English  priest, 
who,  after  the  death  of  Mary,  suffered  the  loss  of  his  Fellowship  at  St 
John's,  Oxford,  imprisonment  and,  later,  exile.  (See  the  sketch  in  the 
Dictionary  of  National  Biography.)  The  eulogy  of  "Bloody"  Mary  as  a 
mirror  of  merciful  meekness  has,  to  phrase  it  mildly,  an  unusual  sound  ; 
but,  in  any  case,  the  ballad  is  no  more  exaggerated  in  its  way  than  are 
the  later  eulogies  of  Queen  Elizabeth.  The  sincerity  of  the  priest, 
unlike  that  of  various  Elizabethan  poets,  is  not  open  to  question  :  the 
chief  reason  for  his  admiration  lay  in  the  "  great  travail "  Mary  took  to 
"weed  out  sects  and  schisms  and  horrible  errors"  (stanzas  3-4).  The 
prayer  (stanza  20)  that  Mary's  marriage  may  prove  fruitful,  expanded  at 
considerable  length,  forms  the  subject  of  the  ballad  next  following. 

an  AVE  MARIA  in  Commendation  of 
our  most  l9crtHou0  cuteene.    imprinted 

at  London,  in  Pater  Noster  Reaw,  by  Richard 
Lant. 

[i]  HAILE 

Haile  Quene  of  Englad,  of  most  worthy  fame 
For  vertue,  for  wisdome,  for  mercy  &  grace  ; 
Most  firme  in  the  fath,  Defence  of  the  same, 
Christ  saue  her  and  keepe  her  in  euery  place. 

[Title]  Reaw  :  read  Row. 
[i]  3  fath  :  read  faith. 

13 


HAIL  QUEEN  OF  ENGLAND 

[2]  MARIE 

Marie,  the  mirrour  of  mercifulnesse, 
God  of  his  goodnesse  hath  lent  to  this  lande  ; 
Our  iewell,  our  ioye,  our  ludeth,  doutlesse, 
The  great  Holofernes  of  hell  to  withstande. 


[3] 

Full  well  I  may  liken  and  boldly  compare 
Her  highnesse  to  Hester,  that  vertuous  Quene  ; 
The  enuious  Hamon  to  kyll  is  her  care, 
And  all  wicked  workers  to  wede  them  out  clene. 

W  OF 

Of  sectes  and  of  schysmes  a  riddaunce  to  make, 
Of  horrible  errours  and  heresies  all ; 
She  carckes  &  cares  &  great  trauell  dooth  take, 
That  vertue  may  flourish  and  vice  haue  a  fall. 

[5]  GRACE 

Grace  and  all  goodnesse  doth  garnish  her  Grace 
with  mercifull  meeknesse,  on  euery  syde, 
And  pitifull  Prudence,  in  rennyng  her  race, 
Her  highnesse  in  honor  most  godly  dooth  guyde. 

[6]  OUR 

Our  life  is  a  warfare,  the  worlde  is  the  fielde  : 
Her  highnes  her  army  hath  alwayes  at  hande  ; 
For  Hope  is  her  helmet,  Faith  is  her  shielde, 
And  Loue  is  her  brestplate,  her  foes  to  withstad. 

[2]  3  ludeth  :  i.e.  Judith. 

[3]  2  Hester  :  i.e.  Esther  ;   3  Hamon  :  i.e.  Haman. 

[4]  3  trauell  :  i.e.  travail. 

[5]  3  rennyng:  read  running. 

14 


OF  MOST  WORTHY  FAME 

[7]    LORDE 

Lorde,  for  thy  mercy,  vouchsafe  to  defende 
Her  Grace  from  all  griefes,  and  dredfull  distresse  ; 
whom  thou  hast  vouchsafed,  so  frendly,  to  sende 
Our  maners  to  mende,  our  deedes  to  redresse. 

[8]  Is 

Is  not  this  Ilande  of  duty  most  bounde 
To  pray  for  her  highnesse  most  prosperous  state  ? 
By  whom  all  our  enmies  be  cast  to  the  grounde, 
Exilyng  all  errour,  all  strife,  and  debate. 

[9]  WITH 

With  wisdome,  her  wisdome,  most  witty  &  wise, 
Most  wisely  dooth  welde  vs,  in  wele  and  in  wo  ; 
In  rest  to  rule  vs,  this  dooth  she  deuise, 
In  grace  and  in  goodnesse,  with  vertue  also. 

[10]  THEE 

Thee  humbly  we  honour,  most  mercifull  Lorde, 
Besechyng  thy  goodnesse  to  graut  vs  thy  grace, 
That  we  in  faith  as  one  may  accorde, 
All  vices  exiled,  may  vertue  imbrace. 

[n]  BLESSED 

Blessed  be  lesu,  and  praise  we  his  Name, 
who  of  his  mere  mercy  hath  lent  to  this  lande 
So  Catholike  Capitaynes,  to  gouerne  the  same, 
And  freely  the  foes  of  Faith  to  withstande. 

[12]  ART 

Art  thou  not  a-shamed,  thou  caitif  vnkynde, 
To  whisper,  to  whimper,  with  traitourous  tene  ? 

[8]  2  highnesse  :  read  highness'. 

[9]  2  welde  :  i.e.  wield. 

[12]  2  tene  :  i.e.  teen  =  malice,  anger. 


HAIL  QUEEN  OF  ENGLAND 

to  matter,  to  mourmure*  with  mischeuous  mynd 
Aflinst  thy  so  louyng  and  gracious  *  Queue  ? 

[13]  Tiro* 

Thou  wishest  and  woldest*  But  til  is  in  vayne 
(God  dooth  abhorre)  ;  to  thinke  in  thy  harte 
Or  speake  in  sevxrete  of  them  that  doo  raigne  ; 
the  birdes  \vyll  be\vrai  thee  :  —  to  prai  is  thy  parte, 

[14]  AMONG 

Amcy  al  the  scriptures*  \vher  hast  thou  but  sene 
the  murmurers  punishte,  &  neuer  had  their  wyll 
Agaynst  their  heade  ;  our  $ou«reigne  Queene, 
\vhcv<e  GMCC  I  pray  G\xi  prcserue  from  aU  yll* 

[15]  WOMEN 

\\\vvuct\  AUvi  \rido\ves*  with  maidens  &  wiue$* 
Of  this  blessed  woman  example  may  take, 
lu  womanly  wisdonxe  to  leade  wdl  their  Hues, 
All  Englaixde  is  bie<^cd  for  this  w»man%s  sake* 


[TO]  Axr 

And  for  thit  therf  is  suche  gvxihr  behauiour, 
Srecixlly  ter.dryr^:  God's  worthy  tune  : 
He,  through  his  rower  xnd  Princeiy  fiuour, 
Vxith  blincievi  her  foes*  to  their  crtat  shame. 


e,  thertone,  our  Lorde  Gv\i 
Ar.d  Marie*  our  Miistrtsse,  our  r.-Lerciful  Queue  ; 
For  vntv>  this  lande  our  Lorvie,  for  her  loce, 
Hith  of  his  mesxv  most  n^crvifull  ber.e, 


ctx  a&i«  c««r  ts«  rssrt;**:  c*  ti?5 
is  v>^c«^ 


-.-• 


OF  MOST  WORTHY  FAME 

[18]  Is 

Is  not  her  highnesse  most  worthy  of  prayse, 
And  England  moch  holden  her  grace  to  cSmend 
By  who  it  hath  pleased  our  Lord  many  wayse 
His  bountefull  blessyng  on  vs  for  to  sende. 

[19]  THE 

The  plentifull  pitie,  the  faith,  and  the  grace, 
The  meruailous  mekenes  and  mercy,  also, 
And  other  the  vertues  that  shine  in  her  face, 
Doo  saue  vs  her  subiectes  in  weale  and  in  wo. 

[20]  FRUYTE 

Fruyte  of  her  body  God  graunte  vs  to  see, 
This-Royalme  to  rule  in  peace  and  in  rest ; 
That  louyng,  as  she  is,  to  vs  maye  be, 
who  woulde  vs  all,  as  our  hertes  can  thinke  best. 

[21]  OF 

Of  this  may  the  good  be  bolde  as  to  say 
She  woulde  God's  glory  to  flourish  and  spryng, 
And  her  true  subiectes  to  walke  in  one  way, 
In  vnitie  of  faith  all  vs  for  to  bryng. 

[22]  THY 

Thy  gracious  goodnes  to  God,  therfore, 
we  humbly  beseche  her  grace  to  preserue  ; 
And  thy  holy  Churche  in  state  to  restore, 
As  daily  desireth  our  princely  Mynerue. 

[23]   WOMBE 

Wombe  that  she  beareth  by  God  be  it  blest, 
From  dauger  of  childing  whe  God  he  shal  sende 

[  1 9]  4  subiectes :  text  subiected. 

[20]  2  Royalme  =  realm. 

[22]  4  Mynerue  :  i.e.  Minerv(a). 

B  17 


HAIL  QUEEN  OF  ENGLAND 

Neuer  by  enemyes  to  see  her  supprest, 
But,  as  his  chosen,  to  haue  heere  her  ende. 

[24]  IESUS 

lesus  most  gentle,  graunte  this  request, 
Our  Noble  Queene  with  thy  grace  to  encrease 
In  health  and  honour,  as  pleaseth  thee  best, 
That  long  ouer  vs  she  may  reigne  in  peace. 

QD.  L.  STOPES. 


18 


Now  England  is  happy  and 
happy  indeed 

Reprinted  from  a  unique  black-letter  broadside  preserved  in  MS.  106, 
fol.  630,  at  Corpus  Christi  College,  Cambridge.  This  text  has  been 
reprinted  in  Herbert- Ames's  Typographical  Antiquities,  III.,  1794. 
Evidently  from  the  same  exemplar  came  the  MS.  copy  preserved  in  the 
Pepys  Collection,  I.,  23.  There  Pepys  added  the  following  note  :— 

"Extract  of  a  Letter  from  Mr.  Michael  Bull,  M.A.,  Fellow  of  Bennet 
Coll.,  Camb.  of  the  12th  of  June  1701  to  Mr.  Humphry  Wanley, 
relating  to  the  foregoing  Ballad. 

"  I  have  according  to  your  desire  copyed  out  the  Ballad,  and  with  all 
the  exactness  I  could.  There  is  no  picture  in  it  ;  nor  anything  wrott 
in  Capital  or  Roman  Letters,  but  all  printed  in  the  old  English  Letter. 
I  have  spelt  it  and  pointed  it,  just  as  it  is  printed. 

"  There  is  pasted  on  the  Backside  of  this  Ballad,  a  printed  copy  of  a 
Letter  sent  from  the  Councel  to  the  BP-  of  London,  to  sing  Te  Deum 
for  her  Majtie's  being  wth  child.1  If  a  copy  of  it  will  be  usefull  to 
you,  I  shall  send  it  you  assoon  as  I  know  it." 

Pepys  has  also  added  the  title,  "  The  Ballad  of  Joy  vpon  the  publica 
tion  of  Q.  Mary,  Wife  of  King  Philip,  her  being  with  child,  Anno 
Domini  I5[54]." 

This  MS.  copy  has  been  reprinted,  with  a  brief  introduction,  by  Pro 
fessor  C.  H.  Firth  in  the  Scottish  Historical  Review,  IX.  (1912),  361-63. 

The  question  of  whether  Protestantism  or  Catholicism  should  triumph 
in  England  hinged  upon  the  fruitfulness  or  unfruitfulness  of  Mary's 
marriage  with  Philip  of  Spain.  In  October,  1554,  the  Queen  believed 
herself  to  be  enceinte,  and  the  present  ballad  was  no  doubt  written  at 
that  time.  As  Froude  (History  of  England,  1870,  VI.,  346)  tells  the 
story:  "About  the  2Oth  of  April  [1555]  she  withdrew  to  Hampton 
Court  for  entire  quiet.  The  rockers  and  the  nurses  were  in  readiness, 
and  a  cradle  stood  open  to  receive  the  royal  infant.  Priests  and  bishops 

*A  copy  of  this  letter  is  in  the  Corpus  Christi  MS.  106,  fol.  629. 
See  M.  R.  James's  Descriptive  Catalogue  of  the  MSS.  in  the  Library  of 
Corpus  Christi  College,  Cambridge,  1912, 1.,  221,  and  the  note  in  Herbert- 
Ames,  op.  cit.,  III.,  1793. 

19 


NOW  ENGLAND  IS  HAPPY 

sang  litanies  through  the  London  streets ;  a  procession  of  ecclesiastics  in 
cloth  of  gold  and  tissue  marched  round  Hampton  Court  Palace,  headed 
by  Philip  in  person  ;  Gardiner  walked  at  his  side,  while  Mary  gazed J 
from  a  window.     Not  only  was  the  child  assuredly  coming,  but  its  sexL 
was  decided  on,  and  circulars  were  drawn  and  signed  both  by  the  king 
and  queen,  with  blanks  only  for  the  month  and  day,  announcing  to  I 
ministers  of  state,  to  ambassadors,  and  to  foreign  sovereigns,  the  birth  of 
a   prince.     On   the    3Oth,  the  happy   moment   was   supposed  to  have  ; 
arrived.  .  .  .  The  bells  were  set  ringing  in  all  the  Churches ;  Te  Deum  I 
was  sung  in  St  Paul's ;  priests  wrote  sermons  ;  bonfires  wer*1  piled  ready  1 
for  lighting,  and  tables  were  laid  out  in  the  streets."     According  to  I 
Froude,  the  Queen's  disappointment  on  this  occasion  (as  well  as  later) 
incited  her  to  more  diligent  persecution  of  heretics. 


jaotoe  0inge,  notne  0pringe,  oure  care  is  eril'D, 
fwre  bertuous  duene  10  quicfeneD  fnify  ctnlt). 


Nowe  englande  is  happie,  and  happie  in  dede, 
That  god  of  his  goodnes  doth  prospir  here  sede  ; 
Therfore,  let  vs  praie,  it  was  neuer  more  nede, 
God  prosper  her  highnes,  god  send  her  good  sped. 

[2]  I 

Howe  manie  good  people  were  longe  in  dispaire 
That  this  letel  england  shold  lacke  a  right  heire  ; 
But  nowe  the  swet  marigold  springeth  soo  fayre 
That  England  triumpheth  without  anie  care. 

[3]  \ 

Howe  manie  greate  thraldom  es  in  englan[d]e  were  seene 
Before  that  her  highnes  was  pwblyshed  quene  : 
The  bewtye  of  englade  was  banyshed  clene, 
with  wringing  &  wrongynge,  &  sorowes  betwen. 

[i]    2    prospir:    text  pspir,    an   crdinary    abbreviation;    here    sede  L 
i.e.  her  seed. 

20 


AND  HAPPY  INDEED 

W 

And  yet  synce  her  highnes  was  planted  in  peace, 
*  Her  subiectes  wer  dubtful  of  her  highnes'  increse  ; 
But  nowe  the  recofort  their  murmour  doth  cease, 
They  haue  their  owne  wyshynge,  their  woes  doo  releasse, 

[5] 

i  And  suche  as  enuied  the  matche  and  the  make, 
And  in  their  procedinges  stoode  styffe  as  a  stake, 
Are  now  reconciled,  their  malis  dothe  slake, 
And  all  men  are  wilinge  theyr  partes  for  to  take. 

[6] 

Our  doutes  be  dyssolued,  our  fansies  contented, 
The  manage  is  ioyfull  that  many  lamented  ; 
And  suche  as  enuied,  like  foles  haue  repented 
The  Errours  &  Terrours  that  they  have  inueted. 

[7] 

But  God  dothe  worke  more  wonders  then  this, 
For  he  is  the  Auther  and  Father  of  blysse  : 
He  is  the  defender,  his  workinge  it  is, 
And  where  he  dothe  fauoure,  they  fare  not  amys. 

[8] 

Therfore  let  vs  praye  to  the  father  of  myght 
To  prospre  her  highnes  and  shelde  her  in  ryghte  ; 
Wyth  ioye  to  deliuer,  that  when  she  is  lighte 
Both  she  &  her  people  maie  Ioye  without  flight. 


God  prossper  her  highnes  in  euery  thinge, 
Her  noble  spouse,  our  fortunate  kynge, 
And  that  noble  blossome  that  is  plated  to  spring. 
Amen,  swete  lesus,  we  hartelye  singe. 

[8]  2  shelde  :  i.e.  shield. 
21 


NOW  ENGLAND  IS  HAPPY 

[10] 

Blysse,  thou  swete  lesus,  our  comforters  three, 
Oure  Kynge,  our  Quene,  our  Prince  that  shalbe  ; 
That  they  three  as  one,  or  one  as  all  three, 
Maye  gouerne  thy  people  to  the  plesure  of  the. 

U  Imprinted  at  London  in  Lumbarde  strete,  at  the 
signe  of  the  Eagle,  by  Wyllyam  Ryddaell. 

[  i  o]  i  Blysse  :  i.e.  Bless ;  4  the  :  i.e.  thee. 


22 


Tain  is  the  bliss,  and  brittle 
is  the  glass 

From  a  unique  broadside  in  the  Library  of  the  Society  of  Antiquaries, 
London  (Lemon's  Catalogue  of  Broadsides,  p.  16).  Printed  in  one 
column,  black-letter  type  throughout,  no  woodcuts.  It  is  reprinted  in 
the  Harleian  Miscellany  (1813),  X.,  259  f. 

Mary  I.  died  on  the  morning  of  November  17,  1558,  and  before 
noon  of  the  same  day  Elizabeth  was  proclaimed  Queen.  An  ardent 
Catholic,  very  probably  a  priest,  promptly  wrote  this  exaggerated  eulogy. 
Certainly  the  most  ardent  apologist  could  not  now  urge  that  Mary 
*  never  spared  her  hand  to  help  the  righteous  man  distressed,'  or  that  she 
showed  '  pity  to  both  friend  and  foe  '  ;  and  the  balladist's  prophecy  that 
"  no  age  can  thee  obscure  "  has  been  fulfilled  in  quite  a  different  fashion 
from  that  he  anticipated.  From  the  last  lines  of  the  epitaph  it  appears 
that  the  accession  of  a  new  Queen  brought  no  premonitions  or  fears  of 
change  to  the  poet  :  Elizabeth's  inclination  towards  Protestantism  — 
always  largely  political  —  was  evidently  not  known  to  him. 

It  is  curious  to  read  in  the  Stationers'  Registers  (Arber's  Transcript,  I., 
101)  that  "Rychard  Lante  was  sente  to  warde  for  the  pryntynge  of  an 
Epithaphi  of  quene  Mary  with  out  lycense,"  undoubtedly  the  present 
production.  It  is  difficult  to  see  how  this  epitaph  could  have  offended 
the  new  Queen. 


epitaph  bpon  ttie  Deatb  of  ttje 
excellent  ana  our  late  toertuous 
duene,  spatie,  Deceaseu,  augments  bp 
tlje  ffr0t  author, 


Vayne  is  the  blisse,  &  brittle  is  the  glasse,  of  worldly 

wished  welth  ; 

The  steppes  vnstayde,  the  life  vnsure,  of  lastyng  hoped 
helth. 

23 


VAIN  IS  THE  BLISS 

witnes  (alas)  may  Marie  be,  late  Quene  of  rare  renov/ne, 
whose  body  dead,  her  vertues  Hue,  and  doth  her  fame 

resowne ; 
In  whom  suche  golden  giftes  were  grafte,  of  nature  and 

of  grace, 
As  when  the  tongue  dyd  ceasse  to  say,  yet  vertue  spake 

in  face, 
what  vertue  is  that  was  not  founde  within  that  worthy 

wight  ? 
what  vice  is  there  that  can  be  sayde  wherin  she  had 

delight  ? 
She  neuer  closde  her  eare  to  heare  the  rightous  man 

distrest, 
Nor  neuer  sparde  her  hande  to  helpe,  wher  wrog  or 

power  opprest. 
when  all  was  wracke,  she  was  the  porte  from  peryll  vnto 

ioye; 
when  all  was  spoyle,   she  spared  all,   she  pitied  to 

distroye. 

How  many  noble  men  restorde,  and  other  states  also, 
well  shew'd  her  Princely  liberall  hert,  which  gaue 

both  friend  &  fo. 
where  conscience  was,  or  pitie  moued,  or  iuste  desertes 

dyd  craue, 
For  lustice'  sake,  all  worldly  thynges,  she  vsed  as  her 

slaue. 
As  Princely  was  her  birth,  so  Princely  was  her  life, 

Constante,  courtise,1  modest,  and  mylde,  a  chast  and 

chosen  wife. 
In  greatest  stormes  she  feared  not,  for  God  she  made 

her  shielde, 
And  all  her  care  she  cast  on  him,  who  forst  her  foes  to 

yelde. 

Her  perf ecte  life  in  all  extremes  her  pacient  hert  dyd  shoe,2 
For  in  this  worlde  she  neuer  founde  but  dolfull  dayes 
and  woe. 

1  courtise  :  i.e.  courteous. 

2  shoe  :  i.e.  show. 

24 


AND  BRITTLE  IS  THE  GLASS 

All  worldly  pompe  she  set  at  nought,  to  praye  was  her 

delight, 

A  Martha  in  her  kyngdomes  charge,  a  Mary  named  right. 
She  conquer'd  death  in  perfect  life,  and  feared  not  his 

darte ; 
She  liued  to  dye  and  dyed  to  Hue,  with  constant 

faithful  hart. 
Her  restles  ship  of  toyle  and  care  these  worldly  wrackes 

hath  past, 
And   safe   arriues   the  heauenly  porte,   escapt   from 

daungers'  blast, 
when  I  haue  sene  the  Sacrament  (she  said,  euen  at  her 

death), 
These  eyes  no  earthly  syght  shall  see, — and  so  lefte  life 

and  breath. 
O  mirrour  of  all  womanhed,  o  Quene  of  vertues  pure, 

0  constaunt  Marie  filde l  with  grace,  no  age  can  thee 
obscure. 

Thyne  end  hath  set  the 2  fre  from  tongues  of  tickle 3  trust, 
And  lockte  the  lippes  of  slauder's  brute,  which  daily 

damnes  the  iust. 

Thy  death  hath  geuen  thee  life,  thy  life  with  God  shall  ioye, 
Thy  ioye  shall  last,  thy  vertues  Hue,  from  feare  and 

all  anoye. 
O  happie  heauens,  O  hatefull  earth,  O  chaunge  to  Marie 

best, 
Though  we  bewaile,  thou  maist  reioyce,  thy  longe 

retourne  to  reste. 
0  worthy  Quene,  most  worthy  life,  o  lampe  of  vertue's 

light, 
But  what  auayles,  sith  flesh  is  wormes,4  and  life  is 

deathes 5  of  right  ? 
Mercy  and  rest  may  Marie  fynde,  whose  fayth  and  mercy 

craue 

Eternall  prayse  here  in  this  earth,  and  ioye  with  God, 
to  haue. 

1  filde  :  i.e.  fill'd.     2  the  :  i.e.  thee.      3  tickle  =  unreliable,  uncertain. 

5  deathes :  i.e.  death's. 

25 


VAIN  IS  THE  BLISS 

Marie  is  gone,  whose  vertues  teache  of  life  and  death 

the  way, 
Learne  we  that  Hue  her  steppes  to  treade,  and  for  her 

soule  to  pray. 
Make  for  your  mirrour  (Princes  all)  Marie,  our  maistres 

late, 
whom  teares,  nor  plaintes,  nor  princely  mace  might 

stai  in  her  estate. 
Lo,  here  we  see,  as  nature  formes,  death  doth  deface  at 

lengthe ; 
In  life  and  death,  pray  we  to  God  to  be  our  guyde 

and  strengthe. 
Farewell  o  Quene,  o  pearle  most  pure  that  God  or  nature 

gaue, 
The  erth,  the  heaues,  the  sprites,  the  saintes  cry  honor  to 

thy  graue. 

Marie  now  dead,  Elisabeth  Hues,  our  iust  &  lawf ull  Quene, 

In  whom  her  sister's  vertues  rare  habundantly  are  seene. 

Obaye  our  Quene,  as  we  are  bounde,  pray  God  her  to 

preserue, 

And  sende  her  grace  longe  life  &  fruite,  and  subiectes 
trouth  to  serue. 

JFtnts, 

Imprinted  at  London  in  Smithfielde  by  Richarde  Lant. 


26 


O  heresy  with  frenzy 

From  a  unique  broadside  in  the  Library  of  the  Society  of  Antiquaries, 
London  (Lemon's  Catalogue  of  Broadsides,  p.  16).  Printed  in  two 
columns,  black-letter  type  throughout,  no  woodcuts. 

This  Catholic  ballad  of  the  reign  of  Mary  I.  is  a  bitter  attack  on 
heresy,  and  a  plea  for  a  general  acceptance  of  the  Catholic  faith,  which 
should  be  compared  with  No.  20.  Notice  the  defense  of  images  in 
stanzas  7-9,  and  the  plea  to  authority  and  antiquity  in  stanja  14.  Very 
few  ballads  of  this  nature  have  survived,  though  undoubtedly  many  were 
printed. 

an  ejcclamatio  bpo  fl;e  erronious  ann 
fantasticall  sprite  of  tieresp,  troublig  ttie 
tmitie  of  ttje  ctiurct),  fceceauig  tlje  simple 
,  urittj  Ijer  tonperfect,  Unprofitable 
$  tiapn  tuoroes. 


O  Heresy,  with  frenesy, 

disobedience  and  pride, 
Hast  lead  man's  mind,  with  fancies  blind, 

headlong  runnyng  farre  [and]  wyde, 
From  the  path  way  to  Christ,  I  saye, 

o  fonde,  folish,  vayne  guyde  ! 


11  Brought  many  one  to  perdicion, 
to  play  a  desperate  parte, 

Made  deuition  in  eche  Region  ; 
a  false  traitour  thou  arte 

i  ]  3  lead  :  i.e.  led  ;  4  headlong  ;  text  has  headloug. 
2]  3  deuition  :  i.e.  division. 

27 


0  HERESY  WITH  FRENZY 

To  God  aboue,  the  knotte  of  loue 
to  Christ  Church  to  subuert. 

[3] 

11  The  Sacramentes,  our  regimentes 
of  health,  .vii.  giftes  of  grace, 

when  we  doo  fall  through  synne,  to  call 
for  them,  our  great  solace  ; 

A  remedie,  for  eche  degree, 
God's  fouour  to  pourchace. 

w 

11  Babtisme  is  one,  Confirmation, 
with  trew  Penaunce  certayne  ; 

wedlocke  to  endure,  Presthod  most  pure, 
Christ  body  to  remayne  ; 

At  our  last  ende  suche  grace  God  sende, 
Extreme  Unction  to  attayne. 

[5] 

11  By  which  all  we  membres  knitte  be 
to  Christ,  our  most  chiefe  head, 

In  vnitie  through  his  Bodie, 

which  dyde  for  quicke  and  dead  ; 

Christ's  Church,  likewise,  doth  Sacrifice 
the  same,  in  fourme  of  bread. 

[6] 
11  Very  flesh  and  blood,  our  daily  food, 

in  vs  to  byde  and  dwell, 
Bi  who  we  moue,  Hue  euer  through  loue, 

in  vertew  to  excell. 
The  other  dead  be  not  in  this  bodie, 

shall  perish,  and  burne  in  hell. 

[2]  6  to  Christ  :  read  of  Christ's. 

[3]  6  fouour  :  rend  fauour  ;  pourchace  :  i.e.  purchase. 

[4]  4  remayne  :  text  remayue.     [5]  4  dyde  :  i.e.  died. 

28 


O  HERESY  WITH  FRENZY 

[7] 
11  O  infidell,  darest  thou  rebell 

against  Christes  humane  body  ? 
Thymage  to  graue,  pictures  to  haue, 

thou  calst  ydolatry,  — 
The  laye  man's  booke,  theron  to  looke, 

to  folow  their  lyues  by. 

[8] 
H  God  doth  forbed  ydoles  in  dede  ; 

for  ydolatry  playne 
Doth  signify  thynges  made  therby, 

not  hauyng  life  certayne  ; 
which  represent  a  false  entent,  — 

that  worke  of  man  is  vayne. 

[9] 

11  The  ymage  of  ma  is  God's  worke  tha, 
praise  him  in  his  sayntes  daily  : 

Their  ymage  to  make  for  vertew  sake, 
no  good  man  can  denye, 

His  sayntes  liuyng  (for  vs  praiyng), 
to  haue  their  memory. 

[10] 

If  whose  fame  imortall  dye  neuer  shall  : 
the  lust  man  lyues  for  euer, 

where  the  vniust  is  scatred  like  dust, 
consumed  with  the  wether  ; 

whose  mortall  fame  dyeth  with  shame, 
no  mention  of  him  neuer. 


11  O  Traitour  vntrue  to  Christ  lesu, 
his  ymage  to  deface, 

[7]  5  man's  :  read  men's. 

29 


O  HERESY  WITH  FRENZY 

To  set  at  nought  hym  that  the  bought, 
thou  arte  cleane  voide  of  grace  ; 

whose  remebrauce  thou  ought  taduauce, 
with  his  sayntes  in  eche  place. 


H"  whose  life  &  dayes  in  penauce  alwayes 

dyd  byde  Religiously, 
In  praier  by  night,  w[i]the  world  to  fight, 

and  wunne  the  victory. 
Their  vow  thei  kepte  bi  the  flesh,  ne  slept, 

most  chaste  Virgens  dyd  dye. 

[13] 

H  Thou  counterfaite,  O  foule  disceate, 

a  false  fayth  to  entende, 
To  breake  thy  vowe  for  thy  lust  nowe, 

death  needes  must  be  thy  ende  : 
Dew  execution  to  thy  confusion, 

Christ  churche  for  to  defende. 

[14] 

11  whose  vnitie,  by  antiquitie, 

vniuersall  is  knowne  ; 
Continewed,  from  Rome  the  hed, 

by  trew  succession  ; 
By  Counsels  tride,  the  truthe  out  spide 

of  God's  sprite  longe  agone. 

[15] 

H  O  heresy,  thou  walkest  a-wrye, 
abrode  to  gadde  or  raunge  ; 

[u]  3  the  :  i.e.  thee  ;  5  taduauce  =  t[o]  advance. 
[13]  2  entende  =  to  devote  oneself  to. 
[15]  I  thou  :  text  thon. 

30 


O  HERESY  WITH  FRENZY 

Kike  false  brethren,  deceaue  children, 
this  Churche  nowe  for  to  chaunge  : 

Her  praier  by  night  to  banish  quight, 
with  new  imientions  straunge. 

[16] 

11  To  breake,  also,  thy  first  faith,  to[o], 

through  wilfull  impietie  ; 
For  thy  debate  excomunicate 

from  Christ  spousesse  holy. 
Thou  canst  not  accord  with  spouse  &  lord 

that  liuest  in  aduoutry. 

[17] 

11  Runyng  retchlesse  from  thy  spousesse, 
Christ  Churche,  most  Chatholike, 

whose  company  God  kepes,  truly, 
to  banish  the  heretike  ; 

Her  errours  all,  schismatical, 
out  of  this  churche  to  strike. 


H  Fro  her  ne  swerue,  lest  thou  do  sterue 

with  childer  reprobate, 
whose  parentes  be  iniquitie, 

gotte  by  the  sprite  debate,  — 
Thulauful  spouses,  whose  workes,  doutles, 

as  hypocrites  God  doth  hate. 

I  [19] 

H  Repent  &  tourne,  your  Hues  refourme, 
Come  to  Christes  Church  most  trew, 

[i  5]  3  kike  :  this  seems  to  be  an  obsolete  imperative  form  o/~keek,  meaning 
peep  ;  but  the  word  may  be  a  misprint  for  like. 

[  1  6]  5  with  :  text  wthi  ;  6  aduoutry  :  i.e.  adultery. 

[17]  I  retchlesse  =  reckless  ;  2  Chatholike:  read  Catholike. 

31 


O  HERESY  WITH  FRENZY 

with  humilitie  reconsilde  to  be 

to  the  mother  of  vertew, 
which  night  and  day  serues  God  alway, 

whose  faith  her  childre  ensew  ; 


11  And  doo  endure,  in  one  pasture, 

of  one  folde  styll  together, 
Both  all  and  some,  lest  the  wolfe  come, 

them  for  to  disceuer 
From  our  Pastour,  which  doth  succour, 

keepe,  and  defende  vs  euer. 

U  Imprinted  at  London  in  Pater  Noster  Reaw,  by 
Richarde  Lant. 

[20]  4  disceuer  :  i.e.  dissever. 


O  Lord)  thou  God  of  Israel 

Stowe  MS.  958,  fols.  8v-iy.  The  small  quarto  leaves  on  which  this 
ballad  is  written,  in  a  hand  contemporaneous  with  the  events  described 
(1555),  have  severely  suffered,  many  of  the  initial  and  final  letters  of 
the  lines  being  torn  off.  These  letters  are  supplied,  by  guess  when 
necessary,  in  square  brackets.  The  writing  itself  is  badly  faded,  and  at 
times  is  difficult  to  decipher. 

This  ballad  on  a  prominent  martyr  of  Queen  Mary's  reign  is  unique  : 
no  ballad  even  remotely  resembling  it — though  laments  on  Anne  Askew 
and  John  Bradford,  among  others,  are  extant — has  been  preserved. 
Robert  Glover,  a  gentleman  in  the  diocese  of  Lichfield  and  Coventry, 
was  burned  for  religion,  along  with  Cornelius  Bungey,  a  capper  of 
Coventry,  "about  the  2Oth  day  of  September,  1555,"  according  to 
Foxe.  A  long  account  of  his  martyrdom  in  Foxe's  Acts  and  Monuments 
(ed.  Townsend,  VII.,  384-399)  makes  him  out  to  have  been  quite  as 
lovable  and  courageous  as  does  the  ballad.  He  is  given  prominence  i^i 
the  Reverend  Thomas  Brice's  metrical  Register *  of  the  martyrs  (1559), 
where  the  day  of  his  death  is  said  to  be  September  19  : — 

September  19         When  Glover,  and  Cornelius 

Were  fiercely  brent  at  Coventry  ; 
4          When  Wolsay  and  Pigot,  for  Christ  Jesus 

At  Ely,  felt  like  cruelty. 

19          When  the  poor  bewept  Master  Glover's  death, 
We  wished  for  our  Elizabeth. 

Robert  Bott,  the  author  of  the  ballad,  who  describes  himself  as  god 
father  to  Glover's  youngest  son,  devotes  most  of  his  lines  to  eulogizing 
the  martyr  and  advising  the  widow  ;  but  in  stanzas  49-63  there  is  an 
account  of  Glover's  arrest,  imprisonment,  and  trial.  Several  stanzas 
appear  to  have  been  omitted  after  stanza  6 1 .  This  is  disappointing, 
because  Bott  seems  to  have  planned  to  tell  how  the  day  of  Glover's 
burning  was  set  by  divine  intervention,  "  not  by  chance."  There  is 
nothing  of  this  in  Foxe.  Laurence  Saunders,  mentioned  in  stanza  61, 
was  a  learned  preacher,  who,  after  being  imprisoned  "  a  whole  year  and 
three  months,"  was  burned  at  Coventry  on  February  8,  1555.  Foxe 
gives  a  full  account  of  his  martyrdom,  as  well  as  verses  from  "  Laurence 

!See  Arber's  English  Garner,  IV.,  158. 

c  33 


O  LORD,  THOU  GOD  OF  ISRAEL 

Saunders  to  his  Fellow-Prisoners  in  the  Prison  of  the  Marshalsea,"  and 
remarking  that  he  went  "  with  a  merry  courage  towards  the  fire,"  com 
pares  him  to  St.  Laurence.  This  remarkable  ballad  should  i  be  compared 
with  the  even  more  remarkable  ballad  on  the  Catholic  martyr,  John 
Thewlis  (No.  1  3),  that  follows  it. 

I 

a  ballati  concefnpnge  ttie  fceatt)  of  mr. 

Robart    glover,     tttptOnC     tO     map0ttf0 
marye  glover,  1)10  ttpf,  Of  a  frmD  Of  font*. 


O  lord,  thou  god  of  Israeli, 
to  the[e]  I  macke  my  mone  ; 

In  my  distrese  and  miserye, 
I  pray  the[e]  helpe  me  sone. 


For  why,  my  hart  is  so  oppreste 
with  sorowe  and  wyth  payne, 

[So]  that  except  thou  helpe  me  nowe 
[I]  shall  not  long  remayne. 

[3] 

When  I  considere  with  my  selfe 
the  death  of  my  deare  frend, 

Which  in  coventrye  was  burnt  of  lat[e], 
no  reste  my  hart  can  fynd. 

w 

Robart  glovere  his  name  it  was, 

yf  you  will  liste  to  knowe, 
A  mane  of  lernyng  excellent, 

to  antechryste  a  foo. 

[Title]  of  a  frend  of  heres  :  read  by  a  friend  of  hers. 

[  i  ]  4  sone  :  MS.  some  ? 

[4]  3  a  mane  :  one  word  in  MS. 

34 


O  LORD,  THOU  GOD  OF  ISRAEL 

[5] 
Which  evere  loved  godlynes 

in  all  his  wordes  and  dedes, 
As  it  appered  in  hys  end 

in  gevyng  vpe  his  sprites. 

[6] 

What  stedfastnes,  what  manfuli[ness], 

he  showed  at  his  deathe 
(A  numbre  ther  cann  witnes  bay[r]), 

in  all  his  moste  distrese. 


O  Coventry  e,  thou  wickede  towne, 
which  haste  spylt  this  man's  blood, 

That  was  moste  giltles  in  his  lyfe, 
in  chryste  to  all  mene  good. 

[8] 
Macke  haste,  amend  thy  lyf  with  spede, 

or  els  thou  wylt  be  shent  ; 
The  plages  of  god  will  fall  on  the[e], 

except  thou  doo  repent. 

[9] 

O  glover  dear,  happye  thou  arte 
that  thou  haste  paste  this  lyfe, 

Whear  I  am  lafte  to  se  the  paynes 
of  thy  childrene  and  wyf  ! 

[10] 

£Th]ear  wippynge  and  ther  waylynge  sore 
[fjor  the[e]  both  day  and  night, 

[7]  4  mene  :  read  men. 

[10]  I  wippynge  :  i.e.  weeping. 

35 


O  LORD,  THOU  GOD  OF  ISRAEL 

The[y]  fill  my  hart  (that  is  appreste) 
[w]ythe  heavynes  and  syght. 

[»]  SKjM  I|| 

When  I  call  to  rememberaunce 

the  tendre  love  whych  thou 
Dedste  bear  to  me,  vnfanedlye, 

and  with  thy  dedes  dedeste  showe, 


. 

I  am  appreste  with  heavynes, 

so  that  I  cannot  fynde 
No  reste  nor  quyit  for  my  hart, 

nor  also  for  my  mynd. 

[13] 

Therfore  to  god  I  macke  my  mon[e], 

desyerynge  hys  comfort, 
Yet  to  lament  I  cannot  chose, 

my  great  lose  of  this  sort. 


But  nowe  to  you  whom  he  hath  [left] 
be-hynd  hym  in  this  world,  — 

That  is  his  wyfe  and  childr[en], 
of  whom  I  well  be  bolde,  — 

[15] 

To  tell  you  without  all  vayne[ty] 
that  god  your  hosband  is, 

A  father  swe[e]t,  without  desete, 
in  all  your  myseries. 

i  o]  4  syght  :  evidently  means  sighes. 


ii 


H 


4  dedeste  :  read  didst. 

2  desyerynge  :  I.e.  desiring  ;   3  yet  :  read  but,  meaning  except.. 

3  children  :  read  childeren  ;  4  well  :  read  will. 
3  desete  :  i.e.  deceit. 


O  LORD,  THOU  GOD  OF  ISRAEL 

[16] 

To  you,  therfore,  dear  maysterese, 

whom  I  doo  reverence, 
Bothe  in  my  mynd  and  in  my  hart, 

dpo  showe  my  full  pretence  ; 


Desyerynge  you,  in  godes  behalf  e, 

your  sorowe  to  forgett  ; 
Cheryshe  your  hart  with  godes  word, 

whear  comfort  you  shall  gett. 

[18] 

[Co]nsydre  well  the  cause  for  which 

[yo]ur  hosband  ded  depart 
[This]  worlde  and  so  from  all  worldly  thynge,- 

[bec]ause  of  godes  reward, 

[19] 

[Whi]ch  is  promysed  in  his  worde 

to  all  them  that  doo  professe 
His  holy  name  and  gosple  dear, 

which  he  dothe  nowe  possese. 

[20] 

Reioyse,  therfore,  in  godes  behalfe, 

so  fare  as  nature  will  bear  ; 
And  doo  not  morne  as  hethene  doo, 

which  are  wrapt  in  despayre. 

[21] 

Praypare  your  selfe  in  hart  and  myfnd] 
to  goo  his  stepes  allway, 

[  1  7]  3  godes  :  read  god  his. 

[18]  3  omit  so  ;  thynge  :  read  thynges. 

37 


O  LORD,  THOU  GOD  OF  ISRAEL 

The  which  he  went  to  heaven's  blis[s], — 
then  shall  you  not  decaye. 

[22]          .  :'          ••'..'       I 

Doo  nott  forgett  his  wernynges  g[ood] 

and  admo-nisions  swett, 
Which  he  gave  you  out  of  godes  bo[ok], 

which  was  all  his  delyte. 

.     [23] 

Call  to  remembrance  for  your  [sins] 

yf  anye  you  have  doone, 
And  aske  godes  pardon  with  all  spede, 

with  syighinge  and  wythe  groone. 

[24] 

Prepare  your  hart  to  bear  your  chrose 

for  cbryste  and  his  gosple, 
The  which,  trullye,  will  folowe  you, 

as  scripture  dothe  vs  tell. 

[25] 

[Bojthe  fleshe  and  pleasuers  of  the  same 

in  sprit  do  you  withstande  ; 
Soo  shall  you  fynd  without  delay 

his  good  and  helpynge  hand. 

[26] 

[In]  prayer  be  fervente  and  ofte 

[to]  god  macke  all  your  mone, 
[His]  helpe  desyar  moste  instantly e, 

[then  s]hall  you  fynd  it  soone. 

[22]  2  swett  :  i.e.  sweet  ;  3  omit  you  ;  godes  :  nWgod-es0r  god  his. 

[24]  I  chrose  :  i.e.  cross. 

[26]  I  fervente:  read  fer-vi-ente. 


O  LORD,  THOU  GOD  OF  ISRAEL 


[AJbhore  paprye  ;  to  god  doo  cleve  ; 

[d]efyle  not  you  your  selfe 
Wyth  wicked  doctryne  ;  tacke  no  hed 

to  all  your  warily  pelfe. 


[28] 

Have  your  delyt  in  christ  allways, 
and  marke  his  godlye  will ; 

Soo  will  he  be  your  helper  true 
and  gued  you  ever  styll. 


[29] 

His  word  see  that  you  not  neglec[t]  ; 

butt  in  his  gosple  deare 
Lett  all- ways  your  pleasuer  be, 

soo  shall  you  then  be  suer. 


[30] 

To  your  howsholde  tacke  good  hed, 

gyd  them  in  godlynes, 
Which  are  att  your  governynge, — 

kype  them  from  wickednes. 

[31] 

Your  neglygence  in  that  behalf e 

God  will  punishe  it  selfe  ; 
Be-wayre,  therfore,  and  sycke  his  love 

above  all  warldlye  pelfe. 

[27]  i  papyre  :  i.e.  papistry,  Popery  ;  4  warily  :  i.e.  worldly, 
[28]  4  gued  :  i.e.  guide. 

[29]  2  deare  :  read  pure  ;  3  all-ways  :  perhaps  always  all. 
[31]  3  sycke  :  i.e.  seek. 

39 


O  LORD,  THOU  GOD  OF  ISRAEL 


Consydre  offt  with-in  your  hart 
the  treasuer  whych  you  have 

Of  god,  in  all  your  chyldren  dear,  — 
from  syne  see  the[y]  be  save. 

[33] 

In  godlynes  and  vertue  puere, 
see  that  you  teache  them  all  ; 

So  that  the[y]  may,  an  other  day, 
be  free  from  devylles  thrall. 

[34] 

[IJnstructe  them  in  the  laus  of  god, 

[n]or  let  them  not  forgett 
[Th?]  ensample  of  ther  father  swe[e]t, 

[be]for  ther  eyes  that  sett. 

[35] 

Reherse  to  them,  without  all  vayn, 
his  vertues  great  and  puer  ; 

Teach  them  to  folowe  hym  allways,  — 
from  yll  shall  the[y]  be  suer. 

[36] 

His  lernynge  and  his  godlynes, 

his  eloquence  soo  greatt, 
His  godlye  lyfe,  his  gentelnes, 

in  england  which  are  spred, 

[37] 

His  wisdome  and  experience, 
his  counsells  wythout  vayne, 

That  no  man  yet  that  godly  [is] 
nor  shall  ever  disdayn. 

i  [3  6]  4  spred  :  Faulty  rhyme  here. 

4o 


O  LORD,  THOU  GOD  OF  ISRAEL 

[38] 
In  daungers  and  callamityes, 

manfull  without  dispayre  ; 
In  god  put  he  all  confydens, 

as  no  man  ded  ells  whear  ; 

[39] 

In  paciens,  he  may  to  all 

a  teacher  be  ryght  well  ; 
Agaynste  the  lord  for  he  ded  not, 

nor  ever  woulde,  rebell. 


. 

His  sicknes,  which  he  had  longe  tym, 
coulde  never  macke  hym  shrynke 

From  god,  his  lord  ;   but  ever  ded 
spaycke  well  of  hym  and  thyncke. 


He  had  delyte  to  rede  and  spacke 

the  gosple,  puer  and  clayne, 
To  everye  man,  bothe  highe  and  low  ; 

no  mane  he  ded  disdayne. 

[4*]  _ 

He  had  great  pleasuer  in  the  pore, 

[to]  helpe  them  in  distrese, 
[Than]  anye  man  in  england  ded,  — 

[no]  man  can  say  no  leasse. 

[43] 

[The]  callynge  and  estat  he  ded 

applye  accordynglye, 
To  which  god  had  appoynted  hym, 

as  in  his  end  you  see. 

[41]  i  spacke  :  read  speak  ;  4  no  mane  :  one  word  in  MS. 

41 


O  LORD,  THOU  GOD  OF  ISRAEL 

[44] 
He  ded  with  ryght  vnfanede  love 

embrace  you,  his  dear  wyfe  ; 
For  your  sacke  he  coulde  have  bine 

content  to  losse  his  lyfe. 

[45] 

His  childrene  he  ded  love  so  muche 

as  anye  man  elles  whear  ; 
In  godlynes  brought  he  them  vp, 

so  longe  as  he  was  heare. 


, 

His  fethfull  harte  towardes  his  fre[nds] 

no  man  ought  to  forgett  ; 
His  lyberall  mynd  and  hart  so  ky[nd] 

to  them  whych  weare  in  debt. 

[47] 

His  reverent  behavyore 

to  them  which  weare  in  giftes 

And  lerny[n]ge,  also,  excelent,  — 
he  would  have  them  in  syghtt. 

[48] 

He  was  not  met  to  tarrye  hear 
in  this  moste  wicked  warld, 

When  his  tym  cam,  at  Coventry 
ther  was  he  bought  and  sold. 

[49] 

The  sheryffe  ther  layd  hand  on  him  ; 
full  meckelye  he  ded  bear 

[44]  3  sacke  :  i.e.  sake  ;  4  losse  :  i.e.  lose, 
[47]  i  behavyore  :  i.e.  behav-i-or. 
[48]  i  met  :  read  mete. 

42 


O  LORD,  THOU  GOD  OF  ISRAEL 

The  crosse  of  cbryst,  for  why,  he  knew 
[th]at  he  sholde  leve  els-whear. 

[50] 

The[y]  kept  him  in  the  prison  ther, 
agaynste  all  lauwes  and  ryght  ; 

Full  wickedly  the[y]  ded  off  ende 
the  lord,  him  selfe,  of  myght. 

[so 

The  busshope,  att  his  commyng  ther, 

sent  for  him  out  of  hand, 
Intendyng  hym  to  bring  from  christ  ;  — 

manfully  he  ded  stand 


Agaynste  the  busshope  and  his  trayne, 
agaynste  ther  masse  so  vayne, 

Ther  tromperye  and  paperye, 
he  ded  dispyse  moste  playne. 

[S3] 
The  bosshope,  beinge  moved  then 

with  his  boldnes  and  his  sprit, 
To  lychefyld  he  ded  sende  hym  th[ere] 

with  great  disdayne  and  spyte. 

[54] 

What  trouble,  what  great  my[series], 
the[y]  ded  showe  vnto  hym 

In  his  impriso[n]ment  so  longe. 
O  lord,  forgive  ther  syne  ! 

[51]  i  busshope:  i.e.  bishop. 
[52]  3  papeiye  :  i.e.  Popery. 
[53]  *  bosshope  :  i.e.  bishop. 

43 


O  LORD,  THOU  GOD  OF  ISRAEL 

[55] 
From  tyme  to  tyme  he  ded  disp[ute] 

with  them  that  sought  his  blode, 
Agaynste  ther  masse  and  papish  dr[ove],- 

in  lernynge  he  was  goo<~ 


[56] 

The  day  of  condempnacion 
then  being  comm  att  hand, 

Full  manfully  and  lernedlye 
aganst  them  all  ded  stand. 

[57] 

The  busshope  and  his  schapplens  all 
ther  lernyng  ded  thene  fayll, 

No  ansure  the[y]  coulde  macke  to  hym, 
therfore  the[y]  fell  to  rayll. 

[58] 

[With]  wickednes  and  lyes  foulle, 
[they]  ded  withstande  his  worde, 

Which  he  spacke  in  godes  behalfe — 
[God]  will  distroye  ther  sword. 

[59] 

Moste  cherfullye  and  merelly, 
without  all  tremlynge  feare, 

Ded  he  reseve  ther  sentence  ther, 
as  men  cane  witnes  bear. 


The  day  of  execution 
and  his  deleverance 

[57]  I  schapplens:  i.e.  chaplains. 

[58]  i  lyes :  read\y&>  full. 

[59]  i  merelly  :  i.e.  merrily  ;  4  cane 

44 


i.e.  can. 


O  LORD,  THOU  GOD  OF  ISRAEL 

Att  coventrye  appoyntted  was 
by  god,  and  not  be  chance. 


For  ther  suffred  not  long  before 

a  man  of  good  halase, 
His  fethfull  frende  and  brother  treu, 

Sandars  he  namede  was. 


Too  tell  you  nowe,  my  dear  mary, 

the  maner  of  his  deathe, 
And  his  vnfaned  hartenes 

and  hope  in  christe  with  feathe, 

[63] 

It  nedethe  not,  for  why,  all  men 
which  wear  with  him  presentt 

Canne  bear  recorde  that  never  man 
to  dye  so  was  content. 


Butt  that  I  wishe  moste  hartely 
be  not  to[o]  slacke  nor  slowe, 

By  his  deathe  to  teche  your  sons 
to  god  to  stand  in  awe  ; 

[65] 

To  folowe,  with  all  godlynes, 
ther  father's  lyfe  and  deathe  ; 

The  which  wilbey  the  beste  tresuer 
the[y]  may  reseve  on  earthe. 

[61]  2  good  halase  :  perhaps  God,  alas  ! 
[62]  i  too  :  i.e.  to  ;  4  feathe  :  i.e.  faith. 
[65]  3  wilbey  :  i.e.  will  be. 

45 


O  LORD,  THOU  GOD  OF  ISRAEL 

[66] 

[I]n  syence  and  in  l^rnyng  good 
god  grant  the[y]  may  excell, 

To  helpe  to  teache  the  flocke  of  god 
Antecbriste  to  expelL 

[67] 

Moste  instan[t]lye  I  doo  requear, 
forgett  not  that  same  chylde, 

Tymothye  glover  ,  yonge  in  age,  — 
the  lordes  will  be  fullfild  ! 


[68] 
For  him  to  care  above  the  rest, 

my  dutye  doth  requear  ; 
Beinge  the  yongest  of  them  all, 

also  my  good-sonne  dear. 

[69] 

My  prear  is,  and  shalbey  soo 

so  longe  as  I  doo  leve, 
To  god,  my  lord,  to  kepe  them  all 

and  you,  his  f  eathfull  wyfe. 

[70] 

Thus  fare  you  well  in  god,  the  lord, 
whoo  graunt  that  you  may  fyn[d] 

Eternall  reste  in  heven's  blys. 
Amen,  I  say,  your  frynd. 

JFiw0. 
in  $i0  sagntr  0. 

W*  Robart  Bott. 


[66]  I  and  in  :  MS.  and  is. 
[68]  4  good-sonne  :  i.e.  godson. 
[69]  i  prear  :  i.e.  pray-er. 

46 


.8  •:;,;—; 

Some  men  for  sudden  joy  do  weep 

Sloane  MS.,  1896,  fols.  n-i2v.  No  sketch  of  John  Careless,  a 
Coventry  weaver  who  occupied  a  place  of  honour  and  friendship  among 
the  martyrs  of  Queen  Mary's  reign,  appears  in  the  Dictionary  of  National 
Biography  ;  but  a  great  deal  of  information  about  his  life  is  given  in 
Foxe's  Act*  and  Monuments,  while  twenty-two  of  his  letters  have  been 
preserved.  The  latter  were  first  printed  in  Bishop  Miles  Coverdale's 
Certain  most  godly,  fruitful,  and  comfortable  letters  of  such  true  Saintes  and 
holy  Martyrs  of  God,  as  .  .  .  gaue  their  lyues  for  the  defence  ofChristes  holy 
gospel,  1564  ;  this  work  was  reprinted  by  Edward  Bickersteth,  London, 
1837.  At  the  end  of  the  letters,  Coverdale  remarks  :  "  Because  he  maketh 
mention  in  the  former  letter  and  other  heretofore,  of  the  most  godlye 
and  Christian  conflictes  which  he  had  susteyned,  we  thought  good  to 
adioyne  hereto  this  swete  and  heauenly  exercise  followyng,  whereby  it 
may  appeare  what  fruite  these  conflictes  wroughte  in  hys  most  godly  and 
Christian  conscience."  He  then  prints  a  version  (A.)  of  the  ballad  given 
below.  To  this  poem  Thomas  Nashe  referred  in  a  letter  to  William 
Cotton  (Works,  ed.  McKerrow,  V.,  196)  :  "well  some  men  for  sorrow 
singe  as  it  is  in  the  ballet  of  lohn  Carelesse  in  the  booke  of  martirs,  &  I 
am  mery  whe[n]  I  haue  nere  a  penny  in  my  purse." 

Long  before  that  time,  however,  this  "  sweet  and  heavenly  exercise  " 
had  begun  to  be  printed  and  sung  as  a  ballad.  As  early  as  October  8, 
1583,  a  ballad  called  "A  Declaration  of  the  death  of  John  Lewes"  (see 
No.  9)  was  written  " To  the  tune  of  John  Carelesse"  and  " Sortie  men 
for  suddaine  joyes  doe  weepe  "  is  the  tune  of  "  The  Confession  of  a 
Penitent  Sinner"  (Roxburghe  Ballads,  III.,  168).  "A  ballad  of  John 
Careles,  &c.,"  was  licensed  for  publication  on  August  I,  1586,  "John 
Carelesse  "  on  December  14,  1624,  and  "  Sir  John  Careles "  on  February 
9,  1635, — all  undoubtedly  broadside  versions  of  the  ballad  preserved  in 
the  Certain  Letters  and  the  Sloane  MS. 

Nashe  refers  to  it  a  second  time  in  Have  With  Tou  to  Saffron  Walden, 
1596  (Works,  III.,  104),  where  he  says  of  Barnaby  Barnes's  Divine 
Century  of  Spiritual  Sonnets  :  "  such  another  deuice  it  is  as  the  godly 
Ballet  of  lohn  Carelesse,  or  the  Song  of  Greene  sleeues  moralized."  The 
first  two  lines  are  quoted  in  Shakespeare's  King  Lear  (I.,  iv.  168)  and  in 
Hey  wood's  Rape  of  Lucrece  (Dramatic  Works,  1874,  ^.,  179). 

The  MS.  copy  probably  represents  closely  the  ballad  as  it  appeared  in 
printed  broadside  form,  but  all  the  variants  between  it  and  A.  are  given 

47 


SOME  MEN  FOR  SUDDEN  JOY  DO  WEEP 

in  the  footnotes.  Four  stanzas  of  A.  are,  it  will  be  observed,  omitted 
in  the  MS.  A.  ends  with  the  words,  "  Continue  constant  in  Christ 
q[uoth]  Careles." 

Careless  is  named  in  the  Reverend  Thomas  Brice's  interminable  verse 
Register  of  the  Martyrs  (Arber's  English  Garner,  IV.,  158),  where  a 
marginal  date  places  his  death  on  June  25,  1556. 

a  go&lp  ano  tortuous  0onge  or  'Battaue, 
ma&e  bp  t^e  constant  member  of 
John  Careiesse,  being  in  pri0an  in 
hinge*  benche  for  pwfe00ing  ft 
ttfjae,  enning  tits  t>ape0  tberin,  toa0 
ttjrotten  out  anti  burpeti  mo0t  3igno= 
miniou0lp  bpon  a  tiongtuU,  bp 
anuer0arpe0  of  goDe0  tuortie, 


Some  men  for  sodayne  joye  do  wepe, 
and  some  in  sorrowe  synge  ; 

When  as  they  are  in  daunger  depe, 
to  put  away  mournyng. 


_ 

Betwene  them  both  will  I  begyn, 
being  in  joye  and  payne  ; 

With  sighing  to  lament  my  synne, 
and  yet  reioyce  againe. 

[3] 

My  synfull  lyfe  doth  still  encrease, 
my  sorrowes  are  the  more  ; 

From  wickednesse  I  cannot  cease, 
woe  is  my  heart  therfore. 

[i]  3  as  ...  are  :  that  they  lie  (A.}. 
[2]  3  with  :  In  (A.)  ;  4  and  :  But  (A.). 
[3]  2  sorrowes  are  :  sorow  is  (A.). 

48 


SOME  MEN  FOR  SUDDEN  JOY  DO  WEEP 

W 

Sometyme  when  I  thincke  to  doe  well, 
and  serve  god  night  and  day  ; 

My  wicked  nature  doth  rebell, 
and  leadeth  me  astray, 

[si     :;    " 

As  bond  and  captive  vnto  synne, 
which  grieveth  me  full  sore  ; 

This  misery  doe  I  lyve  in, 
woe  is  my  heart  therfore. 

[6] 

Indede,  sometymes  I  doe  repent 

and  pardon  doe  obtayne  ; 
But  yet,  alas  !  incontinent, 

I  fall  to  synne  againe. 

I  [7] 

My  corrupt  nature  is  so  ill, 

offending  more  and  more  ; 
That  I  displease  my  lord  god  still, 

woe  is  my  hart  therfore. 

I  [8] 

Woe  is  my  hart,  woe  is  my  mynde, 

woe  is  my  soule  and  spirit  ; 
That  to  my  god  I  am  vnkynde, 

in  whome  I  should  delight. 


His  love  alwayes  I  should  regard, 
which  towardes  me  was  pure  ; 

[6]  i  some  tymes  :  sometyme 
[8]  2  spirit  :  read  sprite  (A.). 
[9]  2  towardes  :  towarde  (A.}. 

49 


SOME  MEN  FOR  SUDDEN  JOY  DO  WEEP 

With  synne  and  vice  I  him  reward, 
oh  most  vnkynde  creature  ! 

[10] 

The  beast,  the  bird,  the  fishe,  the  foule, 

their  maker  doe  obey  ; 
But  I  which  am  a  lyving  soule, 

am  farre  more  worse  then  they. 


For  they,  according  to  their  kynde, 
doe  serve  god  nyght  and  day  ; 

But  I,  alas,  with  hart  and  mynde, 
offend  him  many  wayes. 


Thus  doe  I  sore  complayne  of  synne, 
and  with  king  David  wepe  ; 

For  I  doe  feele,  my  hart  with-in, 
the  wrath  of  god  full  depe. 

[13] 

To  heaven  myne  eyes  I  dare  not  lyft, 
against  it  I  haue  trespast  ; 

And  in  the  earth  I  fynde  no  shift 
nor  succor  that  may  last. 


What  shall  I  doe  ?   shall  I  dispayre, 
and  from  my  saviour  slyde  ? 


[9]  3  With  .  .  .  I  :  But  I  wyth  synne  do 

[10]  3  which  :  that  (A.)  ;  4  more  :  much 

[  1  1  ]  2  To  seme  -him  do  not  cease  (4.)  ;  3  alas  with  :  wyth  sinful! 

.)  ;  4  Do  daily  him  displease 

[i  3]  4  may:  can 


SOME  MEN  FOR  SUDDEN  JOY  DO  WEEP 

Noe,  god  forbid,  ther  is  noe  feare, 
syth  Christ  hath  for  me  dyed. 


God  became  man,  and  for  vs  men 

he  dyed  and  rose  againe  ; 
His  mercy  greate  we  may  se[e],  then, 

for  ever  doth  remayne. 

[16] 

Therfore,  my  synnes  I  will  confesse 
to  god  and  mourning  make  ; 

He  will  forgeue  the  same,  doubtlesse, 
for  his  sonne  Christ  his  sake. 


, 

If  synne  in  me  god  should  respecte, 
then  doe  I  knowe  full  well, 

His  justice  would  me  sone  reiect 
doune  to  the  pit  of  hell. 

[18] 
His  glorious  eyes  could  not  abyde 

my  fowlle  and  fylthy  smoke  ; 
Wherwith  I  am  one  euery  syde, 

couered  as  with  a  cloke. 


But  christ  in  me  doth  he  behold, 
in  whome  he  doth  so  delight, 


[  1 6]    I    synnes :    sinne   (^.)  ;    3    He  :    who    (^.)  ;    4   Christ    his 
Jhristes 


[17]  4  doune  to  the  :  To  the  deepe 

[18]  i  could  :  can  (A.)  ;  2  my  :  the  (A.)  ;   3  one  :  read  on 

£19]  i  Christ  ...  he  :  he  in  Christ  doth  me  (A.)  ;  2  omit  so 

51 


SOME  MEN  FOR  SUDDEN  JOY  DO  WEEP 

That  myne  offences  manyfold, 
he  doth  release  them  quyte  ; 

[20]  ^  ,  ^ 

Reputing  me  amonge  the  iust, 

forgeving  all  my  synne  ; 
Therfore,  my  faythfull  hope  and  trust 

shall  ever  be  in  hym. 

.  m 

[21] 

O  lord,  encrease  true  fayth  in  me, 

thy  good  spirit  to  me  geue  ; 
That  by  the  fayth  I  haue  in  the[e], 

I  may  both  love  and  lyve 

[22] 

In  true  obedience  to  thy  will, 

and  thanckefullnes  of  heart  ; 
And  with  thy  grace  so  guyde  me  still,. 

that  I  never  depart 


From  thy  true  word  and  testament,, 

all  the  dayes  of  my  lyfe  ; 
Nor  from  thy  churche  most  innocent 

thine  owne  true  spouse  and  wife. 


[But  from  that  filthy  whore  of  Rome 
Lord  kepe  me  euermore  ; 

[19]  4  he  ...  them  :  Through  him  releaseth  (A.). 

[20]  i  amonge  :  amongest  (A.)  ;  3  faythfull  hope  and  :  faith,  my 
hope,  my  (A.). 

[21]  3  That  I  may  grow  in  loue  toward  thee  (A.)  ;  4  And  euer  seeke 
to  Hue  (A.). 

[22]  i  to  :  of  (A.). 

[24]  i  Stanzas  24-27  added  from  At 

52 


1     SOME  MEN  FOR  SUDDEN  JOY  DO  WEEP 

As  gratiously  thou  hast  yet  done, 
Thankes  be  to  thee  therfore. 


[25] 

And  sith  thou  haste  of  thy  goodnes 

Forgeuen  me  all  my  sinne, 
Stre»gth  me  thy  truth  for  to  cofffesse, 

And  boldly  die  therin. 

[26] 

That  as  I  haue  confessed  thec 

Before  the  wicked  sort, 
thou  maiest  in  thy  good  time  know  me, 

To  my  ioy  and  comfort. 

•  l>7] 

My  soule  returne  vnto  thy  reste, 

Thou  art  wel  satisfied  ; 
The  Lord  hath  graunted  thy  request, 

And  nothyng  thee  denied.] 

".  [*»] 

Praysed  be  god,  the  father  of  might, 

praysed  be  thou,  o  christ  ; 
Praysed  be  thou,  o  holy  spirite, 

thre[e]  in  one  god  most  highest. 


[28]   I    Praysed  :  Prayse  (4.)  ;  2,  3  praysed  be  thou  :   Praise  be  to 
|  thee  (A.)  ;  3  spirite  :  read  sprite 


53 


9      | 
Shall  silence  shroud  such  sin 

Printed  from  a  unique  black-letter  broadside  in  the  Library  of  th( 
Society  of  Antiquaries,  London.  The  sheet  has  three  columns  enclosed 
in  a  light  ornamental  border.  There  is  one  rude  woodcut,  representing 
Lewes  tied  to  the  stake  ;  it  has  been  reproduced  in  Lemon's  Catalogue 
of  Broadsides,  p.  26.  The  ballad  was  not  entered  in  the  Stationers' 
Registers. 

All  historians  who,  presumably,  would  have  been  interested  in  this 
metrical  account  of  John  Lewes  have  overlooked  it.  The  earliest  of 
these  is  Fuller,  who  in  his  Church  History  of  Britain  (ed.  J.  S.  Brewer,  V., 
72)  wrote  : — 

We  must  not  forget  how,  this  year  [1584],  one  John  Lewes  was  burnt  at 
Norwich  for  denying  the  Godhead  of  Christ,  and  holding  other  detestable 
heresies.  He  called  himself  "  Abdoit "  (let  him  tell  you  what  he  meant  thereby), 
alluding  therein  to  the  promise  of  a  new  name,  •which  no  man  knoiueth  but  him  that 
recelveth  it  [see  Revelations  ii.  17]  ;  having  in  it  a  little  mock-Hebrew,  to  make 
himself  the  more  remarkable. 

According  to  Brewer,  "  the  original  draught  of  the  significavit  for  his 
burning  is  still  preserved  among  the  Sarum  MSS.  in  the  Bodleian." 
Fuller's  date,  1 584,  is  repeated  in  all  histories  of  Norfolk,  but  undoubtedly 
is  incorrect  :  there  is  every  reason  for  accepting  the  date  given  in  the 
ballad.  In  his  Annals  (ed.  1615,  p.  697)  John  Stow  gives  the  date  as  \ 
September  17,  1583. 

Lewes  was  a  victim  of  a  religious  intolerance  seldom  referred  to  in  the   I 
histories  of  the  Elizabethan  period.     His  "detestable  opinions"  now   I 
form  a  part  of  the  creed  of  the  Unitarian  Church.     There  were  both    I 
predecessors  and  successors  at  Norwich  to  Lewes's  martyrdom.     Thus   I 
on  May  20,  1579,  Matthew  Hamount  was  burned  for  having  said  that   I 
"  the  New  Testament  and  Gospel  of  Christ  is  but  mere  foolishness,  a   I 
mere  fable  ;  that  Christ  is  not  God  or  the  Saviour  of  the  world,  but  a 
mere  man,  a  shameful  man,  and  an  abominable  idol  ;  that  he  did  not 
rise  again  from  death  or  ascend  unto  Heaven  ;  that  the  Holy  Ghost  is 
not  God  ;  and  that  baptism  is  not  necessary,  nor  the  sacrament  of  the 
body  and  blood  of  Christ."     (Victoria  History  of 'Norfolk ',  II.,  275  ;  cf. 
Stow's  Annals,  1615,  p.   685.)     In   1588  a  clergyman,  Francis  Ket, 
was   burned  for  having  expressed   "  divers  detestable  opinions  against 
Christ  our  Saviour"  (R.  H.  Mason,  History  of  Norfolk,  1884,  p.  401). 

Apart   from  the  merits  of  the  case  and  the  attitude  of  the  ballad- 

54 


SHALL  SILENCE  SHROUD  SUCH  SIN 

writer,  the  reader's  sympathy  will  naturally  be  with  Lewes,  With 
startling  na'ivett  the  poet  unwittingly  presents  a  picture  of  a  man  resolute 
in  his  views  and  beliefs  even  unto  death,  —  a  man  whose  courage  is  far 
more  admirable  than  the  piety  of  his  judges.  The  grotesque  travesty  on 
Christian  charity  by  which  preachers  are  described  as  using  persuasion, 
almost  force,  to  drag  a  confession  of  faith  from  their  victim  before 
thrusting  him  in  the  flames  was  often  duplicated  in  England  under  both 
Catholic  and  Protestant  rulers. 

It  seems  a  bit  ironical  that  the  ballad  is  directed  to  be  sung  to  the 
tune  of  John  Careless,  —  to  the  tune  (itself  unknown)  of  the  ballad  (No.  8) 
directly  preceding. 

The  Biblical  quotations  appear  to  have  been  made  from  one  of  the 
editions  of  the  Geneva  Bible. 


a  Declaration  of  tyt  Deatt)  of  hbn 
a  most  Detestable  anD  obstinate 
ticfee,  burneD  at  Norwich,  ttie  Ftoiii  Dape 

Of  September,   1583.     aftflUt  t&m  flf  flje 

clocfee  in  ttje  after  noone. 

To  the  tune  of  lohn  Carelesse. 

Math.  x.  vers.  33. 

He  that  denieth  me  before  men,  I  will  denle  him  before  my  Father  which 
is  in  Heauen. 

loan.1  17.  3. 

This  is  eternall  life,  that  they  know  thee  to  be  the  very  only  true  God,  and 
him  whome  thou  hath  sent,  lesus  Christ. 

lohn.  3.  1  8. 

He  that  beleeueth  in  him  shall  not  be  condemned  :  but  hee  that  beleeueth  not, 
is  condemned  already,  because  hee  beleeueth  not  in  the  name  of  the  only  begotten 
sonne  of  God. 


Shall  silence  shrowde  such  sinne, 
as  Sathan  seemes  to  showe 

Euew  in  his  impes,  in  these  our  dayes, 
that  all  men  might  it  knowe  ? 

1  loan  :  read  John. 

55 


SHALL  SILENCE  SHROUD  SUCH  SIN 


No,  no,  it  cannot  be  ; 

but  such  as  loue  the  Lorde, 
With  heart  and  voyce,  will  him  confesse, 

and  to  his  word  accord. 

[3] 

And  do  not  as  this  Deuill  did, 
though  shape  of  man  he  bare  ; 

Denying  Christ,  did  silence  keepe 
at  death,  deuoyde  of  care. 


. 

Yet  did  this  wretch,  most  wickedly 

(lohn  Lewes,  who  to  name), 
Full  bouldly  speake,  and  brutishly 

God's  glorie  to  defame, 

[5] 

In  presence  of  those  Persons  which 
were  learned,  wise,  and  graue, 

That  wisht  in  heart,  with  weeping  teares, 
repentance  he  would  craue. 

[6] 

But  he,  dispising  reuerence 

to  Prince  or  any  state, 
Not  them  regardes,  but  vsed  tearmes 

as  ech  had  beene  his  mate. 

[7] 

For  he  did  thou  each  wight  the  which, 

with  him  had  any  talke  ; 
Thus  did  his  tong  most  deuilis[h]ly 

with  defamie  still  walke. 

[7]  i  thou  :  read  thus. 

56 


SHALL  SILENCE  SHROUD  SUCH  SIN 

[8] 
But  when  that  no  perwasion  might 

procure  him  to  relent, 
Then  Judgement  did,  by  Justice  right, 

vnto  his  death  consent. 

[9]  ; 
That  he  should  burned  be  to  death, 

this  Justice  did  awarde  ; 
Now  marke  what  after  did  insue, 

and  therto  haue  regarde. 

[10] 

The  time  then  of  his  death  being  come, 
which  was  the  eighteene  daye 

Of  September,  in  eightie  three,  — 
this  wretch  wrought  his  decaye. 


For  when  he  to  the  place  was  brought 
where  he  his  life  should  ende, 

He  forced  was  a  time  to  stay, 
a  Sermon  to  perpende. 

[12] 

The  which  was  preached  by  the  Deane 

of  Norwich,  in  such  wise, 
Which  well  might  mooue  ech  sinful  soule 

from  seat  of  sinne  to  rise. 

[13] 

He,  like  a  tender  Father,  did 

geue  documents  most  pure 
Unto  this  wretch  as  to  his  childe, 

from  ill  him  to  procure. 

[n]  4  perpende  =  ponder  over,  consider. 

57 


SHALL  SILENCE  SHROUD  SUCH  SIN 

[14] 

But  all  in  vaine,  this  varlet  vylde 

his  doctrin  did  detest ; 
For  when  he  spake  of  Christ,  God's  Son, 

he  made  therat  a  iest. 

[IS] 

And  smilingly  his  face  wold  turne 

from  Preachers  present  there, 
Which  argued  that  he  neuer  stood 

of  God  or  man  in  feare. 

[16] 

When  that  the  Sermon  drew  to  ende, 

then  did  the  Deane  desire 
Him  that  he  would  fall  on  his  knees, 

and  God's  mercie  require. 

[17] 

But  still  he  stood  as  any  stone, 

not  liftyng  hand  or  eye, 
Unto  the  Heauews,  which  shew'd  his  hart 

to  God  was  nothing  nie. 

[18] 

The  Shryfe,  thew,  strikes  him  on  the  brest, 

wishing  him  to  returne  ; 
Yea,  Gentlewomen,  two  or  three, 

before  he  went  to  burne, 

[19] 

Would  seeme  to  pull  him  on  his  knees, 
his  sinnes  for  to  confesse, 

[14]  i  vylde  =  vile. 

[18]   i   Shryfe  :    Sir  William  Heydon  was  Sheriff  in   1583  (R.  H. 
Mason's  History  o/Norfott,  1884,  p.  535). 

58  ' 


SHALL  SILENCE  SHROUD  SUCH  SIN 

But  he  full  stoutly  stood  therein, 
not  meaning  nothing  lesse. 

[20] 

From  preaching  place  vnto  the  stake, 
they  straight  did  him  conuaye, 

Where  preachers  two  or  three  him  wyld 
vnto  the  Lorde  to  praye, 

[21] 

And  Christ  our  Sauiour  to  confesse 

both  God  and  man  to  be  ; 
That  soule  and  body,  by  true  faith 

in  him,  might  be  set  free 

[22] 

From  Sathan,  who  had  him  in  houlde  ;  — 

but  he  not  this  regarde, 
As  countinance  his  did  shew  full  plaine, 

for  why,  no  worde  was  harde 


That  he  did  speake  ;  but  like  a  dogge, 
did  end  his  dayes  with  shame, 

Not  bending  knee,  hand,  hart,  or  tong, 
to  glorifie  God's  name. 


For  though  that  diuers  Preachers  than, 
both  Godly,  graue,  and  wise, 

Did  hope  (in  heart)  to  win  this  man, 
yet  all  would  not  suffise. 

[24]  i  than  :  read  then. 

59 


SHALL  SILENCE  SHROUD  SUCH  SIN 


For  not  one  worde  that  they  could  get, 

what  so  they  did  or  sayde, 
Till  one  that  was  right  earnest  set, 

by  these  wordes  him  assayde  :  — 


"  If  that  thou  doest  not  lesus  Christ, 

God's  onely  Sonne  confesse, 
Both  God  and  Man,  and  hope  in  him 

for  thy  saluation,  doubtlesse, 

[27] 

"  As  sure  as  now  thou  shalt  be  burnt 

before  vs  here  at  Stake, 
So  sure  in  Hell  thou  shalt  be  burnt, 

in  that  inf  email  lake." 

[28] 

Quoth  he,  "  thou  liest,"  and  no  more  words 

at  all  this  Caytife  sayd  ; 
Nor  no  repentant  signe  would  show, 

which  made  vs  all  dismayde. 


And  when  the  fire  did  compasse  him 

about  on  euery  side, 
The  people  lookt  he  then  would  speake, 

and  therfore  lowde  they  cryed  : 

[30] 

"  Now  call  on  christ  to  saue  thy  soule  ; 

now  trust  in  Christ  his  death." 
But  all  in  vaine,  no  wordes  he  spake, 

but  thus  yeeldes  vp  his  breath. 

60 


SHALL  SILENCE  SHROUD  SUCH  SIN 


Oh  wofull  state,  oh  daunger  deepe, 

that  he  was  drowned  in  ; 
Oh  graunt  vs,  God,  for  Christ  his  sake, 

we  fall  not  in  such  sinne. 


And  we  that  thinke  wee  stand  in  faith 

so  firme,  Lorde  let  it  be 
To  thee,  thy  Sonne,  and  holy  Ghoste,  — 

one  God  in  Persons  three. 

TH.  GILBART. 


Aue  morta  nonfa  mele. 

Rom.  14.  9. 

For  Christ  therfore  dyed  and  rose  againe  and  reuiued,  that  he  might  be. 
Lord  both  of  the  dead  and  the  quicke. 

2.  Corin.  5.  21. 

For  he  hath  made  him  to  be  sinne  (for  vs)  which  knewe  no  sinne  :  that  wee 
should  be  made  the  righteousnes  of  God,  in  him. 

Coloss.  i.  15.  1  6. 

Who  is  the  image  of  the  inuisible  God,  the  first  begotten  of  euery  creature* 
For  by  him  were  all  things  created  which  are  in  Heauen  and  Earth,  thinges 
visible  and  inuisible,  &c. 

Imprinted  at  London  by  Richard  lones, 

dwelling  neere  Holbourne  Bridge. 

October.  8. 


6r 


I 


10 

Good  subjects  of  England,  rejoice 
and  be  glad 

Reprinted  from  the  unique  black-letter  broadside  in  the  Library  of 
the  Society  of  Antiquaries,  London  (Lemon's  Catalogue  of  Broadsides, 
p.  26).  It  is  printed  in  two  columns  enclosed  in  a  heavy  ornamental 
border.  There  are  no  cuts  ;  but  the  first  line  begins  with  a  large 
ornamental  block-letter,  and  similar  block-letters,  spelling  the  name 
"  Ed  Campion,"  separate  the  columns. 

The  author  of  the  ballad  was  probably  the  celebrated  Smithfield  bard, 
William  Elderton.  A  true  reporte  of  the  death  and  martyrdome  of  M. 
Campion,  1581,  states  definitely  that  Elderton  had  written  at  least  one 
ballad  on  this  subject  : — 

Fonde  Elderton,  call  in  thy  foolish  rime, 

thy  scurile  balates  are  to  bad  to  sell ; 

let  good  men  rest,  and  mende  thy  self  in  time, 

confesse  in  prose  thon  hast  not  meetred  well ; 

or,  if  thy  folly  can  not  choose  but  fayne, 

write  alehouse  toys,  blaspheme  not  in  thy  vain. 

Antony  Munday,  who  had  been  instrumental  in  the  capture  and  con 
demnation  of  the  three  priests,  replied  to  this  book  with  a  bigoted 
parody  called  A  breefe  Aunswer  made  vnto  two  seditious  Pamphlets,  the  one 
printed  in  French  and  the  other  in  English,  containing  a  defence  of  Edmund 
Campion  and  his  complices,  their  moste  horrible  and  vnnaturall  Treasons  against 
her  Maiestie  fcf  the  Realme,  where  the  stanza  corresponding  to  that  just 
quoted  runs : — 

Yea,  Elderton  dooth  deskant  in  his  rime, 

The  high  offences  of  such  gracelesse  men, 
Which  causeth  him  to  yrke  at  euerie  crime, 
And  gainst  their  treasons  to  prouide  his  pen  : 
Yet  not  without  wisedome  and  modestie, 
To  warne  all  other  that  liue  wickedlie. 

(See  the  convenient  reprint  of  these  poems  in  Furnivall  and  Morfill's 
Ballads  from  MSS.  II.,  170,  183). 

No  other  ballad  on  Campion  is  preserved  in  print.  Curiously,  too, 
none  was  licensed,  or  at  least  entered  in  the  Register,  at  Stationers'  Hall. 
The  only  recorded  title  that  seems  to  be  that  of  a  ballad  is  "  master 
Campion  the  seditious  Jesuit  is  welcome  to  London/'  a  work  registered 

62 


GOOD  SUBJECTS  REJOICE  AND  BE  GLAD 

on  July  24,  1581.  This  was  evidently  an  account  of  the  arrest  of 
Campion,  Sherwin,  and  Brian.  Captured  in  Berkshire  on  July  22, 
Campion  was  carried  through  the  streets  of  London  to  the  Tower  with 
his  elbows  tied  behind  his  back,  his  hands  tied  in  front  of  his  body,  his 
feet  tied  under  the  horse's  belly,  and  with  a  placard  inscribed  "  Campion 
the  seditious  Jesuit "  fastened  on  his  hat.  He  was  twice  tortured,  was 
tried  for  treason  on  November  20,  and  was  executed  on  December  I. 
By  an  extraordinary  innovation  the  ballad  emphasizes  the  statement  that 
the  priests  were  condemned  for  treason,  "not  for  their  religion,  as 
Papists  persuade  "  (stanza  4).  Hallam,  however,  has  declared  that  "  the 
prosecution  was  as  unfairly  conducted,  and  supported  by  as  slender 
evidence,  as  any,  perhaps,  that  can  be  found  in  our  books."  The  most 
complete  and  judicious  account  of  the  priest  is  given  in  Richard 
Simpson's  Edmund  Campion,  a  Biography,  1867;  see  also  Ballads  from 
MSS.,  II.,  157  ff. 

The  following  passages  from  Stow's  Annah  (1615,  p.  694)  give 
specific  facts  and  dates  that  apply  to  the  ballad,  though  discrepancies  in 
names  will  be  noticed  : — 

"On  the  1O.  of  Nouember  [1581],  Edm.  Champion  lesuit,  Ralfe  Sherivine,  Lucas 
Kerbie,  Edivard  Rishton,  Thomas  Coteham,  Hcnric  Orton,  Robert  lohnson,  and  lames 
Bosgraue,  were  brought  to  the  high  bar  at  Westminster,  where  they  were  seuerally, 
and  all  together  indicted  vpon  high  treason,  for  that  contrary  both  to  loue  and 
dutie,  they  forsooke  their  natiue  countrey,  to  Hue  beyond  the  seas  vnder  the  Popes 
obedience,  as  at  Rome,  Rheimes,  and  diuerse  other  places,  where  (the  pope  hauing 
with  other  princes  practised  the  death  and  depriuation  of  our  most  gracious 
princesse,  and  vtter  subuersion  of  her  state  and  kingdome,  to  aduance  his  most 
abhominable  religion)  these  menne  hauing  vowed  their  alleagiance  to  the  pope, 
to  obey  him  in  all  causes  whatsoeuer,  being  there,  gaue  their  consent,  to  ayd  him 
in  this  most  trayterous  determination.  And  for  this  intent  and  purpose  they 
were  sent  ouer  to  seduce  the  harts  of  her  maiesties  louing  subjects,  and  to  conspire 
and  practise  her  graces  death,  as  much  as  in  them  lay,  against  a  great  date,  set  & 
appoynted,  when  the  generall  hauocke  should  be  made,  those  onely  reserued  that 
ioyned  with  them.  This  laid  to  their  charge,  they  boldly  denied,  but  by  a  iurie 
they  were  approoued  guiltie,  and  had  Judgement  to  bee  hanged,  bowelled,  and 
quartered. 

"The  first  of  December,  Ednond  Champion  lesuit,  Ralfe  Sherivine,  and  Alexander 
Brian  seminary  priests,  were  drawne  from  the  tower  of  London  to  Tyborne,  & 
there  hanged,  bowelled  &  quartered." 

"On  the  l8.  day  of  May  [1582],  Thomat  Ford,  lohn  Shert,  &  Robert  Johnson 
priests,  .  .  .  were  drawne  from  the  Tower  to  Tiborne,and  there  hanged,  bowelled, 
&  quartered. 

"  And  on  the  30.  Luke  Kirby,  William  Filby,  Thomas  Cottam,*nd  Laurence  Richardson, 
were  for  the  like  treason  in  the  same  place  likewise  executed." 

The  ballad  was  printed  shortly  after  the  first  execution  of  December  I . 


GOOD  SUBJECTS  OF  ENGLAND 

a  criump^  for  true  subiectg,  ant)  a 
Cerrour  tonto  al  €raitour0:  T5p  tyt 
example  of  tty  late  Deatlj  of  Edmund 

Campion,    Ralpbe    Sberwin^    atll)    Thomas 

Bryan,  3ie0uite0  anti  seminarie  prieste0: 
0ufferet)  at  cpburne,  on  JFriDap, 
fir0t  Dave  of  December, 
anno  Domini  1581. 


GOOD  Subiectes  of  ENGLAN£>E,  reioyce  and  be  glad ; 

Gyue  glorie  to  God — with  humble  knees  downe  ! — 
That  Campion  the  Traytour  his  hyre  hath  now  had, 

Who  sought  for  to  spoyle  our  queene  and  her  Crowne  ; 
And  all  vnder  colour  of  Jesuits'  profession, 
To  perswade  the  Queenes  Subiects  to  their  own  destruc 
tion. 

Therfore  vnto  God  for  our  Queene  let  vs  pray, 

That  the  Lorde  may  preserue  her  lyfe  many  a  day. 


H  And  it  was  not  he  only  that  went  thus  about, 

Under  cloake  of  Hipocrisie  Subiects'  harts  to  bring 
down  ; 

But  sundrie  Seducers  (his  Associates)  founde  out, 

That  sought  for  to  spoyle  the  Realme  and  the  Crowne  ; 

Sent  in  by  the  Pope,  Saunders,  Allen,  and  sutche, 

[Title]  Thomas :  in  an  old  handwriting  this  name  is  scratched  out 
and  the  correct  name  of  "  Alexander  "  substituted. 

[2]  5  Saunders  :  on  the  suspected  activities  of  Dr.  Saunders  in  Ireland 
see  Bishop  Challoner's  Martyrs  to  the  Catholic  Faith,  1878  ed.,  I.,  46,  6cv 
68,  105  ;  Allen  :  i.e.  Dr.  (afterward  Cardinal)  William  Allen,  who- 
founded  the  seminaries  abroad  for  the  education  of  English  priests. 


REJOICE  AND  BE  GLAD 

Who  at  England**  happy  state  most  trayterously  grutch  ; 
Which  sort  God  reuealed  with  their  trayterous  intent, 
For  what  cause  was  their  comyng,  &  who  had  them 
sent. 


11  Their  cruell  Conspyracie  at  Rome  was  deuised, 

And  the  lyke  at  Rheims  agreed  vpon  ; 
And  that  they  were  Authors,  it  was  manifestly  prooued, 

And  Styrrers,  of  late,  in  the  Irysh  Rebellion. 
And  now  were  fully  purposte  in  Englande  agayne 
To  rayse  new  Rebellion,  as  prooued  was  playne, 

To  the  great  endaungeryng  of  the  Realme  and  the 
State, 

But    Goddes    name    be    praysed,    their    deuices    are 
frustrate  ; 

W 

11  And  they  apprehended  and  iustly  condempned, 
Not  for  their  Religion,  as  Papistes  perswade, 

But  for  haynous  hie  Treason  whiche  they  did  and  in 

tended  ; 
Neither  were  they  endicted  on  the  Acte  lately  made, 

But  by  an  auncient  olde  statute,  made  long  tyme  agoe, 

As  by  their  Endictmentes  the  Recordes  do  shoe. 
Therfore,  all  true  Subiectes  haue  cause  for  to  ioy 
That  God  cut  them  off  whiche  the  Realme  did  annoy. 


[si 

11  If  they  had  preuayled,  as  they  did  intende, 
To  rayse  vp  Rebellyon  in  Countrey  and  towne, 

[3]  4  Rebellion  :  it  was  crushed  by  Lord  Grey  of  Wilton  in 
November,  1580. 

[4]  4  Act:  the  Act  of  1581  here  referred  to  is  discussed  in  tke 
Introduction,  p.  xix.  ;  6  shoe  :  i.e.  show. 

-E  65 


GOOD  SUBJECTS  OF  ENGLAND 

They  had  brought  many  a  Papist  vnto  an  yll  ende, 
As  well  as  good  subiectes  to  the  Queene  and  the 

Crowne. 

For  suche  is  their  malice  in  thirstyng  for  blood, 
To  the  one  or  the  other  they  meant  but  small  good, 
As  some  (their  late  Harbourers)  their  acquaintance 

deare  bought, 
To  others'  Example  great  cause  they  be  taught. 

[6] 

H  As  the  Deuyll,  no  doubt,  set  these  Traytours  aworke, 
By  the  Pope's  appoinctment — his  Chaplayne  of  Rome — 

Whose  spight  to  Goddes  people  is  worse  than  the  Turke 
In  dayly  enticing  Christian  Subiectes  to  come 

From  their  naturall  Prince,  withdrawyng  their  allegeance, 

And  yeld  it  by  Oath  vnto  his  obeysance  ; — 

Euen  so  from  his  falshed  God  delyuer  vs  for  euer, 
That  to  his  allurementes  our  hartes  agree  neuer. 

[7]  1 

11  Though  Campion,  his  Captayne,  did  no  whit  forget 

To  put  all  in  practise,  as  much  as  he  might, 
Yet  the  Lord  to  preuent  him  his  deuices  detecte, 

With  his  other  associates,  and  brought  them  to  light, 
To  their  vtter  confusion,  as  lately  was  seene 
By  Campion  and  others  that  hanged  haue  beene, 

Which  cal'd  themselues  lesuits,  blaspheming  his  name  ; 

But  in-deed  ranker  Traytours  in  England  nere  came. 

[8]  ...       .I 

11  These  are  the  Deuices  that  Sathan  doth  vse 

in  seekyng  Goddes  people  eche  day  to  deuoure  ; 
By  many  lyke  meanes  he  doth  them  abuse, 

as  farre  as  God  suffreth  and  is  in  his  power. 

[7]  7  his  :  i.e.  His,  Jesus'. 

66 


REJOICE  AND  BE  GLAD 

Yea,  rather  then  fayle  of  his  purposed  spight, 
He'le  transforme  him  selfe  to  an  Angell  of  light 
That,  if  it  were  possible,  the  very  Elect 
With  his  faire  Shewes  of  Holynesse  he  would  infect. 

[9] 

If  Therefore,  beware  of  him,  resist  him  and  his  Frie, 

With  all  his  illusions  and  showes  of  Hipocrisie  ! 
What  Glozes  his  Prophetes  do  bryng  do  you  trye ; 
If  they  bring  not  their  warrant  by  God's  word  and 

veritye, 
Though  they  come  in  sheep's  clothing,  let  their  talk  be 

in  vain  ; 

For  rauening  Wolues  inwarde  ye  shall  proue  them  plaine. 
By  their  fruicts  ye  shal  know  them,  the  Scripture  doth 

tel, 
Therfore,  beware  of  them,  if  you  wyll  scape  Hell. 


[10] 

11  They  will  talke  so  diuinely,  with  fancies  to  feede  you, 

And  rattle  out  Rethorique  your  mindes  to  amaze, 
With  Learning  and  Logique  theyle  seeme  for  to  lead  you 

Euen  straight  into  Heauen,  so  graue  is  their  grace. 
Theyle  make  you  beleue  that  white  is  fayre  blacke, 
Except  by  strong  fayth  ye  put  them  quite  backe  ; 

Th'  effecte  is  playne  treason  against  God  and  our 
Queene, 

As  by  these  late  Traytours  well  tryed  hath  beene. 


fl"  Yea,  treasons  playne  proued,  as  dyuers  they  were, 

As  well  in  generalyte  against  them  all 
As  also  particuler,  as  nombers  did  heare, 

[9]  7  Scripture  :  i.e.  Matthew  vii.,  1 5 . 

67 


GOOD  SUBJECTS  OF  ENGLAND 

Gainst  ech  of  them,  seuerall,  in  open  Court  hall. 
By  Letters,  by  Lybelles,  by  Bulles  and  confession, 
Were  foureteene  found  gyltie,  for  all  their  illusion, 
Beside  sundry  witnesses,  deposed  in  place, 
Avowde  seuerall  treasons,  viua  voce^  to  their  face. 


ff  Three  of  them  haue  suffred  the  Guerdon  of  treason,  — 

Not  small,  but  as  hye  as  the  lyfe  of  our  Queene, 
Was  most  plainely  proued,  yet  in  their  confession 

No  whit  they  acknowledged,  no  grace  to  be  seene. 
But  euen  as  they  lyued  in  treason  and  treachery  e, 
Euen  so  with  false  hearts  they  dyed  in  Hypocrisie, 

Acknowledging   ye   Queene   souerain    Prince   of    this 
Realm, 

But  the  Pope  of  the  Church  to  be  head  and  supreame. 


1F  God  graunt  the  rest  grace  to  repent  their  misdeedes, 
And  to  spend  well  the  time  they  haue  for  to  Hue, 

To  fly  those  affections  which  their  fancy  so  feeds 
That  God  of  his  goodnes  their  faults  may  forgiue. 

God  graunt  them  acknowledge  the  trueth  as  it  is, 

As  well  toward  God,  the  Queene,  and  the  Realme, 
That  due  prayse  and  glory  all  only  may  be  his, 
Who  to  saue  them  and  vs  suffered  death  most  extreame. 


God  blesse  and  preserue  Elizabeth  our  Queene, 

Most  graciously  to  gouerne  vs  long  time  in  this  land> 

As  now  twenty  yeares  and  three  shee  hath  beene, 
And  bring  to  confusion  her  foes  out  of  hand. 

Her  Godly  wise  Counsell  direct  them,  good  Lord, 

In  all  trueth  and  Justice  to  agree  and  accorde, 
To  roote  out  the  Rebelles  and  foes  of  this  land, 
That  our  Queene  and  her  subiectes  in  saftie  maye 
stand. 

68 


REJOICE  AND  BE  GLAD 

[IS] 

From  the  Pope  and  his  Chaplaynes  deliuer  vs,  good  Lord, 
Of  sectes  and  seditions  that  we  may  beware, 

And  not  to  giue  eare,  nor  in  ought  to  accord, 

When   they  seeke  to  seduce  vs  in  their   trayterous 
snare. 

How  soeuer  they  cloake  it  with  c^aft  and  collusion, 

It  may  rebound  backward  to  their  vtter  confusion ! 
God  open  the  eyes  of  our  hartes  for  to  spy 
Hys  trueth  from  all  treasons,  f alshoode,  and  villanie ! 

The  names  of  the  condemned  Prtsonners  that  weare  araigned  with  CAMPION 
on  Munday,  the  twent\\e\th  of  Nouember,  and  the  rest  on  the  Thesdaye 
fillowynge,  who  remaine  in  the  Tower  of  London,  at  her  Maiesties  pleasure, 
as  yet  unexecuted. 

lohn  Bosgraue.      Thomas  Cotehamc.      Luke  Kyrbie. 
Robert  lohnson.      Edivarde  Rushton.      Henric  Orion. 
Thomas  Foord.      Thomas  Fi/lbie.      lohn  Hart. 
Laivrance  Richardson  and  Wiliidm  Shert.      And  one 
other,  named  lohn  Colyngton,  was  quight  by  the  lurie. 

AT  LONDON 

Printed  by  Richarde  lones,  dwellinge  ouer  agaynst  the 

Faulcon,  neare  Holburne  Bridge. 

Anno.  1581. 


69 


II 

O  God,  of  thy  great  might 
strengthen  our  frailty 

Addit.  MS.  15,  225,  fols.  31-33. 

This  quite  remarkable  ballad  was  written,  and  evidently  put  into  | 
circulation,  shortly  after  the  events  (1601)  which  it  describes.  It  has 
not  been  reprinted,  but  stanzas  22-24  are  quoted  in  J.  H.  Pollen's 
English  Martyrs,  p.  385.  The  first  21  stanzas  are  a  mere  conventional 
enumeration  of  other  glorious  martyrs  who  have  suffered  patiently, 
almost  identical  with  that  given  in  the  ballad  "  written  by  Mr.  Thewlis 
(No.  1 2)  ;  but  the  stanzas  which  deal  specifically  with  the  four  English 
priests  and  the  moral  drawn  from  their  execution  must  greatly  have 
strengthened  the  hearts  of  Catholic  singers  and  readers.  The  estimate 
of  the  number  of  priests  executed  in  England  (stanza  22)  as  two 
hundred  is  not,  we  are  told,  much  exaggerated. 

None  of  the  four  priests  was  guilty  of  any  crime,  apart  from  his 
religion.  Robert  Nutter,  of  Burnley,  and  Edward  Thwing,  of  York 
shire,  were  executed  at  Lancaster  on  July  26,  1600.  Nutter's  career 
had  been  a  stormy  one  :  as  early  as  February,  I  584,  according  to  Bishop 
Challoner,  he  had  been  imprisoned  in  the  Tower,  "where  he  was  put 
down  into  a  dungeon  for  seven-and-forty  days,  loaded  with  chains  for 
the  greatest  part  of  the  time,  and  twice  tortured,  and  in  November 
following  was  lodged  again  in  the  same  hole,  and  remained  there  for 
two  months  and  fourteen  days."  He  is  said  rather  to  have  "  despised 
than  conquered  death,"  going  to  the  gallows  "  with  as  much  cheerful 
ness  and  joy  as  if  he  had  been  going  to  a  feast,  to  the  astonishment  of 
the  spectators."  Robert  Middleton  was  arrested  on  September  30, 
1 600,  and  carried  to  Preston,  where  his  examination  (a  report  of  which 
is  extant)  was  held.  A  rash  attempt  by  four  priests,  led  by  Thurston 
Hunt  (alias  Greenlowe),  to  rescue  him,  resulted  in  the  capture  of  Hunt. 
In  November  Hunt  and  Middleton  were  delivered  into  the  hands  of  the 
Privy  Council  at  London,  where  they  remained  in  prison  until  March 
3,  1 60 1.  They  were  then  sent  back  to  Lancaster,  the  Council  having 
given  orders  that  "  the  legges  [be]  bound  under  the  belly  of  the  horses 
they  shall  ryde  upon  and  their  hands  behinde  them," — treatment 
regularly  accorded  to  criminals.  The  result  of  the  trial  that  followed 
was,  naturally  enough,  a  sentence  of  death.  A  contemporary  account 
says  :  "  They  being  brought  to  the  place  of  execution  professed  their 
faith  very  constantly  and  dyed  very  resolutely.  They  asked  benediction 

70 


O  GOD,  STRENGTHEN  OUR  FRAILTY 

one  of  another  and  embraced  each  other  before  they  went  up  the 
gallows.  Mr  Hunt  was  first  executed,  and  having  the  corde  about  his 
neck  he  gave  his  blessing  to  all  Catholicks  there  present  which  were 
a  greate  number  :  both  executed  in  their  cassocks.  Mr  Hunt  hanged 
til  he  was  dead.  Mr  Middleton  seemed  to  have  flowen  up  the  gallows, 
he  went  so  nembly  up,  and  was  cutte  [down]  alive  by  error,  as  some 
think.  For  as  soon  as  the  rope  was  cutt  and  he  began  to  stirre  in  the 
butchers  hands,  the  sheriff  bid  streight  waies  cutt  of  his  head,  and  soe  it 
was  ;  and  thus  he  being  last  hanged  was  first  quartered." 

Abundant  information  about  the  four  priests  will  be  found  in  Pollen's 
English  Martyrs,  pp.  384-90  ;  Bishop  Challoner's  Martyrs  to  the  Catholic 
Faith,  1878  ed.,  I.,  251-53,  263  ;  Victoria  History  of  Lancaster,  VIII., 
14,  1  6  ;  Acts  of  the  Privy  Council,  ed.  Dasent,  XXX.,  751  ;  XXXI., 
194,  198,  238.  The  four  were  beatified  by  Leo  XIII.  in  1886. 

For  the  tune  see  Chappell's  Popular  Music,  II.,  517. 

a  0onge  of  faitre  pretefe0  ttiat  0uffereo 

at  Lancaster. 


To  the  Tune  of  Daintie,  come  th:u  to  me. 


O  god,  of  thy  great  might  strengthen  our  frailtie  soe, 
Stoutlie  to  stand  in  feight  against  our  infernall  foe  ! 
Thy  Campe  in  Order  standes,  where  many  a  Champion 

bould 
In  their  victorious  handes  et  email  Tryumph  hould. 


Saihan  sustaines  the  foyle,  Christ  gaines  the  victorie, 
The  world  doth  well  recoile,  the  flesh  doth  faint  we  see. 
Let  vs  march  on  amaine,  Christ's  Crosse  be  our  good 

speede, 
Full  resolu'd  to  sustaine  what  Jesus  hath  decreede. 

-  [3] 

In  measure  of  our  feight,  reward  we  beare  a-way  ; 
Then  let  vs  stand  vpright  stronglie  in  our  aray  ; 

[2]  I  foyle  =  defeat. 

71 


O  GOD  OF  THY  GREAT  MIGHT 

And  never  be  dismaide  with  anie  adversitie, 
Sith    Christ,  our   lord,  hath    said  :    "  take  my  Crosse, 
followe  mee." 


Our  lord  is  gonne  before  with  his  Crosse,  rufullie 
Laid  on  his  shoulders  sore,  to  mount  of  Caluarie  ; 
Our  blessed  Ladie  sweete  this  dolfull  sight  did  see, 
With  her  sonne  shee  did  meete,  laden  soe  cruellie. 

[5]  m        1; 

The  sworde  of  sorrow  then  pearced  her  louinge  hart. 
Amongst  all  blessed  men  Christ  doth  his  Crosse  impart. 
From  Abell  to  Zacherie,  the  scripture  telleth  plaine, 
By  greeuous  crueltie  many  sweete  saintes  were  slaine. 

[6] 

O  the  seven  machabees  with  their  sweete  mother  deare, 
The  wonderful  cruelties  those  blessed  marters  beare 
Would  throughlie  foarce,  I  thinke,  the  hardest  hart  to 

thawe  ; 
Yet  would  they  never  shrinke  from  Christ  his  most  sacred 

lawe. 


. 

Eich  Prophet  and  eich  saint  of  the  Quid  Testament 
In  hart  did  never  faint,  but  with  their  Crosse  content  ; 
But  walked  on  louinglie,  St.  Paule  did  plainlie  say, 
That  to  them  there  might  bee  more  joy  the  latter  day. 

[8]  j 

St.  lohn,   that   Prophet  great,   whome   Christ   did    soe 

commend, 
Reproouinge  Herald's  lust,  whoe  lewdlie  did  offend, 

[3]  4  See  St  Matthew  xvi.,  24. 

[6]  3  throughlie  :  i.e.  thoroughly  ;  4  Christ  his  :   read  Christ's. 

[8]  2  Herold's  :  i.e.  Herod's. 

72 


STRENGTHEN  OUR  FRAILTY 

A  wench  heroldes  fancie  fed,  soe  with  her  dancing  skill, 
That  saint  John  lost  his  head  at  a  lewd  woman's  will. 

[9] 

All  the  Apostles  deare,  whose  happie  lot  was  such, 
Their  weightie   crosses    bare,   for  god   did  loue   them 

much  :  — 

St.  Peter  principall  vpon  a  Crosse  was  kil'd, 
His  louinge  duties  all  to  Christ  were  soe  fulfil'd. 

[10] 

St.  Paule,  that  b[l]essed  wight,  godes  elect  vessell  deare, 
In  travell  day  and  night  his  painfull  Crosse  did  beare  ; 
And,  as  the  storie  saith,  by  the  sword  lost  his  head  ; 
In  plantinge  of  Christ's  faith,  his  sacred  blood  was  shedd. 


. 

St.  Andrew  with  godes  aide,  when  he  his  Crosse  did  see  : 
"  O  good  crosse,"  then  he  said,  "  welcome  thou  art  to 

mee  ; 
Take  me  with  gladsome  cheere,  whoe  long  haue  wisht  for 

thee, 
For  soe  my  sauiour  deere  thus  hath  redeemed  mee  !  " 


Lykewyse  St.  James  the  Just,  for  his  fidelitie, 

From  a  Tower  he  was  thrust,  brained  most  cruellie  ; 

St.  Earthlomew,  also,  aliue  did  lose  his  skinne, 

Fleed  from  the  top  to  toe,  thereby  godes  blisse  to  winne. 

[13] 

St.  Stephen,  stoned  to  death  by  the  Jezues  feirce  and  fell, 
Through  bloodie  tormentes  past  in  endlesse  joyes  to  dwell; 

[8]  3  A  wench  :  i.e.  Salome  (St  Matthew  xiv.,  1-12). 

[12]  i  James  :  i.e.  the  Apostle,  St.  James  the  Less,  who  was  thrown 
from  the  battlements  of  Jerusalem  and  stoned  to  death  ;  3  Barthlomew  : 
i.e.  Bartholomew  ;  4  Fleed  :  i.e.  flayed. 

73 


O  GOD  OF  THY  GREAT  MIGHT 

St.  Lawrence  eake,  god  wot,  long  time  did  broile  and  fry 
Vpon  a  grid-Iron  hot,  for  Jesus'  sake  to  dye. 


. 

And  st.  5  'abas  tine,  quicke,  vnto  a  tree  was  bound,  — 
With  arrowes  sharpe  and  thicke  shot  through  with  manie 

a  wounde. 

O  whoe  can  wryte  with  pen,  or  yet  what  tonge  can  showe, 
What  loue  these  blessed  men  did  to  their  maker  owe  ? 


Infinite  marters  moe,  which  pen  cannot  expresse, 
In  this  same  way  did  goe  to  endlesse  happinesse, 
With  merie  hart  and  cheere  in  their  most  deepe  distresse, 
For  god  would  not  for-beare  to  leaue  them  comfortlesse. 

[16]  -  .      I 

And  such  as  marterdome  kiPd  not  with  violence 
To  their  conflict  did  come  in  Austeare  penitence, 
In  praier  to  entreat,  in  fast  and  discipline, 
In  workes  of  mercie  great,  and  soe  they  spent  their  time. 


Thus  Christ  hath  gonne  before  ;  and  thus  hath  followed 

fast 

All  his  saintes  euermore,  whose  Crosses  now  are  past. 
Raigninge  in  heauen  aboue,  crowned  with  glorie  great, 
In  measure  of  their  loue  eich  hath  his  kinglie  seat. 

[18] 

Codes  grace  it  was  that  made  the  saintes  soe  well  to  doe  ; 
Let  vs  not  be  airraid,  for  that  is  oures  alsoe  ! 

[14]  i  Sabastine  :  i.e.  St.  Sebastian,  A.D.  288  ;  according  to  the  story, 
he  did  not  die  after  the  tortures  here  mentioned,  but  later,  at  the  order 
of  Emperor  Dioclesian,  was  beaten  to  death. 

[15]  i  moe  =  more.  [16]   3  praier:  i.e.  pray-er. 

74 


STRENGTHEN  OUR  FRAILTY 

If  we  will  seeke,  therefore,  by  feruent  prair  still, 
Though  our  crosse  greeue  vs  sore,  godes  grace  shall 
strength  our  will. 

[19] 

Was  ever  blessed  wight,  since  man  first  came  to  losse, 
That  wonne  eternal!  blisse  without  bearinge  his  Crosse  ? 
All  of  necessitie,  as  saint  Paulle  doth  repeate, 
Walke  to  felicitie  with  toiles  and  trouble  greate. 

[20] 

Wor[l]dlinges  heereat  will  muse  in  their  volupteousnesse, 
And  thinke  these  wordes  I  vse  nothinge  but  foolishnesse. 
Godes  wisdome,  as  we  reade,  amongst  the  worldlie-wise 
Is  follie  deem'd  indeede  vnto  their  veiled  eies. 


But  let  the  flesh  repine,  let  worldlie  wittes  say  nay. 
Let  vs  beginne  in  time  to  walke  this  blessed  way, 
As  manie  marters  doe  in  these  our  present  daies, 
Many  confessors,  too,  —  godes  name  haue  all  the  prayse  ! 


In  this  our  English  coast  much  blessed  blood  is  shed  : 
Two  hundred  preistes  almost  in  our  time  martered  ! 
And  manie  lay-men  dye  with  joyfull  sufferance, 
Manie  moe  in  prison  lye,  godes  cause  for  to  advance  ! 

[23] 

Amongst  these  gratious  troupe,  that  follow  Christ  his 

traine 
To  cause  the  devill  stoupe,  foure  preistes  were  lat[e]lie 

slaine  :  — 

[18]  3  prair  :  i.e.  pray-er.  [23]  i  these  :  read  this. 

75 


O  GOD  OF  THY  GREAT  MIGHT 

Nutter's    bould    constantie,    with    his    sweete    fellow, 

Thwinge, 
Of  whose  most  meeke  modestie  Angells  and  saintes  may 

singe  ! 


Hunters  hawtie   corage   staut,   w[it]h   godlie   zeale   soe 

true, 
Myld   middleton,  —  o  what   tonge  can  halfe  thy  virtue 

shew  !  — 

At  Lancaster,  louingly,  these  marteres  tooke  their  end 
In  glorious  victorie,  true  faith  for  to  defende. 


[25] 

And  thus  hath  Lancashyre  offered  her  sacrifice 

To  daunt  their  lewde  desyre  and  please  our  sauiour's 

eies  ! 

For  by  this  meanes,  I  trust,  truth  shall  haue  victorie, 
When  as  that  number  just  of  such  saintes  compleat  bee. 


Whoe  the  holie  ghost  doth  moue  vnto  his  deitie, 
In  feruent  flames  of  loue  thus  sacrifis'd  to  bee, 
Whose  faith  and  fortitude,  whose  grace  and  constantie, 
With  mildnesse  meeke  indude,  confoundeth  heresie  ; 


[27] 

Whose  sacred  members  rent,  and  quarters  set  on  hye, 
Caus'd  moe  to  be  content  in  the  same  cause  to  dye  ; 
Whose  Hues  whyle  they  did  Hue,  whose  blessed  deaths 

also, 
Doe  admonishion  giue  what  waie  we  ought  to  goe. 

[23]  3  constantie  :  i.e.  constancy. 

[24]  i  with  :  MS.  defective  here.        [26]  4  indude  :  i.e.  endued. 

76 


STRENGTHEN  OUR  FRAILTY 

[28] 

If  we  should  them  dispise,  as  manie  wretches  doe, 

We  should  contempne,  likewise,  our  blessed  sauiour  too, 
Let  their  examples,  then,  moue  our  hartes  to  relent — 
These  were  most  blessed  men,  whom  god  to  vs  hath  sent. 


[29] 

Codes  holie  truth  they  taught,  and  seal'd  it  with  their 

blood, 

Dyinge,  with  tormentes  fraught,  and  all  to  doe  vs  good. 
Let  lyinge  heresie  with  her  false  lyebilles  lout, 
Truth  will  haue  victorie  through  such  mild  champions 

stout  ! 

[30] 

Praise   be   to   godes   good   will,  whoe   doeth   his   truth 

defend  ! 

Lord,  to  thy  Viniard  still  such  worthie  workemen  send  ! 
And,  good  lord,  grant  vs  grace  that  we  may  constant  bee, 
With  our  Crosse  in  each  place  to  please  thy  maiestie  ! 


On[e]  thinge  here  I  request  and  still  of  thee  implore, 
In  thy  house  to  aspire  to  dwell  for  evermore, 
There  for  to  see  thy  will  in  virtue  all  our  daise, 
And  visit  thy  temple  still  to  thyne  eternall  praise. 

I  [32] 

All  laud  and  glorie  great  be  to  the  Trinitie, 
In  his  eternall  seat  one  god  and  persones  three  ; 
And  to  the  virgin  mild,  the  Queene  of  heauen  hye, 
With  Jesus,  her  louinge  Child,  in  all  eternitie  ! 

[29]  3  lyebilles:  i.e.  libels;  3  lout  =-  mock,  jeer. 
[30]  i  doeth  :  i.e.  doth. 

77 


O  GOD  OF  THY  GREAT  MIGHT 

[33] 

Vnto  all  Prophetes  meeke,  to  Christes  Apostles  deere, 
Marters,  Confessors  eake,  and  to  all  virgins  cleare, 
And  vnto  each  of  them,  Crowned  in  their  degree, 
With  joy  in  Jerusalem  godes  blessed  face  to  see  ! 


12 

True  Christian  hearts,  cease  to 
lament 

Addit.  MS.  15,225,  fols.  22v-25.  Thirteen  stanzas  are  printed  from 
this  MS.  in  J.  H.  Pollen's  Acts  of  the  English  Martyrs,  pp.  204  ff. 

John  Thewlis,  of  Upholland,  a  seminary  priest,  was  executed  for  his 
religion  at  Lancaster  on  March  18,  1616,  and  his  head  set  on  the  castle 
walls.  He  was  beatified  by  Leo  XIII.  in  1886,  and  is  entitled 
"Venerable."  Some  account  of  him  is  given  in  Bishop  Challoner's 
Martyrs  to  the  Catholic  Faith,  1878  ed.,  II.,  68,  in  the  Victoria  History  of 
Lancaster,  1914,  VIII.,  16,  and  in  Pollen's  Acts.  See  also  the  next 
ballad  (No.  1 3),  which  describes  his  death. 

It  is  by  no  means  improbable  that  Thewlis  was  actually  the  author 
of  this  ballad  :  cf.  stanzas  1 5  and  1 9,  in  which  he  appears  to  be  address 
ing  his  fellow-prisoners.  The  custom  of  writing  farewell  verses  from 
prison  (debased  though  it  was  by  the  shameless  fabrications  of  the  ballad- 
journalists)  was  general.  For  poetry  the  ballad  is  not  distinguished. 
Particularly  awkward  is  the  variation  in  the  refrain  between  rising  and 
rising.  The  lengthy  enumeration  of  earlier  martyrs  is  conventional  :  in 
the  "Song  of  the  Four  Priests"  (No.  1 1)  almost  the  same  enumeration 
is  made.  With  stanza  1 3  may  be  compared  these  verses  which  appear 
with  music  in  Byrd's  Psalmes,  1588,  XXXIII.  : — 

That  stoare  of  such  were  once  on  earth  pursu'd 
the  histories  of  auncient  times  record, 
whose  con>«tancie  great  tirants  rage  subdu'd, 
through  patie«t  death  professing  Christ  their  Lord, 
as  his  Apostles  perfect  witnesse  beare, 
with  many  more  that  blessed  Martirs  were. 

Whose  patience  rare  &  most  couragious  minde 
with  fame  renoum'd  perpetuall  shall  endure, 
by  whose  examples  we  may  rightly  finde, 
of  holie  life  and  death  a  patterne  pure : 
that  we  therfore  their  vertues  may  embrace, 
pray  we  to  Christ  to  guide  vs  with  his  grace. 

St.  Laurence  (cf.  stanza  1 2)  was  so  frequently  referred  to  in  Elizabethan 
and  Jacobean  days  that  his  "  Grid-yron  "  came  near  losing  its  significance  : 
trifling  uses  of  the  phrase  abound,  as  in  Mercurius  Democritus  for  September 
7.14,  October  5-12,  1653,  pp.  573,  602.  Antony  Munday,  in  his 

79 


TRUE  CHRISTIAN  HEARTS 

English  Romaine  Life,  1582,  sig.  04,  observes  of  St.  Laurence's  Church  in 
Rome  :  "  There  also  they  saye  to  be  the  Grediron  whereon  S.  Lauraunce 
was  broyled  :  but  that  I  neuer  sawe."  A  coarse  song  of  "  A  Puritan  " 
in  Merry  Drollery,  Part  I.,  1661,  p.  2,  contains  the  lines  : 

Here's  a  Rib  of  St.  Laurence, 
'Tis  also  at  Florence, 
And  it  may  be  in  France,  or  in  Spain  ; 
It  cures  Stone  and  Gravel  .   .   . 

foUowtt)  ttye  songe  mr. 
uirit  l;im  sclfe. 

To  the  Tune  of  [none  given]  . 


True  Christian  hartes,  cease  to  lament, 

for  greefe  it  is  in  vaine  ; 
For  Christ,  you  know,  was  well  content 

to  suffer  bitter  payne, 
That  we  may  come  to  heaven  blisse, 

there  joyfully  to  singe. 
Whoe  doth  beleeue,  shall  never  misse 

to  haue  a  joy  full  ry  singe. 


But,  England?,  heere  my  hart  is  sad 

for  thy  great  crueltie  ; 
And  losse  of  faith  which  once  thou  had 

of  Christianitie  ; 
In  thee  false  doctrine  doth  appeare 

abundantlie  to  springe, 
Which  is  the  cause,  I  greatlie  feare, 

thou  loose  thy  happie  ry  singe. 

[3] 

As  for  my  selfe  I  am  not  affraid 
to  suffer  constantlie  ; 

[i]  5  heaven  :  read  heaven's.          [2]  8  thou  loose  :  read  thou'll  lose. 

80 


CEASE  TO  LAMENT 

For  why  ? — due  debt  must  neede  be  paid 

vnto  sweete  god  on  hye. 
St.  Paule  he  being  firme  of  faith, 

hopinge  with  saintes  to  singe, 
Most  patientlie  did  suffer  death — 

lord  send  vs  bap-pie  ryseinge  I 

w 

Marke  well  my  ghostlie  victorie, 

my  frendes  both  great  and  smale, 
Bee  firme  of  faith,  remember  me, 

and  dread  not  of  your  fale. 
For  you,  my  sheepe,  I  (sheaparde)  haue 

mad[e]  labour  for  to  bringe, — 
You  to  my  fould,  your  soules  to  saue — 

Christ  send  vs  happie  ryseinge  ! 

[5] 

I  haue  said  masse  and  mattinnes  both, 

and  true  instructions  tought ; 
Confirmed  by  the  holie  Ghost 

and  mightie  power  wrought ; 
The  holie  communion,  also, 

with  manna  ever  liuinge, 
The  holie  Sacramentes  I  taught — 

lord  send  vs  happie  rysing  ! 

[6] 

Christis  passion  oft  before  your  face, 

I  haue  declared  plaine  ; 
How  for  our  sinns  he  suffered  death, 

and  how  he  rose  againe  ; 
And  how  the  twelue  Apostles,  eike, 

were  put  to  death  for  preachinge 

[6]  i  Christis  :  read  Christ's. 

81 


TRUE  CHRISTIAN  HEARTS 

The  Catholike  faith  which  Christ  did  teach— 
Christ  send  vs  happie  ry  singe  ! 

[7] 

St.  Andrew  he  condempned  was 

vpon  a  Crosse  to  dye. 
The[y]  could  not  hurt  his  sacred  soule, 

she  to  thee  then  did  fly  ; 
There  streatched  foarth  her  armes  soe  wyde, 

most  joyfullie  doth  singe, 
That  we  with  her  may  there  a-byde — 

Christ  send  vs  happie  ry  singe  ! 

[8] 

St.  James  he  never  did  refuse 

most  faithfullie  to  pray, 
Euen  when  the  cruell-harted  jfewes 

did  take  his  life  away. 
And  St.  Bartholomew,  also, 

a-liue  did  loose  his  skinne  ; 
Yea,  for  his  truth  and  confidence 

in  Christ,  our  heavenlie  kinge. 


St.  lohn  Euangelist  did  preach, 

being  simplelie  arayed, 
The  Catholike  faith  (in  Englande  heere, 

though  now  it  be  decaid). 
St.  lames  the  more  headed  was  he, — 

of  death  he  fealt  the  stinge, — 

[7]  i  According  to  the  legend  St.  Andrew  was  crucified  at  Patrae  in 
Achaia. 

[8]  i  James:  i.e.  St.  James  the  Less,  or  the  Just.  Cf.  No.  n, 
stanza  1 2,  note. 

[9]  5  James :  the  first  apostle  to  suffer  martyrdom,  beheaded  at 
Jerusalem. 

82 


CEASE  TO  LAMENT 

Although  he  liued  verteouslie  — 
lord  send  vs  happie  ry  singe  J 

[10] 

St.  Matthew  lost  his  life  becau[s]e 

godes  word  he  did  maintaine  ; 
And  manie  saintes  in  like  case, 

which  truth  could  not  refraine. 
St.  Thomas,  the  apostle  cleere, 

he  by  a  cruell  kinge 
Was  murthered  with  a  hatefull  speare 

lord  send  vs  happie  ry  singe  ! 


St.  Paule,  a  Catholike  of  Roome, 

for  loue  of  Christ  he  beare, 
Did  lease  his  life,  but  yet  his  fame 

is  spread  both  far  and  neare. 
St.  Steuen  was  ston'd  to  death,  also, 

and  when  he  lay  a-dyinge, 
He  prayed  for  his  enemyes  — 

Christ  send  vs  happie  ry  singe  ! 

[12] 

Moreover,  Marke  Evangelist, 

a  cruell  death  died  hee  : 
A  rope  about  his  necke  was  cast, 

and  dragg'd  to  death  was  hee. 

[  i  o]  3  saints  :  MS.  substitutes  for  Angels,  in  :  later  hand  makes  MS. 
read  in  the,  to  restore  metre  ;  6  according  to  Leucina,  in  his  false  Acts,  the 
"cruel  king"  was  Gundaphore,  —  usually  explained  as  the  King  of 
Gandispor,  a  city  in  Persia. 

[i  i]  7  See  Acts  vii.,  viii. 

[12]  2  died  :  on  April  25,  A.D.  68,  tempo  Nero.  He  was  dragged  for 
two  entire  days. 

83 


TRUE  CHRISTIAN  HEARTS 

St.  Lawrence  on  a  grid-  Iron  hot 
did  lye  most  freshlie  fryinge, 

Was  put  to  cruell  death,  god  wot  — 
Christ  send  vs  happie  ry  singe  ! 

[13]  ;    : 

And  manie  saintes  and  marters  moe, 

which  were  too  long  to  wryte, 
Haue  suffered  cruell  death,  you  knowe, 

as  scripture  doth  recyte. 
They  now  with  Christ  aboue  doe  raigne, 

and  joyfully  doo  singe, 
That  we  may  all  attaine  godes  loue  — 

Christ  send  vs  happie  ry  singe  ! 


And  then  why  should  I  be  afraid 

to  suffer  constantlie  ? 
Sith  in  this  cause  soe  manie  saintes 

did  suffer  patientlie  ; 
And  left  examples  for  vs  all 

that  we  with  them  may  singe  ; 
God  grant  wee  may  for  mercie  call, 

and  haue  a  happie  ryseinge  ! 


[15] 

O  yea  poore  prisoners,  dread  not  death, 
though  you  haue  donne  amisse  ; 

But  pray  to  god  with  faithfull  hartes 
to  bringe  you  vnto  blisse  ; 

[12]  6  fryinge  :  This  horrible  word  does  not  seem  to  have  jarred  on 
the  Elizabethan  ear.  Many  instances  of  its  use  occur  ;  e.g.  "  I  fry  in 
freesing  colde "  (Southwell's  Poems,  ed.  Grosart,  p.  85),  "Each  noure 
amidst  the  deepe  of  hell  I  frie  "  (John  Dowland's  First  Book  of  Songs, 
1600,  XVI.),  "I  ...  with  loue  doth  fry,  doth  fry  "  (Thomas  Weelkes's 
Madrigals,  1600,  sig.  Dz).  See  also  No.  n,  stanza  13. 

[13]  i  moe  =  more.  [15]  i  yea:  i.e.  ye. 


CEASE  TO  LAMENT 

Confesse  your  sins  with  contreete  hartes 

vnto  our  heauenlie  kinge  ; 
For  he  is  mercifull  indeed — 

Christ  send  vs  happie  ry singe  ! 

[16]    f 
There  is  noe  man  Hues  in  such  case 

that  hath  not  done  amisse  ; 
Yet  through  repentance  and  godes  grace 

may  reape  eternall  blisse. 
Our  sauior  Christ  did  suffer  death, 

poore  soules  in  blisse  to  bringe 
Vnto  that  blessed,  heavenlie  place — 

god  send  vs  joy  full  ryseinge  ! 

[17] 

The  saintes  also  did  suffer  death, 

and  marteres  as  you  heare  ; 
And  I  my  selfe  am  now  at  hande, 

but  death  I  doe  not  feare. 
Then  haue  I  trust  of  greater  grace 

vnto  my  soule  will  bringe, 
When  we  shall  meete  both  face  to  face 

Before  ou\r~\e  heavenlie  kinge. 

[i  8] 

Noe  heardle  hard  nor  hempen  rope 

canne  make  me  once  afraid  ; 
Noe  tyrantes  knife  against  my  life 

shall  make  me  disamaide. 

[17]  6  will  :  read  to  ;  8  oure  :  MS.  possibly  one. 

[18]  i  heardle:  i.e.  hurdle,  a  kind  of  sledge  on  which  till  1870 
traitors  were  drawn  through  the  streets  from  the  prison  to  the  place  of 
execution.  Sometimes,  according  to  contemporary  accounts,  horses 
obstinately  refused  to  draw  the  hurdles  on  which  Catholic  martyrs  were 
placed,  an  incident  regarded  as  a  sign  from  heaven.  Cf.  Pollen's  English 
Martyrs,  pp.  60,  185,  231,  etc. 

85 


TRUE  CHRISTIAN  HEARTS 

Though  flesh  and  bones  be  broken  and  tome, 

my  soule,  I  trust,  will  singe 
Amongst  the  glorious  cornpanie, 

with  Christ,  our  heavenlie  kinge. 

[19] 

Thus  I,  your  frend  lohn  Tbuelis, 

haue  made  my  latest  end, 
Desyreinge  god,  when  his  will  is, 

vs  all  to  heaven  send  ; 
Where  neither  strange  nor  dampned  crewe 

can  greefe  vnto  vs  bringe. 
And  now  I  bid  my  last  adue  — 

Christ  send  vs  happie  ryseinge  ! 

[20] 

God  grant  you  grace  still  in  your  hartes 

false  doctrine  to  refraine, 
And  hould  the  true  Catholi[ke]  faith, 

which  Christ  did  once  ordaine. 
All  honour  be  to  god  of  hoastes, 

all  glorie  to  his  sonne, 
All  praise  be  to  the  holie  ghost, 

three  persones  all  in  one  ! 


[20]  3  Catholike  :   MS.  leaves  space  for  the  letters  ke. 


86 


'3 

O  God  above  relent 


Addit.  MS.  I5,225,fols.  25-27v.  Stanzas  written  in  double  columns 
on  each  page. 

This  marvellous  ballad  has  escaped  the  eye  of  all  ballad-collectors, 
though  it  has  been  inaccurately  reprinted  in  J.  H.  Pollen's  Acts  of  the 
English  Martyrs ',  pp.  194  ff.  No  other  ballad,  and  but  few  prose 
accounts,  comparable  to  it,  in  its  graphic  journalism,  its  nai've  admixture 
of  the  supernatural,  and  in  what  modern  critics  are  fond  of  calling 
human  interest,  either  about  Protestant  or  Catholic  martyrs  exists.  In 
spite  of  his  halting  poetry,  the  author  makes  the  unfortunate  priest  appear 
in  a  most  attractive  light ;  and  the  mildness,  the  resignation,  of  his  tone 
is  wholly  remarkable.  The  "constant  wight"  of  Part  I.,  stanza  33, 
was  Roger  Wrennall,  a  weaver  who  had  been  imprisoned  for  religion. 
Because  he  assisted  Thewlis  in  an  attempt  to  escape,  he  was  condemned 
to  death  and  executed  with  his  friend.  He  was  beatified  in  1886.  The 
Parson  Lee  referred  to  in  Part  I.,  stanza  7,  and  Part  II.,  stanza  18,  was 
William  Leigh,  B.D.,  rector  of  the  Standish  Church  of  St.  Wilfrid, 
Fellow  of  Brasenose  College,  and  Tutor  of  the  Prince  of  Wales  :  full 
accounts  of  his  life  are  given  in  the  Dictionary  of  National  Biography  and 
the  Victoria  History  of  Lancaster,  VI.,  189. 

Every  particular  connected  with  the  trial  and  execution  of  Thewlis 
was  many  times  duplicated  in  the  reign  of  James  I.  The  refinement  of 
cruelty  by  which  these  two  men  were  compelled  to  witness  the  execution 
of  three  felons  recalls  the  similar  case  of  Lady  Jane  Grey  and  the 
decapitated  body  of  her  husband.  Wrennall,  it  will  be  observed,  was 
forced  to  see  Thewlis  hanged,  just  as  the  priest  Middleton  watched  the 
hanging  of  his  friend  Hunt  before  his  own  turn  came  (see  No.  n). 
In  1595  two  priests,  Henry  Walpole  and  Alexander  Rawlins,  were  taken 
to  the  place  of  execution  together  ;  "  and  when  Mr.  Rawlins  was  in 
quartering,  they  showed  him  to  Father  Walpole,  bidding  him  be  more 
wise  than  to  follow  his  example  "  of  refusing  to  take  the  oath  (Challoner's 
Martyrs,  1878,  I.,  225).  An  eye-witness  of  the  execution  of  Robert 
Southwell  tells  how  that  ill-starred  poet-priest  kept  making  the  sign  of 
the  cross  for  a  considerable  space,  the  rope  being  adjusted  so  as  not  to 
break  the  neck  but  to  cause  strangulation  ;  and  adds  that  only  the 
murmurs  of  the  crowd  prevented  the  executioner  from  cutting  the  rope 
(to  proceed  with  the  ghastly  business  of  quartering)  before  life  was 
extinct.  Even  more  sympathetic  were  the  spectators  at  the  hanging  of 

87 


O  GOD  ABOVE  RELENT 

the  priest  Garnet  (in  1  606,  for  the  Gunpowder  Treason),  who  only  by 
determined  threats  prevented  his  being  prematurely  cut  down.  The 
spectators  eagerly  sought  Garnet's  blood  and  other  "  relics  "  while  his 
body  was  being  quartered  ;  and  observed  "  a  visible  and  apparent  circle 
of  red  about  his  head  in  the  form  of  a  crown  "  (John  Morris,  Father 
Gerard's  Narrative,  1871,  pp.  296  f.). 

For  the  tune  see  ChappeH's  Popular  Music,  II.,  5  1  7. 

foUotnetl)  fye  songe  of  ttie  fceatt)  of 

Hit,    Tbeivlis. 

To  the  Tune  of  Daintie,  come  thou  to  mee. 


O  god  aboue,  relent, 

and  lissten  t[o]  our  cry  ; 
O  Christ,  our  wooes  prevent, 

let  not  thy  Children  die  ! 

w 

As  at  th'  assyses  late, 

good  proofe,  too  much,  we  see, 

Thy  lambes  their  lyms  haue  lost, 
through  Tyrant  es'  Cruelltie. 

[3] 

One  Thewlis  is  the  man 

which  makes  me  call  and  cry  ; 

Come  helpe  me  all  that  can 
of  Christ  to  beg  mercie  ! 

w 

His  courage  myld  and  meeke, 
and  his  most  comlie  glee, 

[  i  ]  2  to  our  :  MS.  tour. 

[2]   i   assyses:    i.e.  assizes  —  held    at   Lancaster  in    1616  ;    3   lyms 
MS.  possibly  lyu[e]s. 

88 


O  GOD  ABOVE  RELENT 

His  answere  not  to  seeke, 
in  middes  of  misserie, — 

[s] 

In  a  dungeon  he  was  cast, 
amonge  the  theeues  to  lye. 

Of  all  meates  he  did  tast[e] 
which  came  to  fellons'  fee. 


[6] 

And  in  th'  assyses  weeke, 
in  lent,  arainde  was  he  ; 

Where  frendes  and  kinsfolks  were 
to  see  hjs  constanccie. 

[7] 

Best  preachers  in  the  land — 
by  name  one  parson  Lie  ; 

Noe  better  can  be  found 
within  the  Counterie — 

[8]   _ 
Three  seuerall  daies  did  tempt 

to  try  his  constancie  ; 
The  judge  beinge  present  there, 

with  all  his  companie. 

[9] 

To  all  thinges  they  demande, 
he  answeres  Cheerfully e  ; 

His  answere  there  was  sound 
in  all  contraversie. 

[4]  4  middes :  I.e.  midst. 

[7]  2  by  :  read  perhaps  to  ;  Lie  :  i.e.  Lee  (Leigh). 


O  GOD  ABOVE  RELENT 

[10] 

As  they  were  apt  to  moue 
from  poynt  to  poynt,  trulie 

He  did  not  them  reprooue, 
but  answered  quyetlie. 


When  they  could  not  preueile 
to  wrest  his  constantie, 

They  did  him  treator  call, 
and  said  that  he  should  die. 


Then  smylinglie  he  said, 

with  sweete  and  pleasant  glee  : 

"  Noe  treason  I  haue  wrought, 
nor  wicked  Treacherie. 

[13] 

"  Noe  Treason  I  haue  done 
against  king  nor  Countrie  ; 

Christ  Jesus,  godes  owne  sonne, 
a  witnes  take  for  mee. 

[14] 

"  It  is  for  his  deere  sake, 
his  Church  both  meeke  and  free, 

That  I  doe  vndertake 

a  true  Catboli\ke\  to  dye  ; 

[15] 

"  It  is  for  his  deere  sake, 
that  gaue  his  life  for  me, 

[n]  2  constantie  :  i.e.  constancy.        [13]  2  king  :  i.e.  James  I. 
[14]  4  Catholike  :  space  is  left  in  the  MS.  for  the  letters  ke. 

90 


0  GOD  ABOVE  RELENT 

My  Crosse  I  vndertake, 
his  spouse  to  glorifie." 

[16] 

Then  they  gaue  him  a  note  : 

th'  effecte  did  signifie 
That  he  must  take  the  oeth, 

or  eles  prepare  to  dye. 

[17] 

Then  answered  he  and  said  : 
"  for  dutie  temperall, 

1  anye  oeth  will  take, 
whensoeuer  you  doe  call. 

[18] 

"  For  o-ther  oath,"  quoth  he, 

"  I  vtterlie  denye. 
God  saue  our  king  and  queene, 

and  send  them,meekle  joy  !  " 

[19] 

Accordinge  to  the  law, 

death  sentance  then  had  hee  ; 

And,  as  all  people  knowe, 
he  took  it  patientlie. 

[20] 

On  fry  day  in  the  morne, 
attempted  sore  was  hee  ; 

They  wilde  him  to  reforme 
and  take  the  king's  mercie. 

[16]  3  oeth  :  i.e.  oath. 

[18]  3  I.e.  James  I.  and  Anne  ;  4  joy  :  read  glee. 

[20]  3  wilde  :  i.e.  willed. 

91 


O  GOD  ABOVE  RELENT 


. 

His  kinsfolke,  in  like  cause, 

did  proffer  gould  and  fee, 
If  his  faith  hee  would  refuse, 
a  Protestant  to  bee. 

[22] 

He  gaue  them  hartie  thankes, 
and  tould  them,  Cheerfullie, 

His  life  they  should  not  craue  — 
a  Protestant  to  bee. 

[23] 

In  wrastinge  of[f]  his  bondes 

somwhat  too  hastilie, 
They  hurt  his  tender  leggs, 

whereat  they  seem'd  sorie. 


Then  smylinglie  he  said  : 

"  Forbeare  to  mourne  for  mee  ! 
Smale  hurts  doe  little  greeue, 

when  great  on[e]s  are  soe  nye. 

[25]  _ 

"  I  thanke  my  sauiour  sweete 
from  these  bondes  I  am  free  ; 

Soe  soone  I  hope  I  shalle 
from  all  extremitie. 

[26] 

"  By  afflixtions  god  doth  prooue 
who  his  true  Children  bee  ; 


21]  2  Bishop  Challoner  (he.  cit.)  tells  of  one  person's  offering  Thewlis 
Q  yearly  for  the  rest  of  his  life  if  he  would  take  the  oath. 

92 


O  GOD  ABOVE  RELENT 

Christ  Jesus  this  can  remooue, 
in  the  twinklinge  of  an  eye  !  " 


They  forst  him  to  the  Church, 

in  spite  of  his  bodie, 
Wher  he  full  myldlie  sate, 

for  all  their  crueltie. 


[28] 

Then  did  he  aske  the  Sheriff  e 
his  breedren  for  to  see, 

With  them  to  take  his  leaue 
before  he  went  to  dye. 

[29] 

The  sheriffe  gaue  consent — 
he  thankt  him  hartelie. 

He  to  his  breedren  went 
with  humble  Curtesie. 

[30] 

Then  did  he  frendlie  leaue 
of  all  his  breethren  take  ; 

Sayinge,  "  doe  you  not  greeue, 
nor  mourne  not  for  my  sake  ; 

[31] 

"  For  it's  godes  blessed  will 
that  I  must  leade  the  way  ; 

But  be  you  constant  still, 
and  I  will  for  you  pray." 

93 


O  GOD  ABOVE  RELENT 

[32] 

And  then  with  watterie  Cheekes, 
they  parted  mournfullie ; 

His  gesture  little  shranke — 
such  was  his  constantsie. 


[33] 

Another  Constante  wight, 
which  I  had  neare  forgot, 

Was  constant  day  and  night, 
and  thankfull  for  his  lot ; — 

[34] 

On[e]  wrennall  was  he  cal'd, 

a  lay-man  happie  he, 
They  both  prepar'd  themselues 

on  hurdle  for  to  lye. 

[35]  _ 

And  thus  these  faithfull  wightes 
soe  myldlie  fram'd  the  same  : 

The  father  and  the  sonne 
thus  hath  their  journey  tane. 

[36] 

My  muse  beginns  to  faint, 
and  greefe  me  overflowe  ; 

But  of  these  martered  saintes, 
the  seconde  part  shall  showe. 

[35]  4  journey  :  MS.  joirney. 


94 


O  GOD  ABOVE  RELENT 


gecont)  part. 


As  Tbewles  past  the  way, 

the  poorest  he  did  spye  ; 
He  gaue  that  money  he  had  lefte 

their  wantes  for  to  supplye. 

M 

O  god  aboue,  relent, 

and  listen  to  our  crye  ; 
Sweet  Christ,  thy  spouse  defend 

from  tyrantes'  crueltie  ! 

[3] 

To  Th'  execution  place, 

the[y]  beinge  thither  drawne, 

Present  before  their  face 
was  fier  one  cruell  flame. 

w 

Then  did  they  them  attempt 

their  faith  for  to  denye  ; 
Sainge  they  must  be  hangde 

and  buried  cruellie. 

[s] 

Then,  smylinge,  Thewles  said  : 
"  If  that  the  worst  may  bee, 

Our  sauiour  Christ  hath  paid 
farre  greatter  paines  for  me  !  " 

drawne  :  i.e.  on  hurdles ;  4  one  :  perhaps  in  or  a. 
they  =  the  executioners,  them  =  Thewlis  and  Wrennall 

95 


O  GOD  ABOVE  RELENT 

[6] 

Then  myldlie  they  preparde 

to  Th'  execution  place. 
Three  fellones  they  did  see 

hanged  before  their  face. 

[7]  ' 

And  at  the  ladder  foote, 
where  manie  people  stoode, 

He  held  them  with  dispute, 
while  ever  they  would  abyde. 

[8] 

Then  did  they  profer  them 
part  of  the  oath  to  take,  — 

And  they  should  not  be  slaine, 

such  frendshippe  they  would  make. 

[9] 

But  all  could  not  preveale 
their  mindes  for  to  remoue  ; 

Nor  once  their  courage  quaile, 
soe  constant  was  their  loue. 

[10] 

With  Crosse  and  signes  soe  meeke, 

the  ladder  he  did  take  ; 
Where  manie  a  watterie  eye 

appeared  for  his  sake. 


A  hundred  poundes  was  there 
for  his  life  offered  free, 

7]  3  He  =  Thewlis  ;  4  Read  while  ever  abyde  they  would. 
10]  2  he  =  Thewlis. 

96 


O  GOD  ABOVE  RELENT 

If  he  would  yet  consent 
a  protestant  to  bee. 

[12] 

Then,  smylingely,  he  said  : 
"  That  ransome  I  denye  ; 

That  may  noe  way  be  paid 
but  by  death  eternally. 

[13] 

"  I  thanke  you  for  your  loues, — 
your  good  will  all  I  see, — 

But  I  must  take  the  Crosse 
that  Christ  hath  lefte  for  me." 


Then  willingly  he  did 

himselfe  most  readie  make  ; 
He  preferred  to  vnbare, 

and  his  Cloath  of[f]  to  take. 

[15] 

A  cap  as  white  as  snowe 
over  his  face  puPd  hee  ; 

His  hat  he  threw  him  froe, 
and  purse  away  gaue  he. 


[16] 

The  hangman  plaid  his  part, 
as  he  did  him  command  ; 

Three  stroakes  upon  his  brest, 
he  gaue  with  his  right  hand, 

97 


O  GOD  ABOVE  RELENT 


The  father  beinge  gone, 
the  Child  did  after  hye  ; 

Without  all  show  of  mone 
he  suffered  willingly. 

[18] 

At  first  the  rope  did  breake, 
which  parson  Lee  did  see  ; 

He  said  it  was  godes  will, 
to  shew  him  such  mercie. 


[19] 

The[y]  profered  him  the  oath, 
which  he  did  still  denye. 

"  This  night  I  hope  we  boath 
shall  sup  in  heaven  hye." 


[20] 

The  people  moou'd  and  blusht, 

both  hye  and  low  degree, 
And  said  they  thought  noe  lesse 

but  he  should  saved  bee. 

[17]  2  the  child  :  i.e.  Wrennall. 

[18]  I  Personal  pronouns  in  this  portion  of  the  ballad  are  used  very 
carelessly  ;  but  according  to  Bishop  Challoner  (op.  «'/.,  II.,  68)  stanzas 
18-20  apply  to  Wrennall,  not  Thewlis.     "The  rope  broke  with  th 
weight  of  his  [WrennaH's]  body,  and  he  fell  to  the  ground  ;  and  after 
short  space  he  came  perfectly  to  himself,  and  going  upon  his  knees,  begai 
to   pray  very  devoutly."     He  refused   emphatically  to  take  the  oath 
saying  :  "  *  I  am  the  same  man  I  was,  and  in  the  same  mind,  use  you 
pleasure  with  me  '  ;  and  with  that  he  ran  to  the  ladder,  and  went  up  i 
as  fast  as  he  could." 

[19]  3  boath  :  i.e.  both  Thewlis  and  Wrennall. 


O  GOD  ABOVE  RELENT 

[21] 

When  that  the  rope  was  cut, 
and  quartered  he  should  be, 

The  hangman  did  denye, 
and  then  a-way  went  hee. 

[22].  "".:..',  :.:     • 
The  sherifTe  did  him  oppresse 

with  great  extremitie, 
And  said  :   "  either  thou  or  I 

must  doe  this  butcherie." 


When  Thewles  was  vnbarde, 
a  vision  there  was  seene  : 

Out  of  his  mouth  appeared 
of  couller  bright  and  sheene  ; 


Most  lyke  the  glorious  sunne, 
shyninge  in  clearest  skye, 

Downe  over  his  bodie  ranne, 
and  vanish  from  their  eye. 


The  butcher  play'd  his  part, 
his  bodie  he  did  goare  ; 

And  sure  the  hardest  hart 
did  much  his  death  deplore. 

I  M 

A  hundred  handcarchaffes 

with  his  sweete  blood  was  dight, 

[21]  2  he  :  perhaps  Thewlis  is  meant. 

123]  4  of :  read  a.  [24]  4  vanish  :  read  vanished. 

26]  i  handcarchaffes  :  I.e.  handkerchiefs. 

99 


O  GOD  ABOVE  RELENT 

As  Reliques  for  to  we[a]re 
for  this  said  blessed  wight. 


Then  were  his  quarteres  set 
vpon  the  Castell  hye, 

Where  hapt  as  strang  a  thinge 
as  ever  man  did  see. 


A  flight  of  Ravens  came, 
and  pyked  flesh  from  bones  ; 

In  the  Church-yarde  the[y]  did  light, 
and  scraped  there  deepe  holes  ! 


O  Christian  hartes,  relent  ; 

prepare  your  soules  to  saue  — 
When  fethered  foules  shall  help 

for  vs  to  make  a  graue  ! 

[30]  _     • 

O  happie  martered  saintes, 
to  you  I  call  and  crye, 

To  helpe  vs  in  our  wantes 
and  begge  for  vs  mercie  ! 

[31] 

O  Christ,  that  suffered  death, 
thy  spouse  for  to  defend, 

Lyke  co[n]stansie  till  death 
and  in  heaven  be  our  end  ! 


[26]  3  Reliques  :   MS.  Reliuqes. 
[28]  4  deepe  :  MS.  dedpe. 

100 


A  jolly  shepherd  that  sat  on 
Zion  hill 

Addit.  MS.  15,225,  fols.  1-2.  Written  in  four-line  stanzas;  the 
margins  are  closely  trimmed,  so  that  some  of  the  stanza  numbers  have 
disappeared.  Line  I  as  printed  below  is  metrically  incomplete  ;  but  it 
is  obvious  from  stanzas  ^  adfinem  that  an  eight-line  stanza  was  intended. 
On  fol.  33  of  the  MS.  the  first  two  stanzas  again  appear,  and  are 
arranged  in  seven  lines.  They  are  printed  here  as  an  example  of  the 
uncertain  spelling  even  of  the  cultivated  class  in  Jacobean  times, — a  class 
to  which  the  compiler  of  this  MS.  certainly  belonged, — and  of  the  equal 
uncertainty  of  ballad-texts. 

i 
A  Jollie  sheppard  that  sate  on  Sion  hill, 

whoe  with  his  rodde  and  shepardes  Crooke 

his  sheepe  derecteth  still, 
His  Church  it  is  the  fould, 

in  tender  grasse  they  feede, 
And  to  the  lountaines  fair  they  goe, 

which  is  his  word  indeede. 


The  way  vnto  the  holie  Church,  if  anie  list  to  goe, 

by  shepardes  Tabernacle  past 

they  must  on  foot-steppes  goe  ; 
Where  shepardes  ould  are  wonted 

to  walke  right  reuerentlie, 
And  there  this  shepardes  spouse  soe  sweete 

at  noone  day  sure  doth  lye. 

The  first  line  recalls  the  later  song  by  John  Wootton  of  "  Damaetas  ligge 
in  praise  of  his  Loue  "  in  England's  Helicon  (ed.  Collier,  pp.  5  5  f. )  : — 

Jolly  Sheepheard,  Sheepheard  on  a  hill 

on  a  hill  so  merrily, 

on  a  hill  so  cherily, 

Feare  not  Sheepheard  there  to  pipe  thy  fill, 
Fill  euery  Dale,  fill  euery  Plaine : 

both  sing  and  say  :  Loue  feeles  no  paine. 

The  ballad,  an  exposition  of  the  Crucifixion,  is  distinctly  Catholic  in 
expression  ;  but  it  was  evidently  regarded  by  Henry  Carr,  who  licensed 

101 


A  JOLLY  SHEPHERD 

it  for  publication  on  August  15,  1586,  as  "A  ballat  begynnynge  O  Jolly 
shepherd  on  Sionbill"  as  an  allegory  of  the  Holy  Protestant,  rather  than 
the  Holy  Catholic,  Church.  Possibly  Carr  omitted  the  fifth  stanza. 
Collier  (Extracts  from  the  Stationers9  Registers,  II.,  2  1  2),  following  his 
usual  manner  of  mystification  and  vague  references,  says  of  this  entry  : 
"  A  reprint  of  this  ballad  is  in  the  Roxburghe  Collection.'*  It  is  not. 


A  Jollie  sheppard 

that  sate  on  Sion  hill, 
That  with  his  rod  [and]  sheppardes  crooke 

his  sheepe  derecteth  still, 
His  Church  it  is  the  fould, 

in  tender  grasse  the[y]  feede, 
And  to  the  fountaines  faire  they  goe, 

which  is  his  word  indeede. 


The  way  vnto  the  holie  church, 

if  anie  list  to  knowe, 
By  sheppardes  tabernacle  past, 

they  must  on  foote-stepes  goe  ; 
Where  sheppardes  ould  were  wonted 

to  walke  right  reverently, 
And  there  this  sheppardes  spouse  soe  sweete 

at  noone  dayes  sure  doth  lye. 

[3]  _ 

This  Church  is  like  a  Citie  faire 

that  builded  is  on  hye  ; 
Like  to  a  candle  shininge  bright 

to  all  that  passed  by  ; 
Where  truth  shall  never  fade  away, 

but  virtue  still  abyde, 
And  where  this  sheppard  dwellinge  is, 

both  church  and  sheepe  doth  guide. 

[2]  2  know  :  substituted  by  a  later  hand  for  goe. 
102 


THAT  SAT  ON  ZION  HILL 

w 

The  holie  scriptures  sure  to  keepe, 

this  Church  she  hath  in  charge  ; 
And  power,  eike,  to  bynd  and  lose, 

to  keepe  and  let  at  large  ; 
And  with  the  holie  sacramentes 

his  sillie  flocke  to  feede, 
Which  is  his  blood  and  bodie  both 

to  them  in  time  of  neede. 

[5] 

And,  for  the  glorie  of  his  Church, 

this  shepard  did  prouide 
Both  Prophets  and  Appostles,  eake, 

and  marteres  trulie  tryde, 
With  Virgins  and  confessors  pure, 

and  docters  manie  moe, 
The  praises  of  this  holie  Church 

throughout  the  world  to  sho[w]e. 

[6] 

And  more  then  this :  he  promissed, 

when  he  should  passe  away, 
The  holie  ghost,  the  comforter, 

to  send  with  her  to  stay, 
Whoe  in  all  truth  should  her  defend, 

in  virtue  euermore, 
Although  the  waues  of  wickednesse 

should  wash  her  wales  full  sore. 

[7] 

This  Church  did  at  Jerusalem 

full  visiblelie  appeare, 
And  afterward  confirmed  was 

by  Christ,  our  sauiour  deere, 

[4]  3  lose  :  i.e.  loose  ;  6  sillie  :  i.e.  silly,  innocent,  helpless. 
7]  2  visiblelie  :  read  visibly. 

IO3 


A  JOLLY  SHEPHERD 

When  breade  and  wine  he  blessed 

and  to  his  Appostles  plaine 
Said,  "take  and  eate,  this  is  my  flesh, 

which  for  you  shall  be  slaine." 

[8] 

For  to  confirme  what  he  hath  said 

the  cruell  Jewes  that  night, 
With  clubs  and  staues  and  weapons  sharpe, 

with  toarch  and  lantorn  b[ri]ght, 
Came  for  to  take  this  shepard  sweete, 

as  he  at  prayer  was, 
If  that  his  father's  will  it  were 

that  cup  from  him  might  pas. 

[9] 

They  bound  him  fast,  they  beat  him  sore, 

they  stroake  him  on  the  face, 
They  spit  at  him,  they  rail'd  on  him, 

with  spite  and  vile  disgrace  ; 
By  witnes  false,  they  him  accus'd, 

for  to  put  downe  their  lawes, 
Although  the  Judg  did  answer  them, 

"  I  finde  in  him  noe  cause." 

[10] 

In-stid  of  princlie  Cepter, 

in  his  hand  the[y]  put  a  reede, 
And  like  a  f  oole  they  him  araid 

in  whiteish  cloathes,  indeede  ; 
They  whipt  him  soe  the  blood  ran  downe, 

his  blessed  bones  were  scene, 
And  on  his  head  a  crowne  they  set 

of  thornes  bothe  sharpe  and  keene. 

[9]  2  stroake  :  I.e.  struck. 
104 


THAT  SAT  ON  ZION  HILL 


"  Behould  the  man,"  the  Judg  did  say  ; 

they  "  crucifie  "  did  crye. 
And  Bar  abas  they  did  let  goe, 

but  Jesus  iudg'd  to  dye  ; 
Although  the  Judg  did  answere  them, 

"  I  finde  in  him  noe  ill  ; 
You  haue  a  law,  and  by  that  law, 

goe  kill  him  if  you  will." 

[12] 

Away  they  led  him  wickedlie, 

and  on  his  backe  they  cast 
The  crosse  of  our  offences  all, 

that  downe  he  fell  at  last  ; 
And  on  a  roode  betwixt  two  theeues 

they  did  him  crucifie. 
His  loue  and  likinge  to  his  Church, 

these  thinges  did  trulie  trye. 

[13] 

To  witnes  cale  those  rageinge  words 

the  two  theeues  they  did  vse, 
To  witnes  cale  the  blasphemies 

then  spoken  by  the  Jewes, 
To  witnes  cale  his  bloodie  woundes 

in  handes,  in  feete,  and  hart, 
To  witnes  cale  his  mother  deere, 

that  thereof  had  her  part. 


To  witnes  cale  the  bloodie  speare, 
which  at  his  syde  did  runne  ; 

To  witnes  cale  both  heaven  and  earth 
before  whome  it  was  done  ; 

[u]  3  Barabas  :  i.e.  Barabbas. 

105 


A  JOLLY  SHEPHERD 

To  witnes  call  both  sunne  and  moone, 

whoe  then  Eclipsed  went ; 
To  witnes  call  the  Temple  vaile 

that  all  in  sunder  rent. 


[is] 

To  witnes  calle  the  darknes  great 

that  couered  earth  and  skyes ; 
To  witnes  cale  the  dead  men's  bones, 

which  from  the  graues  did  ryse  ; 
To  witnes  cale  his  bitter  drinke 

and  Joyfull  wordes  he  saide  ; 
To  witnes  cale  his  charitie, 

when  for  his  foes  he  praid. 

[i  61 

To  witnes  cale  his  coate  vnseam'd, 

for  which  the  loates  were  cast ; 
To  witnes  cale  his  d[e]ath  and  paine, 

which  euerie  lim[b]e  did  tast  ; 
To  witnes  cale  his  goeinge  downe 

to  hell,  through  his  greate  might  ; 
To  witnes  calle  his  assendinge  vp 

to  heauen  in  glorie  bright. 

[17] 

Then  sith  this  sheppard  paid  soe  deare 

to  buy  our  freedome  lost, 
His  scornes,  his  blo[w]es,  his  blood  and  life 

was  price  of  that  it  cost  ; 
And  heere  doth  giue  vs  all  we  haue 

and  after  Joyes  for  aye, 
And  doth  requeere  our  seruice  true, 

in  humble  wise  to  pray. 

1 6]  2  loates :  i.e.  lots.          [17]  i  sheppard  :  MS.  sphepard. 

106 


THAT  SAT  ON  ZION  HILL 

[18] 

"  O  come  away,  [O]  come  away," 

this  shepard  cales  and  cryes  ; 
"  Take  vp  your  crosse  and  follow  me, 

and  doe  this  worled  dispise." 
Like  sheepe,  in  humble  sort,  let  vs 

vnto  his  voice  giue  eare, ' 
And  in  his  lawes  still  walke  vpright, 

while  we  abyden  heere. 

[19] 

"  O  come  away,  [O]  come  away," 

this  shepard  cales  and  cryes : 
"  Take  vp  your  crosse  and  follow  me, 

and  doe  this  world  dispise, 
And  in  this  house  and  truth  abyde, 

what  ever  shale  befalle, 
And  in  i[t]s  truth  both  Hue  and  dye." 

Amen,  amen,  say  all ! 

JFtnts, 

[18]  4  worled  :  i.e.  world. 


107 


No  wig/it  in  this  world  that  wealth 
can  attain 


Addit.  MS.  15,225,  fols.  7V-9V.  The  stanzas  are  numbered  in  the 
MS.,  but  some  of  the  numbers  have  been  trimmed  away  by  the  binder. 

Owen  Rogers  licensed  "  a  ballett  agaynste  covetous "  on  October  30, 
1560.  Collier,  in  his  Extracts  from  the  Stationers'  Registers,  I.,  32, 
identified  this  entry  with  the  present  ballad,  and  mentioned  another 
version  :  "  In  the  Editor's  MS.  [of  the  reign  of  James  I.]  it  has  only 
eleven  stanzas,  and  those  with  some  variations  ;  and  as  it  is  clearly  the 
older  and  more  correct  copy  of  the  two,"  and  as  "  the  title  there  accords 
more  with  that  of  the  entry  ;  viz.  : — Against  Covetousnes"  he  printed  it. 
Collier's  copy,  however,  is  an  impudent  fabrication  ;  nor  is  there  any 
reason  for  identifying  this  genuine  and  unprinted  ballad  with  the  entry 
in  the  Registers.  That  entry  is  more  applicable  to  the  ballad  here 
printed  as  No.  52  from  a  Sloane  MS.  Not  covetousness  but,  instead, 
the  evil  and  the  good  done  by  money  is  dealt  with  :  the  author  dwells,  as 
poets  of  all  times  have  delighted  to  do,  on  a  vanished  Golden  Age  when 
all  was  right  with  the  world.  The  mention  of  priests  in  stanza  23  is 
the  only  Catholic  note  in  the  ballad. 

against  nigamie  anD  riches. 


Noe  wight  in  this  world  that  wealth  can  attaine, 

vnles  he  beleeue  that  all  is  but  vaine  ; 
And  as  it  doth  come,  euen  soe  let  it  goe, 

as  tydes  vse  their  times  to  ebb  and  to  flowe. 

[2]  I 

This  muche  on  the  mould  that  men  soe  desyre 

doth  worke  them  much  wooe,  and  mooue  them  to  ire  ; 

108 


NO  WIGHT  THAT  WEALTH  CAN  ATTAIN 

With  greefe  it  is  gott,  with,  care  it  is  kept, 

with  sorrow  soone  lost  ;  that  long  hath  beene  rept, 

[3] 

And  wooe  worth  the  manne  that  first  dolue  the  mould, 
to  finde  out  the  myne  of  siluer  and  gould  ; 

For  when  it  lay  hid,  and  to  vs  vnknowne, 
of  strife  and  debate  the  seede  was  not  sowne. 

w 

Then  liued  men  well  and  held  them  content 

with  meate,  drinke,  and  cloath,  without  anie  rent  ; 

Their  houses  but  poore,  to  shrowd  themselues  in, 
for  Castles  and  Towers  were  first  to  beginne. 

I  .        Cs3 

Noe  Town  had  his  wale  ;   they  feared  noe  warre 
nor  enemies  hoast  to  seeke  them  of  farre  ; 

Soe  let  they  their  Hues  in  quiet  and  rest, 

till  hoard  beganne  hate,  from  East  vnto  West  ; 


And  gould  for  to  grow,  a  lord  of  great  price, 
which  changed  the  world  from  vertue  to  vice, 

And  turned  all  thinges  soe  farre  from  their  kind 
that  how  it  should  be  is  worne  out  of  mynd. 

_  [7] 

For  riches  beare  now  the  fame  and  the  brute, 
and  is  onelie  the  cause  of  all  our  pursuit, 

Which  maketh  amongst  vs  such  mischeeff  to  raigne, 
and  shall  till  we  seeke  the  right  way  againe. 

[2]  4  rept,  pas  t  part.  <?/*reap. 

[3]  4  seede  :  followed  in  MS.  by  who,  but  later  scratched  out.    . 

[5]  i  wale  :  i.e.  wall  ;  3  let  :  read  led. 

109 


NO  WIGHT  IN  THIS  WORLD 

[8] 
When  mariage  was  made  for  vertue  and  loue, 

then  was  noe  divorce,  godes  knotte  to  remooue  ; 
When  Judges  would  suffer  noe  brybes  in  their  sight 

their  iudgmentes  were  true,  accordinge  to  right. 


When  prelates  had  not  possessions  nor  rent, 

they  preached  the  troth,  and  truelie  they  meante  ; 

When  men  did  not  flatter  for  favour  nor  meede, 

then  kinges  h[e]ard  the  troath  and  how  the  world 
yeede, 

[10] 

And  men  vnto  honour  throwe  vertue  did  ryse  ; 

but  all  this  is  turned  cleane  contrarie  wyse  ; 
For  money  makes  all,  and  rules  as  a  god, 

which  ought  not  to  be,  for  Christ  it  forbode  ; 


And  bad  that  we  should  take  nothinge  in  hand, 

but  for  our  lordes  loue  and  the  wealth  of  the  land  ; 

And  wills  vs  full  oft  that  we  should  refraine 

from  wrestinge  his  will  to  make  our  owne  gaine. 

[12] 

For  couetous  folke,  of  euerie  estate, 

as  hardlie  shall  enter  with-ine  heauen-gate 

As  through  a  nedle  eie  a  cammell  to  creepe  ;  — 

why  doe  these  mad  men  then  hoard  vp  and  keepe  ? 

[13] 

Yea,  more  then  may  serue  themselues  to  suffice, 
as  though  perfit  blisse  should  that  way  arise  ; 

[9]  4  yeede  =  went  [from  O.E.  eoden,  to  go]. 

[10]  i  throwe  :  i.e.  through.  [12]  3  Matthew  xix.,  24. 

110 


THAT  WEALTH  CAN  ATTAIN 

But  if  they  would  suffer  to  sinke  in  their  brest, 
what  trouble  of  mynd,  what  vnquiet  rest, 


. 

What  mischeefe,  what  hate,  this  money  doth  bringe, 
they  would  not  soe  toyle  for  soe  vyle  a  thinge  ; 

For  they  that  haue  much  are  euer  in  care 
which  way  for  to  winne,  and  how  for  to  spare  ; 


Their  sleepes  be  vnsound,  for  feare  of  a  theefe  ; 

the  losse  of  a  little  doth  worke  them  much  greefe. 
In  seekinge  their  lacke,  they  want  what  they  haue, 

and  subiect  to  that  which  should  be  their  slaue. 


[16] 

They  never  doe  know,  while  riches  doe  raigne, 
a  frend  of  effect  from  him  that  doth  faine  ; 

For  flatterers  doe  seeke  where  fortune  doth  dwell, 
and  when  that  she  lowreth,  they  bid  them  farewell, 

[17] 

The  poore  doth  him  curse,  as  oft  as  they  want, 
in  hauinge  soe  much  and  make  it  soe  scant ; 

Their  children,  sometime,  doe  wish  them  in  graue, 
that  they  might  posses  the  riches  they  haue. 

[18] 

And  that  which  they  winne  with  trauill  and  strife, 
oft  times,  as  we  see,  doth  cost  them  their  life. 

Loe  these  be  the  fruites  that  riches  bringe  foarth, 
with  manie  other  moe  which  be  noe  more  worthe. 


!i  3]  4  vnquiet  : 
1 8]  4  moe  =  m 


MS.  vriquied.         [17]  I  him  :  i.e.  a  rich  man 
more. 

Ill 


NO  WIGHT  IN  THIS  WORLD 


For  money  is  cause  of  murther  and  thefte, 

of  battle,  and  bloodshed,  which  would  god  were  left  ; 

Of  ravine,  of  wronge,  of  false  witnesse-bearinge, 
of  treason  conspired,  and  eake  of  forswearinge. 


And  for  to  be  short,  and  knit  vp  the  knot, 
few  mischeefes  at  all  that  money  makes  not  ; 

But  though  it  be  ill,  when  it  is  abused, 
yet,  never-the-less,  it  may  be  well  vsed. 

[21] 

Nor  I  doe  not  find  that  men  be  denyde 

for  sufficient  thinges  them  selues  to  prouide, 

Accordinge  as  god  hath  put  them  in  place, 
to  haue  and  to  hould,  a  time  and  a  space, 

[22] 

Soe  it  be  well  wone,  and  after  well  spent, 
for  it  is  not  theirs,  but  for  that  intent. 

And  if  they  soe  doe,  then  it  is  good  still, 
they  haue  that  is  meete  to  vse  at  their  will. 

[23] 

As  Preistes  should  not  take  promotions  in  hand, 
to  Hue  at  their  ease  like  lordes  of  the  land, 

But  onelie  to  feede  godes  flocke  with  the  troth, 
to  preach  and  to  teach,  without  anie  sloth. 

[24] 

Nor  folke  should  not  need  great  riches  to  winne, 
but  gladlie  to  Hue  and  for  to  flee  sinne  ; 

His  will  for  to  worke  that  is  their  soules  health, 

and  then  may  they  thinke  they  Hue  in  great  wealth. 

[19]  i  thefte  :  substituted  in  MS.  for  strife. 
112 


THAT  WEALTH  CAN  ATTAIN 

.          '  [25] 

For  in  this  vaine  world,  which  now  we  be  in, 
is  nothinge  but  miserie,  mischeefe,  and  sinne, 

Temtation,  vntroth,  contention,  and  strife ; 
then  let  vs  not  set  by  soe  vile  a  life. 

.     [26] 

But  lift  vp  your  eies,  and  looke  through  your  faith, 
beholdinge  his  mercies  that  manie  times  saith  : 

"  The  iust  men  shall  Hue  by  their  good  beleefe, 
and  shall  haue  a  place,  where  canne  be  noe  greefe, 

[273 

"  But  gladnes  and  mirth  that  non[e]  can  amend, 
vnspeakable  ioyes,  which  never  shall  end, 

with  pleasures  that  passe  all  that  we  haue  sough[t], 
felicities  such  as  cannot  be  thought." 

[L'ENvoy] 

Which  place  they  shall  haue,  which  his  will  intends, 
with  life  everlastinge  ;   and  thus  my  tale  endes. 

Jft'nte- 


H  113 


16  :\ 

O  blessed  God,  O  Saviour  sweet 

Addit.  MS.  15,225,  fols.  nv-i3.  In  this  interesting  ballad  the 
author  —  who,  to  judge  from  stanzas  19  and  20,  was  a  priest  or,  at  any 
rate,  a  Catholic,  who  feared  "  rack  and  cord  "  —  laments  his  sins,  extols 
the  mercy  of  Christ,  and  professes  to  make  a  whole-hearted  repentance. 
The  last  stanza  is  not  numbered  in  the  MS.,  and  is  an  exact  repetition 
of  the  last  four  lines  of  the  ballad  on  "  Calvary  Mount  "  (No.  22).  The 
repetition  may  possibly  be  due  to  confusion  on  the  part  of  the  copyist. 


_ 

O  blessed  god,  O  sauiour  sweete, 

O  Jesu,  looke  on  mee  ! 
O  Christ,  my  kinge,  refuse  me  not, 

though  late  I  come  to  thee  ! 


I  come  to  thee,  confounded  quyte, 
with  sorrowe  and  with  shame, 

When  I  beheld  thy  bitter  woundes, 
and  knew  I  did  the  same. 


[3] 

I  am  the  wretch  that  Crowned  thee, 
I  made  those  woundes  soe  wyde  ; 

I  nailed  thee  vnto  the  crosse, 
with  speare  I  pearst  thy  syde. 


W 

Thy  sydes,  thy  bellie,  eike,  I  rent 
with  whip  and  cruell  rod  ; 

114 


O  BLESSED  GOD,  O  SAVIOUR  SWEET 

'Twas  I  that  wrought  thee  all  that  wooe — 
forgiue  me,  my  good  lord  ! 

[5]      t    ; 

For  onelie  pryd  of  Cherubines 

how  manie  thousandes  fell 
From  pleasure  to  perpetuall  paine, 

From  heauen  to  hatefull  hell. 


[6] 
More  then  a  thousand  thousand  times 

haue  I  deseru'd  thine  Ire  ; 
Yet  doe  I  (myser)  still  remaine, 

and  feele  not  yet  hell-fire. 

[7] 

Yet  doe  I  still  thy  favour  finde, 

yet  thou  doest  keepe  me  still 
Against  the  foarce  of  all  my  foes, 

that  seeke  my  soule  to  spill. 

[8] 
Yea,  more  then  this,  that  I  might  Hue 

thou  diedst  on  the  roode  ; 
And  to  redeeme  my  soule  from  hell, 

thou  speandst  thy  deerest  blood. 

[9] 

That  pretious  blood  which  from  thy  syde 

came  gushinge  out  amayne 
Was  spent  to  saue  my  sinfull  soule 

from  endlesse  wooe  and  paine. 

[4]  4  lord  :   read  God .  [7]  2  doest :  i.e.  dost. 

[8]  4  speandst :  i.e.  spent. 

"5 


O  BLESSED  GOD,  O  SAVIOUR  SWEET 

[10] 
Alas,  my  lord  most  mercifull, 

what  haue  I  donne  or  wrought, 
That  thou  shouldst  like  soe  well  of  mee  ? 

What  haue  I  said  or  thought  ? 


What  didst  thou  see  in  mee  (vile  wretch  !) 

O  god,  what  didst  thou  see  ? 
What  mooued  thee,  o  Judge  most  iust, 

to  take  such  ruth  on  mee  ? 


O  come,  Angelles  ;  come,  Archangelles  ; 

come,  saintes  and  soules  divine  ; 
Come,  marters  and  Confessors  eike, 

your  aide  to  mee  assigne. 

[13] 

Let  mee  your  helpe,  your  councell  giue, 

O  tell  me  how  I  may 
Releeue  my  lord  that  loues  me  soe, 

which  am  but  dust  and  clay. 


All  worldlie  honour  now  farewell, 

all  wicked  welth  adew  ; 
Pryde  and  vaine-glorie,  packe  you  hence,, 

too  longe  I  served  you  ! 

[15]  _ 

In  you  I  dream'd  my  ioy  had  beene, 
but  I  deceiued  was, 

[13]  i  Let:  read  Lend. 

116 


O  BLESSED  GOD,  O  SAVIOUR  SWEET 

And  now  broade-wakeinge  I  doe  see 
that  it  hanges  on  the  Crosse. 


Vpon  the  Crosse,  betweene  two  theues, 

starke  dead,  alacke,  hee  hanges. 
For  me,  the  Child  of  endlesse  Death, 

hee  felt  these  bitter  panges. 

[17] 

O  that  it  once  were  my  good  chance 
to  kisse  those  woundes  soe  wyde, 

O  that  my  hart  had  once  the  happe 
to  harbour  in  his  syde  ! 

I  _          [18] 

O  that  I  might  with  Magdalenne 

Imbrace  his  fastened  feete, 
Or  that  with  good  thefe  hange  by  him, 

a  thinge  for  me  more  meete. 

I  [I9]. 

Then  would  I  bouldlie  dare  to  say 

that  neither  racke  nor  Coard 
Nor  any  tormentes  in  the  world 

debarre  me  from  my  lord. 

I  [20] 

Then  machavell,  with  all  his  sleights, 
should  not  once  make  me  mone  ; 

Noe  Turke  nor  Tyrant,  noe,  nor  divell 
should  make  me  leaue  my  lord. 

[15]  4  Crosse  :  no  rhyme  here.          [18]  3  thefe  :  perhaps  read  thieves. 
[20]  i  machavell  :  i.e.  Machiavelli  ;  4  lord  :  no  rhyme  here. 

117 


O  BLESSED  GOD,  O  SAVIOUR  SWEET 

[21] 

Grant  blessed  god,  grant  saviour  sweete, 

grant  Jesu,  kinge  of  blisse, 
That  in  thy  loue  I  Hue  and  dye, 

sweet  Jesu,  grant  me  this ! 

iPintg, 


118 


Behold  our  Saviour  crucifed 

Addit.  MS.  15,225,  fols.  2O-22V.  A  splendid  ballad  in  which  a 
Catholic  author  vigorously  applies  the  lessons  taught  to  man  both  by  the 
Crucifixion  and  by  its  permanent  symbol,  the  crucifix.  No  doubt  because 
he  was  addressing  a  strictly  orthodox  audience,  he  makes  no  apologies 
and  indulges  in  no  recriminations. 

.M 

Behould  our  saviour  crucifide, 

and  beare  it  well  in  mynd  ; 
Which  will  suppresse  all  sinfull  pryde, 

and  make  vs  groe  more  kynd. 
O  let  vs  striue  to  flee  from  sinne 

and  righteous  courses  hould, 
And  take  our  crosse  and  followe  hime, 

as  he  hath  said  we  should. 

I  [2] 

The  Crucifix  as  lecture  cheefe, 

let  vs  not  faile  to  learne  ; 
And  with  the  eise  of  true  beleefe 

devoutlie  it  disserne, 
How  for  our  sinne  and  for  our  sake 

a  prickeinge  crowne  of  thorne, 
Which  manie  a  bloodie  hole  did  make, 

his  blessed  head  hath  borne. 

I  .   [3]. 

And  for  our  sinne  with  scourges  keene 
his  tender  flesh  was  rent ; 

[2]  3  eise  :  I.e.  eyes.  Lines  3  and  4  of  this  stanza  were  at  first 
omitted  by  the  copyist,  and  were  later  inserted  in  the  margin. 

119 


BEHOLD  OUR  SAVIOUR  CRUCIFIED 

And  for  our  sinne  of  Jewes  hath  beene 

with  manie  a  scorne  content ; 
And  for  our  sinne  condemn'd  was  he, 

that  once  must  be  our  Judge  ; 
And  for  our  sinne  to  Caluarie 

with  his  owne  Crosse  did  trudge  ; 

w 

And  for  our  sinne  he  was  contente 

in  tormentes  there  to  dye, 
His  father's  Justice  to  prevente, 

for  sinne  to  satisfie. 
Hi3  Crowne  of  thornes  may  plucke  away 

our  vndeserved  pryde, 
His  mournfull  teares  will  cause  vs  lay 

all  wanton  mirth  asyde. 

[5] 

In  his  great  thirst  the  bitter  gaule 

to  drinke  they  doe  him  giue, 
A  doccument  vnto  vs  all 

in  temperance  for  to  Hue. 
His  armes  out  stretched  to  imbrace 

all  men,  both  frende  and  foe, 
May  teache  vs  still  to  call  for  grace, 

all  malice  to  forgpe. 

[6] 
Handes,  feete,  and  syde  with  nayles  and  launa 

through  pearced  on  the  roode, 
May  teache  vs  true  perseueraunce 

to  the  sheedeinge  of  our  bloode. 
His  Virgin's  flesh  all  full  of  woundes, 

both  blacke  and  blewe  to  see, 
All  fleshlie  lust  in  vs  confoundes, 

teachinge  true  Chastitie. 

120 


BEHOLD  OUR  SAVIOUR  CRUCIFIED 

[7] 

His  prayinge  for  his  enemies 

a-midste  his  bitter  payne, 
Doth  teache  vs  in  all  iniuries 

in  meekenesse  to  remaine. 
Veiwe,  and  reveiwe,  and  never  cease 

these  lessones  for  to  feade 
If  thou  in  virtue  will  increase, 

and  prosperously  proceede. 

[8] 
Thinke  whoe  it  is  that  suffered  all 

these  bitter  paynes  for  thee  ; 
Our  god  and  lord,  the  Virgin's  Childe, 

in  his  humanitie, 
Whose  power  and  potent  maiestie 

filles  heaven,  earth,  and  hell ; 
Yet  suffered  he  all  this  for  thee, 

and  more  then  tounge  can  tell. 

[9] 

For  thee  vnkynd  and  base,  abiecte, 

he  suffered  all  this  payne  ; 
Yet  thou,  poore  wretch,  doth  still  neclect 

thyne  owne  eternall  gayne. 
O  man  vnkynd,  behould  his  loue, 

behould  his  bitter  smart, 
And  let  his  paynes  and  passions  mooue 

compassions  from  thy  hart. 

[10] 

Since  Christ  from  sinne  vs  to  release 

hath  suffered  all  this  payne, 
Why  doe  we  not  from  sinne  then  cease, 

but  still  in  sinne  remaine  ? 

121 


BEHOLD  OUR  SAVIOUR  CRUCIFIED 

Let  vs  hate  sinne  with  all  our  hartes 
that  wrought  our  lord  this  woe  ; 

True  Christianes  all,  it  is  our  partes 
in  earnest  to  doe  soe. 


O  man  vnkynd,  forgetfull  in 

thy  loue  and  sirvice  due, 
And  hast  thou  still  such  mynd  to  sinne, 

and  yet  this  mirror  vewe  ? 
In  thy  temptations  doe  not  say 

thou  hast  noe  power  to  stand, 
For  Christ  his  grace  shall  be  thy  stay, 

sent  from  his  mightie  hand. 

[12] 

The  well  of  grace  standes  open  wyde, 

and  bounteously  doth  springe, 
Since  Lungeus  speare  first  pearst  his  syde, 

that  fountaine  foarth  to  bringe  ; 
Within  the  holie  Sacramentes 

throughe  Crist  his  Church  doth  flowe, 
Whereby  to  verteous  complementes 

eache  Christian  soule  may  growe. 

[13] 

The  Crucifix  is  now  our  owne, 

behould  it  well  therefore  ; 
In  brason  sarpent  once  fore  showne 

to  heale  each  deadlie  sore. 
His  Crosse,  his  Nailes,  his  crowne  of  thorne, 

his  speare,  his  spunge,  his  reede, 
His  bitter  gaule  and  bodie  torne, 

his  lanced  woundes  that  bleede, 

[12]  3  Lungeus  :  i.e.  lungeous  =  violent,  spiteful. 
[13]  3  Numbers  xxi.,  8,  9. 

122 


BEHOLD  OUR  SAVIOUR  CRUCIFIED 

[Hi  ' 

His  streatched  armes  vpon  the  crosse, 

and  all  admonish  thee, 
In  tyme  he  will  repaire  thy  losse, 

if  thou  repentante  bee. 
If  in  this  tyme,.throughe  worldlie  pelfe, 

thou  lose  this  libertie, 
In  time  to  come  accuse  thy  selfe, 

fore-warned  thus  to  bee. 

[is] 

In  all  affares  yet  rightlie  scanne, 

and  beare  it  well  away, 
What  to  the  soule  of  sinfull  man 

the  Crucifix  doth  say  : 
"  For  thee,  from  heavenlie  maiestie 

I  did  my  selfe  Imbase  ; 
As  Erringe  shippe,  I  haue  sought  thee 

in  manie  a  wearie  place  ; 

[16] 

"  I  thee  pursude  with  hartes  desire, 

I  ranne  with  faintinge  breath  ; 
Wilt  thou  vnkinde  from  me  retyre, 

and  frustrate  soe  my  death  ? 
My  enemies  they  did  not  payne 

my  bodie  halfe  so  sore, 
As  thy  vnkyndnesse  doth  constraine 

my  sorrowes  tennes  more. 

[17] 

"  Shall  satanus,  my  deadlie  foe, 
my  labors  all  defeate, 

[15]  i  affares  :  i.e.  affairs  ;  7  shippe  :  perhaps  sheep. 
[16]  8  tennes  :  possibly  temes  or  tonnes  or  ten  times. 

123 


BEHOLD  OUR  SAVIOUR  CRUCIFIED 

And  with  that  pearle  away  to  goe 
I  sought  with  bloodie  sweate  ? 

O  that  thy  soule  I  loue  soe  much, 
and  was  soe  deare  to  mee, 

Should  in  thy  handes,  I  say,  of  such 
a  carelesse  keeper  bee ! 


[18] 

"  How  deepe  a  danger  was  thou  in, 

inwrapt  through  Adam's  fale, 
Whome  none  but  I  could  freedome  winne, 

and  my  hartes  blood  recalle  ; 
Which  like  the  Pelicanne  I  giue, 

even  everie  droppe  for  thee, 
That  thou  the  foode  of  life  might  haue, 

a[nd]  soe  regayned  bee. 

[19] 

"  How  deare  a  Gemme  thy  soule,  I  thought, 
then  vmbethinke  the[e]  well, — 

Which  with  soe  deare  a  pryce  I  bought 
from  Satkan,  death,  and  hell. 

[17]  7  thy  :  read  the. 
[18]   5   Pelicanne  :  cf.  "The  Waterman's  Delight,"  Bagford  Ballad;, 
I.,  259:— 

"My  loves  she's  like  a  Pellican,/that  sucks  blood  from  her  breast, 
And  feeds  her  young  ones  every  day/as  they  lye  in  her  nest." 

There  seems  to  be  no  foundation  for  this  ancient  belief:  cf.  Proceedings 
of  the  Zoological  Society,  1869,  p.  146.  In  William  Hunnis's  Seven  Sobs, 
1583,  p.  6 1,  there  is  a  peculiar  passage  : 

"The  pellican  as  some  report,/hir  harmelesse  birds  doth  kill, 
And  three  daies  after  mourneth  shee,/and  is  vnquiet  still; 
Then  with  her  beake  hir  breast  she  plucks/till  blood  gush  out  amaine, 
Which  she  lets  drop  vpon  hir  young,/till  they  reuiue  againe." 

In  Hunnies  Recreations,  1595,  p.  49,  he  speaks  of  the  Pellican  restoring 
to  life  in  this  fashion  her  young  who  have  been  killed  by  a  serpent. 

124 


BEHOLD  OUR  SAVIOUR  CRUCIFIED 

Thou  maist  well  thinke  there  was  more  losse 
then  man's  tonge  can  expresse, 

Which  nailled  Christ  vnto  the  Crosse, 
this  danger  to  redresse. 


[20] 

"  And  wilt  thou,  then,  in  franticke  moode, 

soe  smale  the  same  esteeme, 
As  not  regarde  my  precious  bloode 

which  did  ihy  soule  redeeme  ? 
O  heaven,  O  earth,  astonisht  bee, 

and  stand  amazed  mute  : 
This  thanklesse  sinner  thus  to  see 

my  precious  blood  polute. 


[21] 

"  Though  mercie  now  doe  plead  ihy  case, 

expect inge  thee  a  whyle  ; 
Yet  Justice  once  must  needes  take  place, 

and  change  my  former  stile  ; 
Though  like  a  lambe  I  earst  haue  borne 

my  passions  all  for  thee, 
Yet  lyon-lyke  I  will  retorne 

and  once  revenged  bee  ; — 

[22] 

"  When  all  men's  bodies  must  aryse, 

both  from  the  sea  and  lande, 
And  at  that  day  in  dreadfull  wyse 

before  my  Judgment  stande  ; 
When  heaven  and  earth  shall  mooued  bee 

before  my  fearfull  Throne, 
Where  thou  in  endlesse  shame  shall  see 

thy  thankelesse  hart  made  know[n]e." 

125 


BEHOLD  OUR  SAVIOUR  CRUCIFIED 

[23] 
O  lord,  those  wordes  doe  me  agri[e]ue, 

and  thrilleth  throughe  my  hart ; 
And  on  my  knees,  in  humble  wyse, 

I  heere  to  thee  convert. 
Heere  cut,  o  lord,  and  turne  away, 

with  fier  of  tribulation, 
My  soules  defectes,  that  at  that  day 

I  may  'scape  thyne  Indignation. 

[L'ENVOY] 
And  soe  thy  bitter  passion  deere, 

which  thou  for  me  hast  taken, 
Let  vs  on  thy  right  hand  appeare, 

and  not  to  bee  forsakenne. 


126 


When  as  mankind  through  Adam's 

fall 

Addit.  MS.  i5,225,fols.  2jv-2gv.  In  several  places  holes  have  been 
eaten  in  the  leaves  by  inferior  ink. 

Protestant  ballads  on  the  cross  are  not  unusual.  One,  registered  in 
1  568-69  as  "  a  frutfull  songe  of  bearynge  of  Christes  Cross  "  is  preserved 
in  MS.  Ashmole  48  (ed.  Thomas  Wright,  Songs  and  Ballads,  Roxburghe 
Club,  No.  30)  ;  another,  "The  lamentacion  of  the  crosse,"  is  in  MS. 
Cotton  Vespasian  A.  XXV.  (ed.  Boeddeker,  Jahrbuch  fur  romanische  und 
englische  sprache,  N.F.,  III.,  95)  ;  earlier  than  these  is  a  long  ballad  in 
the  Gude  and  Godlie  Ballatis  of  1567  (ed.  A.  F.  Mitchell,  pp.  79-82) 
with  the  refrain 

And  gloir  in  the  Croce  of  Christ  Jesu. 

I  do  not  know  of  any  other  Elizabethan  or  Jacobean  ballad  written  by 
a  Catholic  in  glorification  of  the  cross  and  its  symbolism  in  the  Catholic 
faith.  The  author  gives  a  spirited  defence  (stanzas  14,  15)  against  con 
temporary  criticism  of  crucifixes.  He  was  evidently  a  man  of  learning, 
with  considerable  knowledge  of  the  works  of  the  Church  Fathers. 
Most  of  the  ballad  is  made  up  of  comments  on  the  crucifix  culled  from 
these  Latin  writers,  —  the  source  of  which  it  has  not  seemed  worth  while 
to  attempt  to  trace. 

a  gong  of  tl)t  cros0e. 

To  the  Tune  of  [none  given] 


When  as  mankind,-  through  AdanCs  fale, 

to  endlesse  greefe  was  led, 
God  promised  the  woman's  seede 

should  breake  the  serpentes  head  ; 

127 


WHEN  AS  MANKIND 

And  though  four  thousand  yeares  and  moe 

man  was  the  Chyld  of  death, 
God  sent  his  sonne  him  to  redeeme, 

for  soe  the  scripture  saith. 


Whoe  wrought  it  not  with  sacrifice 

of  Ca[l]fe,  younge  lambe,  or  kidde, 
But  by  his  death  vpon  the  crosse 

from  thrall  he  did  vs  ridde  ; 
Whose  benefittes  soe  great  we  may 

within  our  hartes  renewe, 
The  crosse  when  as  before  our  face 

we  daylie  see  and  vew. 


[3] 

This  crosse  was  plaine  prefigured 

in  Exodus,  we  knowe, 
By  wood  that  made  the  waters  sweete, 

as  St.  Sir  ill  doth  showe. 
To  call  the  crosse  the  tree  of  life 

damasine  doth  not  let, 
Which  in  the  middes  of  Paradice 

god  planted  and  it  set. 

w 

The  arke  of  Noe  man  for  to  saue, 
great  floodes  when  god  them  send, 

This  marke  Esekeall  speaketh  of 
his  people  to  defend. 

[i]  7  him  to  redeeme  :  MS.  substitutes  for  to  suffer  death. 
[3]  2  i.e.  Exodus  xvi.,  2554  Sirill  :  I.e.  Cyril  ;  6  damasine  ;  i.e.  St. 
Damasus  ;  6  let  :  i.e.  leave  undone. 

[4]    i  Noe  :  i.e.  Noah  ;  3  Esekeall  :  i.e.  Ezekiel  ix.,  4-7. 

128 


THROUGH  ADAM'S  FALL 

This  is  our  maister's  badge  that  we 

must  daylie  were  in  feild, 
The  speare  where-with  our  deadlie  foe 

wee  doe  enforce  to  yeald. 

[5]        -T 
Because  (St.  Austine  saith)  you  are 

beset  with  manie  a  foe, 
With  this  sine  of  the  crosse  still  blesse 

you  daylie  where  you  goe. 
St.  Hierome  willes  vs  with  this  signe 

our  foreheades  to  be  sign'd, 
Lest  he  that  Egipt  did  destroy 

in  vs  should  restinge  fynd. 

[6] 

Chrisosdome  biddes  vs  make  this  signe 

daylie  vpon  our  face, 
Whereby  thou  shall  the  wicked  sprites 

cleane  frome  thee  driue  and  chase  ; 
"  For  how  dare  they  him  set  vpon," 

saith  he,  "  in  rageinge  broyle, 
When  as  they  see  the  speare  where  with 

Christ  did  their  kingdome  foyle  ?  " 


This  is  the  marke  by  damasine, 

as  we  may  plainlie  learne, 
Panims  and  Jewes  from  Christian  men 

derecteth  to  disserne. 
"  I  doe  not  blush,"  St.  Austine  saith, 

"  this  holie  signe  to  weare, 
Nor  seeke  to  hyde  my  selfe  since  on 

my  forehead  I  it  beare." 

i4_]  6  were  :  i.e.  wear. 
6]  i  Chrisosdome  :  i.e.  Chrysostom.  [7]  i  by  :  read  that. 

I  129 


WHEN  AS  MANKIND 

[8] 

Cbrisosdome  alsoe  doth  vs  charge, 

and  warne  both  more  and  lesse, 
And  teach  our  Children  with  this  signe, 

them  daylie  for  to  blesse  ; 
Before  that  they  this  thinge  can  doe, 

the  nurse  their  head  must  take 
Vpon  the  Infantes  yonge,  saith  he, 

that  they  this  crosse  still  make. 

[9] 

This  Crosse  is  of  such  force  and  might, 

as  Origin?  doth  wryte, 
That  haueinge  Christ  and  crosse  in  sight 

to  sinne  non[e]  hath  delight  ; 
And  as  a  shippe,  St.  Ambrose  saith, 

without  mast  cannot  saile, 
Lykewise  whereas  the  crosse  doth  want 

that  Church  forthwith  shall  quaile. 

[10] 

Without  the  crosse  noe  sacrament 

can  ministred  right  be  due, 
St.  Austine,  if  we  credite  which, 

the  same  to  vs  doth  shew. 
Both  prince  and  subiect,  great  and  smale, 

the  crosse  did  on  them  weare  ; 
In  everie  place,  Chrisosdome  saith, 

this  signe  did  then  appeare. 


Did  not  god  shew  to  Constantino, 
for  ayde  when  he  did  call, 

[8]  3  And  :  read  To  ;  6  head  :  read  heed. 
[9]  2  Origine  :  I.e.  Origen. 

130 


THROUGH  ADAM'S  FALL 

The  crosse,  and  h[e]ard  a  voyce  that  said, 
"  in  this  signe  winne  you  shall  ?  " 

Wherefore  he  straitlie  gaue  in  charge 
eich  souldier  should  it  weare, 

And  on  his  standard  after  still 
in  feild  he  did  it  beare. 

[12] 

What  strength  it  hath  by  Julian 

and  power,  all  men  may  know, 
Whoe,  being  an  apostata, 

this  signe  droue  sperites  him  froe. 
When  Austen  came  England  for  to 

convert  vnto  the  faith, 
The  crosse  before  him  still  was  borne, 

as  holie  Bede  he  saith. 

I  .     [I3] 

Yet  some  will  say,  to  haue  the  crosse 

at  all  it  is  not  fitt, 
Because  there-with  Idolatrie 

the  people  doe  commit. 
Thinke  they  that  man  whome  god  hath  made 

heere  ruler  of  the  rest, 
In  sence  and  reason  nothinge  doth 

excell  the  brutishe  beast  ? 

I  [I4]        . 

What  hound  doth  hunt  at  painted  hare, 
with  coullers  wrought  full  new  ? 

Or  where  at  painted  partridge  yet 
ever  any  sparhauke  flew  ? 

If  they  diserne  the  quicke  from  dead, 
whom  sences  onelie  scoole, 

[12]  I  Julian  :  MS.  badly  damaged  by  action  of  ink  here  ;  3  apostata  : 
i.e.  Julian  the  Apostate,  Roman  Emperor,  331-63  ;  5  Austen  :  i.e.  St. 
Augustine  ;  8  Bede  :  i.e.  Ecclesiastical  History,  Bk.  I.,  chap.  25. 


WHEN  AS  MANKIND 

He  that  doth  Judge  farre  worse  of  man 
shall  proue  himselfe  a  foole. 

[15]        ;; 

Lyke  cryme  to  Athanatius  once 

the  heathen  did  obiect, 
Whoe  did  their  errores  confounde  in  this, 

and  did  plainlie  them  detect. 
You  say  our  godes  are  made  of  wood, 

which  thinge  you  cannot  prooue, 
And  that  yours  ours  doe  farre  excell 

in  starrie  skyes  that  mooue. 

[i6J  . 

Our  Crosse  consistes  of  peeces  foure, 

in  sunder  if  wee  it  take  ; 
And  from  eich  other  seperate 

noe  count  thereof  we  make  ; 
But  made  in  cosse  we  honour  it, 

although  not  with  devine, 
Whereby  you  see  wee  doe  not  weigh 

the  substance  bvt  the  signe. 


Which  signe  it  selfe  hath  not  such  health 

vnto  mankynd  heere  brought, 
But  by  the  sheedeinge  of  his  blood, 

which  all  thereon  hath  wrought  ; 
And  when  all  flesh  shall  ryse  againe, 

at  the  last  dreadfull  day, 

[15]  i  Athanatius:  i.e.  St.  Athanasius,  293-373.  "  Athanasius  his; 
Creed,  Quodcumque  vult  "  found  a  place,  with  musical  score,  in 
William  Hunnis's  Handful!  of  Honeysuckles,  1583,  pp.  16  ff. 

[16]    I,   2   MS.  damaged  by  ink,  though  decipherable;  5  cosse  = 
exchange,  barter. 

132 


THROUGH  ADAM'S  FALL 

This  holie  signe  will  then  appeare, 
As  Ephraim  doth  say. 

[18]  ' 
A  Joy  to  those  that  faithfull  heere 

at  everie  time  are  tryde, 
A  torment  to  all  such  as  leavue 

heere  Christ  his  crosse  denyde. 
God  grant  heerein  we  may  reioyce, 

lyke  as  st.  Paule  doth  say, 
And  learne  to  beare  the  crosse  of  Christ 

vpon  vs  night  and  day. 


[17]  8  Ephraim 
[18]  3  leavue 


I  do  not  find  this  prophecy. 
read  have  ;  6  Paule  :  i.e.  in  Galatians  vi.,  12,  14. 


'33 


19     | 

In  days  of  yore  when  words  did 
pass  for  bands 

Addit.  MS.  15,225,  fols.  29V-3<DV.  The  numbers  of  stanzas  1-5  have 
been  cut  off  in  binding,  and  the  leaf  is  damaged  in  several  places,  though 
still  decipherable.  The  interest  of  this  ballad  as  a  contemporary  con 
demnation  of  Jacobean  Puritans  by  a  Catholic  poet  is  undeniable.  No 
other  ballad  of  this  nature  has  yet  come  to  light. 

5>eere  foUown)  a  songe  of  ttje  puritan. 


In  dayes  of  yore  when  wordes  did  passe  for  bandes, 
before  deceit  was  bread  or  fraud  was  seene, 

When  tounges  did  signe  and  seale  with  clappe  of  handes, 
before  the  purt  'gainst  Christians  tooke  their  spleene,  — 

The  maister  paid,  and  pleased  was  the  man, 
and  then  vnborne  was  anie  Puritane. 


In  those  good  daies  liued  hospitalitie  ; 

men  hoarded  not,  nor  did  they  hyde  their  pelfe  ; 
Then  liued  resident  kynd  Charitie, 

and  then  plaine  dealinge  bouldlie  show'd  himselfe  ; 
The  blacke  Jacke  vs'd, — noe  pewter  nor  noe  canne, — 

nor  men  neare  heard  of  anie  Puritanne. 

[i]  i  bandes  =  obligations  ;   2  bread  :  i.e.  bred. 
[2]  5  blacke  Jacke  =  a  leather  jar  for  beer,  etc. 

134 


WHEN  WORDS  DID  PASS  FOR  BANDS 

[3] 
But  now  of  late  they  all  are  growne  soe  holie, 

puer,  vnspotted,  alwayse  vpright  treadinge  ; 
Yet  vnto  practice  lewd  they  are  bent  wholelie, — • 

Lucifer's  lantorns  vnto  hellmouth  leadinge, — 
Puer  in  show,  an  vpright  holie  manne, 

corrupt  within,  and  cal'd  a  Puritanne. 

;         W    /; 

These  fellowes  haue  both  day  and  nightlie  meeteinge, 
where  Tinkers  comment,  most  of  gouldsmiths'  trade  ; 

And  there  the  sisters  take  their  brothers'  greeteinge, 
they  wreth  and  wrest  the  word  which  god  hath  made  ; 

They  make  new  lawes  accordinge  to  their  functionne 
against  the  ould  and  against  the  kinges  Iniunctionne. 


[s] 

Then  there  is  Racbell,  maude,  Doll,  Jane^  and  Grace, 
kate  starched  with  a  ruffe  halfe  an  inch  longe  ; 

And  mistris  mince-pepin  with  her  mumpinge  face, 
Peg  that  hates  musique,  yet  she  loues  prick  songe  ; 

And  prittie  malle  that  loues  the  place  soe  well, 
she  will  not  leaue  meetinge  till  her  bellie  swell. 

[6] 

When  these  haue  had  their  conference  a  space, 

and  they  growe  something  wearie  with  longe  sittinge, 

And  see  they  haue  a  good  convenient  place, 

with  each  thinge  necessarie  and  well  fittinge  ; — 

[4]  4  wreth  :  i.e.  writhe. 

[5]  2  On  the  introduction  of  starch  and  ruffs  (against  the  use  of  which 
ballad-writers  continually  inveighed)  see  Stow's  dnnals,  1615,  p.  869. 
Many  proclamations  restricting  the  making  and  use  of  starch  were  issued 
by  Queen  Elizabeth  ;  3  pepin  :  i.e.  pippin  ;  mumpinge  =  grimacing  ; 
4  musique  :  MS.  musiuqe  ;  6  she  will  :  read  she'll. 

135 


IN  DAYS  OF  YORE 

* 

Out  goes  the  light,  the  brethren  swere  they  loue  them, 
they  must  increase,  for  why,  the  spirit  mooues  them  I 

[7]  '"."" 

If  Puritans  plucke  downe  the  house  of  prayer, 
oppresse  the  crosse  whereon  our  sauior  dyde  ; 

If  puritans  preach  nothinge  but  dispaire, 
and  noe  good  recreation  can  abyde  ; 

And  if  they  thus  will  frame  a  new  religion, 
beleeue  me,  I  will  be  noe  puritanne  \ 

[8]  :          I 

But  if  in  Chambers  wiues  haue  nightlie  meeteinge, 
and  the[y]  be  free  the  time  their  husbandes  sleepe  ; 

And  if  the  spirit  mooue  to  seuerall  greeteinge, 
and  they  may  say  and  doe  what  eare  vnmeete  ; 

And  if  with  these  vile  sinnes  dispence  they  canne, 
Tie  change  my  note  and  be  a  Puritanne  \ 

JFim'0. 

[8]  4  what  eare  :  i.e.  whate'er. 


136 


2O 

Winter  cold  into  summer  hot 

Addit.  MS.  15,225,  fols.  33v-35«  Everything's  going  to  the  dogs, 
this  extremely  interesting  ballad  tells  us  ;  for  England  hangs  priests  as 
traitors,  jeers  at  and  scorns  the  doctrines  and  faith  of  the  Catholic 
Church,  and  substitutes  therefor  a  new  error  —  "a  bird  of  Calvin's 
brood  "  —  that  neither  demands  nor  expects  obedience  to  Government 
and  God  :  only  the  true  faith  can  help  and  can  preserve  England.  The 
mildness  of  tone  is  quite  remarkable  when  one  recalls  the  cruelties  heaped 
upon  Catholics  in  James  I.'s  reign  :  it  is  never  found  in  the  anti-Catholic 
ballads  of  the  Jacobean  writers.  In  connection  with  stanza  6,  it  may 
be  remarked  that  the  King  seems  to  have  attempted  to  put  a  stop  to  the 
"  killing,  dressing,  and  eating  Flesh  on  Fish  days  "  and  in  Lent,  issuing 
proclamations  dealing  with  this  on  November  14,  1619,  January  30, 
1621,  February  4,  1622,  January  30,  1623,  Decerriber  27,  1623,  and 
February  7,  1625. 


Winter  could  into  summer  hoate 

well  changed  now  may  bee  ; 
For  thinges  as  strange  doe  come  to  passe, 

as  wee  may  plainlie  see  : 
England,  priestes  which  honour  'd  hath 

soe  manie  hundred  yeares, 
Doth  hange  them  vp  as  Traytors  now, 

which  causeth  manie  teares. 


[a] 

She  doeth  condemne  her  elders  all, 

as  all  the  world  besyde,  — 
Religion  ould,  which  long  hath  beene 

in  landes  both  farre  and  wyde. 

[2]  I  doeth  :  i.e.  doth. 

137 


WINTER  COLD  INTO  SUMMER  HOT 

A  gospell  new  she  hath  found  out, 

a  bird  of  Caluin's  broode, 
Abandoninge  all  memorie 

of  Christ  his  holie  roode. 


[3] 

Abstinence  is  Papistrie, 

as  this  new  error  saith  ; 
Fastinge,  praier,  and  all  good  workes 

avoyde  ;  for  onelie  faith 
Doth  bringe  vs  all  to  heauen  straight, — 

a  doctrine  verie  strange, 
Which  causeth  men  at  libertie 

of  vice  and  sinne  to  range. 

[4] 

From  Angelles,  honour  taken  is ; 

from  saintes,  all  worshippe  dewe  ; 
The  mother  of  our  liuinge  god 

(a  thing  most  strang  yet  true) 
Compared  is  by  manie  a  Jacke 

vnto  a  safron  bagge, 
To  a  thinge  of  nought,  to  a  paltrie  patch, 

and  to  our  vicar's  hagge  ! 

[S3 

Vnitie  is  cleane  exilde  ; 

for  preachers  doe  agree, 
As  doe  our  clockes  when  they  strike  noone — 

now  one,  now  two,  now  three  ; 
But  all  together  never  Jumpe — 

when  as  our  elders  all 


[5]  3  This  figure  foreshadows  Pope's  famous  simile  : — 

lents 
each 

138 


'Tis  with  our  Judgments  as  our  watches,  none 
Goes  just  alike,  yet  each  believes  his  own." 


WINTER  COLD  INTO  SUMMER  HOT 

Of  faith  and  doctrine  did  accorde 
in  poyntes  both  great  and  smale. 


Noe  restitution  they  teache  — 

pill,  robbe,  pole,  rape,  and  steale. 
Thine  ownlie  faith  cleane  freeth  all, 

amendes  doth  nought  prevaile. 
Noe  vow  obseru'd,  noe  promise  kept, 

flesh  fry  dales  now  afoarde  ; 
Which  of  our  elders,  as  great  sinne 

and  vice,  was  much  abhorde. 

I         .  .[7] 

Fastinge  did  enrich  the  Relme, 

feastinge  the  same  distroyes  ; 
Single  life  helpt  poore  men's  needes, 

wiufde  life  church  weale  annoyes  ; 
Raysinge  of  rentes  pi[c]kes  poore  men's  purse  ; 

divorcem[en]tes  doe  devyde 
The  husband  from  his  wedded  wife, 

whom  god  him  selfe  hath  tyde. 

I  [8] 

Obedience  to  magistrates 

this  gospell  nought  esteemes  ; 
For  that  their  lawes  in  conscience 

to  bind  it  noe  way  deemes. 
Concupiscence  is  counted  sinne 

which  non[e]  at  all  can  shunne  ; 
Therefore  in  vaine  they  doe  resist, 

for  neede  int'  vice  they  runne. 

[6]  2  This  line  uses  five  words  to  express  one  idea,  namely,  pilfering. 
'f.  Mercurius  Fumigosus,  November  1-8,  1654,  p.  199  :  "We  are  not 
ke  men,  That  Pi//,  Poll,  Rob  .  .  .  for  a  little  Earthly  Pelf" 

139 


WINTER  COLD  INTO  SUMMER  HOT 

[9] 
Contrition  a  trashe  is  cal'd, 

confession  scofte  and  scorn'd  ; 
And  soe  is  satisfaction, 

purgatorie  paines  forlorn'd  ; 
Which  causeth  feare  of  sinne  to  flee, 

where  sole  faith  doth  suffice 
To  amend  all  that  is  amisse,  — 

but  non[e]  thinkes  soe  that's  wise.  , 

[10] 

They  deeme  them  selues  predestinantes, 

yet  reprobates  indeede  ; 
Free  will  they  will  not  haue  ;  good  workes 

with  them  are  voyd  of  neede  ;  — 
Which  poyntes  of  doctrine  doe  destroy 

eich  common-wealth  and  land, 
Religion  ould  in  order  due 

makes  Kingdoms  longe  to  stand. 


Their  fruites  doe  prooue  their  gospell  false, 

their  Hues  most  lewd  are  seene  ; 
For  sinne  and  all  Iniquetie, 

the  like  hath  never  beene  ; 
Noe  feare  of  god,  noe  dread  of  manne, 

of  Prince,  nor  yet  of  lawes  ; 
Almes-deedes,  as  all  devotion, 

esteemed  are  as  strawes. 


Wherefore  I  hould  him  verie  wise 
which  doth  their  gospell  flee, 

And  cleaue  vnto  religion  ould, 
and  therein  Hue  and  dye, 

[9]  8  that's  :  MS.  thates. 
140 


WINTER  COLD  INTO  SUMMER  HOT 

As  all  his  elders  ever  did 

whoe  afraid  were  to  offend  ; 
Which  feare  god  grant  vs  all,  and  then 

our  daies  wee  well  shall  end. 

JFint's, 


141 


21 

Sweet  music  mourns  and  hath 
done  long 

Addit.  MS.  15,225,  fols.  35-36. 

This  interesting  ballad  was  written  by  a  lover  of  music  and  a  hater  of 
Puritans  shortly  after  the  accession  of  James  I.  (see  line  2),,in  the  hope 
that  James  would  relieve  the  "  poor  songmen."  The  Injunctions  of 
Queen  Elizabeth  referred  to  in  stanza  10  were  issued  to  Clergy  and 
Laity  in  the  first  year  of  her  reign  (1559),  expressly  provided  for  the 
continuance  and  maintenance  of  singing  in  the  Church,  and  forbade  any 
alteration  whatever  to  be  made  in  the  livings  "  appointed  for  the  main 
tenance  of  men  and  children,  to  use  singing  in  the  church."  Later  on, 
however,  the  Queen  gave  control  of  the  lands  intended  for  the  support 
of  singers  into  the  control  of  deans  and  chapters,  by  which  act,  said 
William  Chappell  (Popular  Music,  II.,  402),  "  she  did  more  injury  to  the 
cause  she  desired  to  advocate  than  all  puritanism  could  effect."  Elizabeth's 
love  for  music  and  her  own  remarkable  skill  as  a  musician  are  matters  of 
general  knowledge.  Early  in  her  reign  she  issued  proclamations  providing 
for  an  increase  in  the  number  of  singing  men  and  children  at  Windsor 
Castle,  and  she  had  singing-boys  also  at  St.  Paul's,  Westminster  Abbey, 
and  the  Household  Chapel.  Yet  only  three  years  after  her  1559 
Injunctions  were  issued,  "six  articles,  tending  to  a  farther  reformation 
of  the  liturgy,  were  presented  to  the  lower  house  of  convocation,  the  ! 
last  whereof  was  that  the  use  of  organs  be  removed  from  churches  ; 
which,  after  great  debate,  were  so  near  being  carried,  that  the  rejection  ; 
of  them  was  owing  to  a  single  vote,  and  that,  too,  by  the  proxy  of  an 
absent  member"  (Hawkins's  History  of  Music,  1875,  H-»  543)- 

Misappropriation  of  the  funds  which  the  Queen  turned  over  to  the 
deans  and  chapters  grossly  increased  during  the  reign  of  James  I.  The 
conditions  described  in  the  ballad  are  not  exaggerated,  and  the  ballad 
furnishes  contemporary  evidence  and  comment  of  great  interest.  A  paper 
on  "The  Occasions  of  the  decay  of  Music  in  Cathedral  and  College 
Churches "  (preserved  in  a  British  Museum  MS.  and  quoted  in  Chappell's 
Popular  Music,  II.,  402)  informed  James  that,  in  spite  of  all  previous 
grants  and  the  late  Queen's  Injunctions,  the  funds  had  been  "  swallowed 
up  by  the  Deans  and  Canons,  because  they  are  the  only  body  of  that 
incorporation,  and  the  singing  men  are  but  inferior  members."  In  other 
words,  as  the  ballad  phrases  it,  the  "  velvet  beggars "  alone  were  profiting. 

142 


MUSIC  MOURNS  AND  HATH  DONE  LONG 

[t  complains  also  that  the  places  of  singing  men  are  bestowed  "  upon 
Tailors,  and  Shoemakers,  and  Tradesmen,"  that  "divers  of  the  said 
places  are  bestowed  upon  their  own  men,  the  most  of  which  can  only 
read  in  the  church,  and  serve  their  master  with  a  trencher  at  dinner,  to 
the  end  that  the  founder  may  pay  the  Dean's  or  the  Prebend's  man  his 
wages,  and  save  the  hire  of  a  servant  in  the  master's  purse  "  ;  that  deans 
and  canons  are  living  in  ease  and  wealth,  while  "  the  poor  singing  men 
do  live  like  miserable  beggars."  It  recommended  to  the  King  that  the 
statutes  of  every  foundation  be  examined,  and  "  if  the  said  lands  be  not 
employed  to  the  true  use  and  intention  of  the  founder,  as  the  members 
are  sworn  to  preserve  them,  the  aforesaid  oath  is  violated  and  broken,  and 
the  abuse  needeth  reformation."  So,  too,  does  the  ballad  appeal  to  James. 
Many  Elizabethan  ballads  attacking  and  defending  music  are  extant  : 
a  number  are  discussed  in  my  notes  on  MS.  Ashmole  48  in  Modern 
Language  Notes,  XXXIV.  (1919),  341.  It  will  be  observed  that  the 
ballad  proceeds  along  the  customary  lines  in  its  defence  of  music  :  such 
a  defence  was  always  felt  to  be  necessary.  Even  after  the  Restoration 
John  Forbes  thought  it  necessary  to  put  an  apology  in  the  preface  of 
his  Cantus  :  — 

See  how  much  the  Royall  Psalmist,  Holy  King  David  is  taken  up  in  singing 
Praises  to  his  Creator,  for  you  shall  seldom  meet  Him,  without  an  Instrument  in 
I  his  Hand,  and  a  Psalm  in  his  Mouth  :  having  Dedicated  Fifty-three  Holy  Meeten 
or  Psalms  to  his  Chief  Musician  leduthun,  to  compose  Mustek  to  them.  .   .   . 

Some  of  the  reasons  for  learning  singing  given  by  William  Byrd  in  1588 
(Psalmes,  Sonets,  and  Songs,  preface)  were  :  — 

[i]  It  is  a  Knowledge  easely  taught,  and  quickly  learned,  where  there  is  a 
good  Master,  and  an  apt  Scoller. 

2  The  exercise  of  singing  is  delightfull  to  Nature,  &  good  to  preserue  the 
health  of  Man. 

3  It  doth  strengthen  all  parts  of  the  brest,  &  doth  open  the  pipes. 

4  It  is  a  singuler  good  remedie  for  a  stutting  &  stamering  in  the  speech. 

8  The  better  the  voyce  is,  the  meeter  it  is  to  honour  and  serue  God  there-with  : 
and  the  voyce  of  man  is  chiefely  to  be  imployed  to  that  ende. 

a  songe  in  prai0e  of  mu0ique. 


Sweete  musique  mournes  and  hath  donne  long 
these  fortie  yeares  and  almost  fiue  — 

God  knowes  it  hath  the  greater  wronge 
by  puritanes  that  are  aliue, 

Whose  hautie,  proude,  disdainfull  myndes 

Much  fault  agaynst  poore  musique  findes. 
[Title]  musique  :  MS.  throughout  has  musiuqe. 


SWEET  MUSIC  MOURNS 


Yet  haue  they  nothinge  to  replye 

within  godes  bookes  that  they  canne  finde 

Against  sweete  musique's  harmonye, 

but  their  owne  proude,  disdainfull  myndes 

They  are  soe  holie,  fyne,  and  pure, 

Noe  melodie  they  canne  endure. 


They  doe  abhorre,  as  devilles  doe  all, 
the  pleasant  noyse  of  musique's  sounde, 

Although  kinge  David  and  st.  Paule 
did  much  commend  that  art  profound  ; 

Of  sence  thereof  they  haue  noe  smell, 

Noe  more  then  hath  the  develles  in  hell. 


w 

The  devilles  in  noe  wise  can  abyde 
the  pleasant  noyse  of  musiques  sent, 

As  in  the  booke  of  kinges  is  tryde 
by  david  and  his  Instrument : 

When  David  tooke  his  harpe  to  play, 

The  spirit  from  Said  vanisht  away. 

[5] 

But  marke  the  sequell  of  the  thinge, 
and  where- vpon  we  doe  relye, 

In  heaven  the  blessed  saintes  doe  singe 
before  the  Throne  continnually  : 

"  O  holie,  holie,  lord  god,"  they  say, 

"  Which  was,  and  is,  for  ever  and  aye  !  " 

[6] 

In  hell  there  is  the  contrarie, — 
cohtinuall  sorrow  without  release, 
[4]  3  kinges :  i.e.  I  Samuel  xvi.,  14-23  ;  xix.,  9. 

144 


AND  HATH  DONE  LONG 

Amongst  the  dampned  companie, 

where  is  weepinge,  wailinge,  and  gnashinge  teeth 
All  pleasant  noyse  they  doe  detest, 
And  soe  doth  euerie  hellish  beast. 


[73 

When  that  our  sauiour  Christ  was  borne      < 

in  Betkla[h~\em,  that  faire  Citie, 
To  saue  mankind  that  was  forlorne, 

the  Angelles  songe  continuallie. 
Thus  saintes  and  Angelles,  in  heven  aboue, 
And  godlie  men  doe  musique  loue. 

[8] 
Licurgus,  also,  you  may  reade, 

whoe  did  establishe  holsome  lawes, 
By  him  alsoe  it  was  decreede 

(as  manie  auntiente  wryters  knowes), 
He  gaue  commaund  to  euerie  man 
That  noble  art  to  learne  and  scanne. 

[9] 

In  Churches,  alsoe,  we  may  knowe, 

our  ancient  fathers  did  alowe 
The  vse  of  songe  cum  Organo 

(which  from  the  Church  is  taken  nowe), 
In  skilfull  partes  where  man  and  Child 
Did  praise  our  lord  with  voyces  myld. 

[10] 

The  Queene's  Iniunctions  did  allowe 
the  laudable  vse  of  songe  to  bee, 

[6]  5  noyse  :  i.e.  music.  .     [7]  4  songe:  i.e.  sung. 

[8]  i  Licurgus  :  i.e.  Lycurgus. 

[10]  i  Queene's:  MS.  substitutes  for  kings. 

K  145 


SWEET  MUSIC  MOURNS 

Eike  to  be  vsde  in  Churches  now, 

yet  shame  they  not  this  to  denye. 
Let  everie  man  Hue  by  his  arte, 
Denye  him  not  his  due  desert. 


Some  veluet  beggars,  lykewise,  they 

haue  begde  Church  landes  (poore  songmen's  right), 
And  in  their  plase  doe  beare  a  sway 

in  open  vew  to  all  men's  sight  : 
Poore  ragged  beggars  they  get  smal[l]e, 
For  velvet  beggars  beg  vp  all. 


. 

0  noble  kinge,  restore  againe 

Church  landes  and  liuinges  as  the[y]  were, 
Which  did  poore  songe  men  well  maintaine 

and  little  Children  in  the  Queere. 
Now  skilfull  songe  is  laid  asyde, 
Church  landes  maintaineth  nought  but  pryde. 

[13] 

1  say  noe  more,  god  speede  the  plowe  ! 

god  saue  kinge  James  from  treators'  bane  ! 
That  poore  men  may  haue  ioy  enoughe, 

god  make  him  carefull  for  their  gaine, 
And  eike  godes  glorie  to  advance, 
God  saue  his  grace  from  all  mischance  ! 


lo]  4  they  :  i.e.  the  Puritans. 

12]  i  kinge  :  i.e.  James  I.  ;  4  Queere  :  i.e.  choir. 


146 


22 

Calvary  mount  is  my  delight 

Addit.  MS.  15,225,  fols.  2v-3.     Written  in  stanzas  of  four  long  lines. 

This  fluent  and  most  remarkable  ballad  is  the  work  of  a  fervent 
Catholic,  probably  a  priest,  who  knew  only  too  well  the  tortures  meted 
out  to  Catholics  in  the  reign  of  James  I.  In  a  mood  of  religious  fervour 
and  exaltation  he  professes  an  eagerness  to  undergo  every  punishment  — 
even  hanging,  bowelling,  and  quartering  —  in  order  to  attain  the  joys 
of  Calvary  Mount.  Such  ballads  as  this,  passed  about  in  MS.  or  in 
print,  may  well  have  served  to  stimulate  the  courage  of  Catholic 
Englishmen. 


Caluarie  mount  is  my  delight, 

a  place  I  loue  so  well, 
Calvarie  mount,  O  that  I  might 

deserue  on  thee  to  dwell  ; 
O  that  I  might  a  pilgrime  goe, 

that  sacred  mount  to  see  ; 
O  that  I  might  some  seruice  doe, 

where  Christ  died  once  for  me  ! 


O  that  I  had  some  hole  to  hyde 

my  head,  on  thee  to  stay  ; 
To  vewe  the  place  where  Jesu  dyed 

to  wash  my  sinns  away. 
Lyke  wordes  then  would  I  vtter  there 

that  Peter  sometim[e]s  did  : 
"  Lord,  well  it  is  that  I  am  heare, 

let  me  still  heere  a-bide  !  " 

[2]  6  Peter  :  see  St.  Matthew  xvii.,  4. 


CALVARY  MOUNT  IS  MY  DELIGHT 

.      '     [3]  I 

Let  me  still  heere  abyde  and  be 

and  never  to  remooue  ; 
Heere  is  a  place  to  harbour  me, 

to  ponder  on  thy  loue  ; 
To  ponder,  lord,  vpon  thy  paines 

that  thou  for  me  hast  felt, 
To  wonder  at  the  firvent  loue, 

where  with  thy  hart  did  melt. 

w 

Loe  heere  I  see  thee  faintinge  goe 

with  Crosse  which  thou  hast  borne, 
Imbrude  with  blood  from  top  to  toe, 

lyke  one  that  were  forlorne  ; 
Like  one  forlorne,  alacke  for  greefe  ! 

with  torm[en]ts  over  runne, 
And  alle,  deare  lord,  to  seeke  releefe 

for  that  which  man  hath  done. 


_ 

With  vile  rebukes,  with  scourges  whipt, 

most  greeuous  to  behould, 
And  lapped  lyke  one  naked  stript, 

as  earst  he  had  fore-tould  ; 
His  handes  and  feete,  with  nailes  full  stronge^ 

were  fixed  to  the  roode  ; 
And  there  he  hounge  three  houers  longe, 

imbrude  with  sacred  blood  ; 

[6] 
With  sacred  blood  to  quench  men's  wrath 

to  god  for  man's  decay, 
And  with  a  pure  and  sacred  bath 

to  wash  man's  sinns  a-way. 

[5]  3  lapped  =  disguised,  appearing  ;  4  St.  Matthew  xx.,  17-19.. 

148 


CALVARY  MOUNT  IS  MY  DELIGHT 

Caluarie  mounte,  thus  would  I  muse 

if  I  migh[t]  come  to  thee, 
All  earthlie  thinges  I  would  refuse, 

might  there  my  dwelinge  bee. 


[7] 

Might  there  my  dwellinge  be,  noe  foarce 

nor  feare  should  me  remooue, 
To  meditate  with  great  remorse 

vpon  my  sauiour's  loue. 
Noe  herode  nor  herodiane 

should  cause  me  thence  to  flee  ; 
Noe  Polat,  Jew^  nor  soldier 

should  mooue  me  till  I  dye, 

[8] 

Nor  all  the  helpe  that  they  would  haue 

from  Caluin's  cu[r]sed  crue. 
There  would  I  make  my  tombe  and  graue, 

and  never  wish  for  new. 
Noe  pursiuant  I  would  esteeme, 

nor  craftie  catchpole  feare  ; 
Of  gaile  nor  gailer  nothinge  deeme, 

if  I  might  harboure  there. 


[9] 

• 

Noe  rope  nor  cruell  tortour  then 

should  cause  my  minde  to  faile  ; 
Nor  lewde  deuice  of  wicked  men 

should  cause  my  corage  quaile, 

[7]  5  herodiane  :  i.e.  Herodias ;  7  Polat  :  read  Pilate  ;  8  mooue  me  : 
MS.  substitutes  for  cause  me. 

[8]  2  crue  :  i.e.  crew  ;  5  pursuant  =  here  specifically  a  priest-hunter  ; 
dozens  of  such  pursuivants  were  employed  by  the  authorities. 

149 


CALVARY  MOUNT  IS  MY  DELIGHT 

On  racke  in  tower  let  me  be  lead, 
let  Joynts  at  large  be  stretched  ; 

Let  me  abyde  each  cruell  braid, 
till  blood  frome  vaines  be  fetched. 

[10] 

And  if  they  can  devise  worse  waies 

to  vtter  thinges  vntrue, 
Let  them  proceede  by  all  assaies 

to  frame  Inventions  newe  ; 
Let  all  distresse  to  me  befale 

to  doe  my  Countrie  good  ; 
And  let  the  thirst  of  Tyrantes  all 

be  quenched  in  my  blood. 

EH] 

Let  me  be  falslie  condemned  ; 

let  Sherife  on  me  take  charge  ; 
With  bo[w]es  and  billes  let  me  be  led, 

least  I  escape  at  large  ; 
Let  me  from  prison  passe  away 

on  hurdle  hard  to  lye, 
To  Tyburne  drawne  without  delay 

in  tormentes  there  to  dye. 

[12] 

Let  mee  be  hang'd  and  yet,  for  doubt 

least  I  be  dead  too  soone, 
Let  there  some  devillish  spirit  start  out 

in  hast  to  cut  me  downe  ; 
Let  bowells  be  burnt,  let  paunch  be  fryde 

in  fier  or  I  be  dead  ; 
O  London*bridg,  a  poule  provide, 

thereon  to  set  my  head. 

[9]  6  joynts :  MS.  originally  joyes. 

[n]  4,  [12]  2  least  :  i.e.  lest.  [12]  6  or  =  ere. 

150 


CALVARY  MOUNT  IS  MY  DELIGHT 

[13] 
O  London,  let  my  quarters  stand 

vpon  thy  gates  to  drye  ; 
And  let  them  beare  the  world  in  hand 

I  did  for  treason  dye  ; 
Let  cro[w]es  and  kytes  my  carkas  eate  ; 

let  ravens  their  portion  hau[e], 
Least  afterwardes  my  frendes  intreate 

to  lay  my  corpes  in  graue. 


Sweete  Jesu,  if  it  be  thy  will, 

vnto  my  plaintes  attend  : 
Grant  g[r]ace  I  may  continue  still 

thy  seruant  to  the  end  ; 
Grant,  blessed  lord,  grant,  sauiour  sweete, 

grant,  Jesu,  kinge  of  blisse, 
That  in  thy  loue  I  Hue  and  dye, 

sweete  Jesu,  grant  me  this. 

JFttttB* 

[14]  5-8  These  lines  form  the  last  stanza  of  No.  16. 


is1 


-   •  :'  I 

Amount,  my  soul,  from  earth 
awhile 

Addit.  MS.  15,225,  fols.  3V-6V.  Stanzas  53-55  are  written  in  two- 
line  stanzas  so  that  they  can  be  crowded  on  the  last  folio.  The  margins 
are  closely  trimmed. 

This  unique  ballad  is  a  remarkable  one.  No  man  knows  the  glory 
of  the  New  Jerusalem  save  he  who  actually  experiences  it,  says  our  ardent 
Catholic  poet  ;  yet  he  manages  to  give  a  concrete  and  detailed  account 
of  its  unparalleled  joys.  Into  these  joys,  however,  only  true  Catholics 
can  hope  to  enter  :  there  is  no  place  for  heretics  'or  for  those  potentates 
who  use  Tyburn  and  the  rack  in  an  attempt  to  root  out  the  true  faith. 
The  other  ballads  in  this  volume  describing  Heaven  are  only  slightly 
Catholic  in  tone,  and  were,  with  slight  and  judicious  excisions,  acceptable 
to  Protestants.  The  present  ballad  would  mortally  have  offended  them. 


Amounte,  my  soule,  from  earth  awhyle, 

sore  vp  with  wings  of  loue, 
To  see  where  S[ain]tes  and  Angelles  dwell 

with  god  in  blisse  aboue. 


Remember  thou  a  stranger  art, 
a  wanderinge  pilgrime  heere, 

A  pilgrime  heere  till  thou  depart 
to  S[ain]tes,  thy  fellowes,  there. 


. 

An  exile  poore,  in  earth  alone, 

among  professed  foes  — 
The  world,  the  devill,  the  flesh,  and  non[e] 

but  such  as  seeke  thy  woes. 

152 


AMOUNT,  MY  SOUL,  FROM  EARTH  AWHILE 

[  w 

O  spouse  of  Christ,  why  doest  thou  stay 

to  build  thy  house  on  sand  ? 
The  bridgrome  comes,  the  minstrill  playes, 

the  manage  is  at  hand. 


[5] 

A  weddinge  garment  thou  must  haue,  I  say 

(I  meane  a  vertuous  life), 
For  other  garmentes  are  not  gay 

for  such  a  prince's  wife. 

[6] 

Therefore,  renounce  this  eart[h]lie  pelfe 

a  heavenlie  race  to  runne, 
Forsake  the  world,  and  frame  thy  selfe 

to  Hue  as  S[ain]tes  haue  donne. 

[7] 

Passe  over  ayre  aizar  skye 

and  thinges  that  mortall  bee, 
Aboue  the  spheare  of  heaven  to  flye, 

if  thou  these  ioyes  would  see. 


A  Citie  there  renowned  is 

for  statlie  structure  rare, 
A  princlie  place,  adorn'd  with  blisse, 

for  costlie  buildinges  faire. 

[4]  i  doest  :   read  dost. 

[5]  l  garment  :  a  later  'insertion  in  the  MS.     Fcr  the  sake  of  the  rhythm 
omit  weddinge  in  this  line. 

[7]   i  ayre  aizar  :  i.e.  airy  azure. 

153 


AMOUNT,  MY  SOUL,  FROM  EARTH  AWHILE 


Hierusalem  the  place  is  cal'd, 

most  sumtuous  to  behould  ; 
The  place  with  precious  stones  is  wal'd, 

and  streetes  are  paued  with  gould. 

[10] 

The  gates  with  precious  pearles  are  framed, 

there  rubies  doe  abound  ; 
The  precious  pearles  that  can  be  namde 

are  there  in  pleantie  found. 


Amidst  the  streetes  the  well  of  life 
with  goulden  streame  doth  flowe  ; 

Vpon  whose  bankes  the  tree  of  life 
in  statelie  sort  doth  growe  ; 


Whos[e]  pleasant  fruites  of  euerie  kind, 

delightinge  mortall  eies, 
Hard  by  whose  roote  there  you  shall  find 

where  heauenlie  manna  lyes. 

[13] 

The  Citie  shines  with  endlesse  blisse 

and  glorie  passinge  bright, 
For  god  himselfe  the  Lantorne  is 

and  lampe  that  giueth  light. 

[14]  _ 

The  bodie  there  of  everie  one 

is  like  to  Cristale  fine, 
And  sho[w]es  as  bright  as  doth  the  sunne 

when  it  most  cleare  doth  shine. 

[9]  3  place  :  MS.  placle.         [10]  3  namde  :  MS.  substitutes  for  made 

154 


AMOUNT,  MY  SOUL,  FROM  EARTH  AWHILE 


There  thou  shalt  see  the  Gherubins 

in  glorious  state  excell, 
There  Angelles  and  the  Seraphins 

and  soules  of  saintes  doe  dwell. 

[16] 

There  Noe  and  all  the  iust  doe  dwell, 
there  doe  the  prophets  stand  ; 

The  Patriarkes  ould  there  doe  remaine 
with  Cepters  in  their  hand. 

[17] 

There  marters  and  apostles  Hue, 

there  sacred  virgins  stay  ; 
There  they  doe  waite,  there  they  doe  giue 

attendance  night  and  day. 

_  [18] 

Our  Ladie  there  most  heauenlie  singes, 

with  sweete  melodious  voyce  ; 
The  saintes  and  all  Celestiall  thinges 

for  ioy  of  her  reioyce. 


Good  Magdalene  hath  lefte  her  mone, 
her  sighs  and  sobes  doe  cease  ; 

And  since  her  teares  and  plaintes  are  gone, 
she  Hues  in  endlesse  peace. 


There  thousand  thousand  Angells  bee 

and  soules  in  glorie  braue  ; 
And  everie  one  doth  ioy  to  see 

the  ioy  their  fellowes  haue. 

[15]  2  excell  :  MS.  substitutes  for  to  be.  [16]  I  Noe  :  i.e.  Noah. 

[19]  2  sighs  :  MS.  sightes. 

155 


AMOUNT,  MY  SOUL,  FROM  EARTH  AWHILE 

[21] 

The  precious  pearle  the  marchant  sought, 

with  longe  and  restles  toyle, 
Is  here  to  vew  ;   the  ground  he  bought, 

in  this  most  happie  soyle. 

[22] 

Tenne  thousand  tounges  cannot  expound, 

nor  Angells'  skill  indite, 
The  passinge  pleasures  there  abounde, 

and  ioyes  that  doe  delight. 

[23] 

Heere  all  thy  faithfull  frendes  remaine, 

here  doe  thy  parentes  dwell, 
Here  thou  in  blisse  shall  meete  againe 

with  them  thou  louedst  soe  well. 

[24]  j 

There  all  thy  good  progenitors 

doe  watch  and  wish  for  thee, 
And  thousandes  of  thine  ancestors, 

which  thou  didest  never  see. 

[25] 

O  speachles  ioy  to  meete  our  frends 

and  louinge  kinsfolke  there  ; 
And  Hue  in  life  that  never  endes 

with  them  we  loued  soe  deare. 

[263 

Noe  blisse,  noe  pleasure  there  doth  want 

that  man  may  wish  to  haue  ; 
Noe  ioy  nor  braue  delight  [is]  scant, 

thou  canst  devise  to  craue. 
[21]  i  Cf,  St.  Matthew  xxii.,  45-46.  [24]  4  didest :  read  didst. 

156 


AMOUNT,  MY  SOUL,  FROM  EARTH  AWHILE 

[27] 
If  wealth  or  honour  thou  desyre, 

or  happie  dales  to  see, 
Here  nothinge  wantes  thou  wilt  require, 

for  thou  a  kinge  shalt  be. 


m 
Thy  cloathinge  shale  be  all  of  blisse, 

and  thou  a  Cepter  beare 
And  diademe,  that  better  is 

then  earthlie  princes  weare. 

[2?] 

If  thou  desyrest  daintie  cheere, 

or  rich  or  costlie  meate, 
The  bread  and  drinke  of  life  are  there, 

and  foode  that  Angells  eate. 

[30] 

In  aged  yeares  if  thou  request 
to  liue  with  faithfull  frendes, 

With  saintes  and  Angells  thou  shalt  rest 
in  life  that  never  endes. 

.        [3I]. 

If  learning,  skill,  or  wit  thou  would, 
in  booke  of  life  that's  there, 

Most  plainlie  there  thou  shalt  behould 
the  thinges  thou  knowest  not  heere. 

[32] 

Or  if  thou  would,  by  good  advice, 

the  will  of  god  goe  doe, 
Here  is  the  priest  and  sacrifice, 

the  Church  and  alter,  too. 

[31]  4  knowest  :  read  know'st. 

157 


AMOUNT,  MY  SOUL,  FROM  EARTH  AWHILE 

[33]  _  j 

Here  god  himselfe  doth  heare  our  plaintes 

and  pittieth  cristiane  cause  ; 
Here  all  his  frendes  and  holie  saintes 

be-hould  him  face  to  face. 

[34]    _  ] 

Here  euerie  word  and  godlie  thought, 

each  greife  and  great  annoy, 
And  euerie  worke  in  vertue  wrought 

rewarded  is  with  ioy. 

[35] 

The  widdowes  myte  here  [has]  rewarde, 

could  water  wantes  not  meede, 
For  god  respectes  and  hath  regard 

to  each  good  worke  and  deede. 

[36]  .     j 

Noe  eye  hath  scene,  nor  eare  hath  h[e]arde, 

noe  creatur  ever  found, 
Nothinge  on  earth  may  be  compar'd 

to  ioyes  that  there  abound. 

[37]  \ 

The  pleasures  thou  shalt  there  behould 

were  not  with  treasure  bought, 
For  gould  nor  pearles  nor  siluer  sould, 

or  thinges  that  nature  wrought. 

.  [38] 

Noe  value  worthie  was  to  buy 

the  ioyes  are  heere  to  see, 
Till  Christ,  the  sonne  of  god,  did  dye 

to  purchace  them  for  thee. 

[33]  2  cause  :  read  case. 

158 


IAMOUNT,  MY  SOUL,  FROM  EARTH  AWHILE 

[39] 
O  then  what  ioyes  shall  these  be  deemde, 

how  great  and  passing  good, 
Which  with  noe  price  would  be  redeemde, 

but  with  our  sauiour's  blood  ? 


O  blisfull  ioyes,  nothinge  there  was 
in  heauen  or  earth  belowe, 

But  Christ  alone  to  bring  to  passe 
that  man  such  ioyes  should  knowe. 

[41] 

St.  Paule  that  did  these  secretes  see 
could  not  their  pleasures  name  ; 

Their  glorie  noe  man  knowes  but  hee 
that  doth  enioy  the  same. 


Noe  neede  is  there,  noe  want  of  wealth, 

no  death  nor  deadlie  paine, 
Where  Christ,  the  cause  of  all  our  health 

and  heauenlie  life,  doth  raigne. 

[43] 

There  thou  shalt  rest  foarth  of  the  reach 

and  waies  of  wicked  men, 
Blasphemous  tounges  and  filthie  speac[h]e 

shall  not  annoy  thee  then. 

[44] 

Noe  threatinge  wordes  to  prison  vile 

shall  terrific  thy  mynd, 
But  Angeles  sweete  and  saintes  most  mild 

will  welcome  the[e]  most  kind. 

159 


AMOUNT,  MY  SOUL,  FROM  EARTH  AWHILE 

[45] 

For  noe  blasphemers  there  remaine, 

non[e]  that  in  blood  delight, 
Noe  vile  adulterer  there  doth  raigne, 

noe  lewde  nor  wicked  wight ; 


[46] 

Noe  rude  nor  raillinge  heretikes 
that  new  religions  make, 

Noe  temperisinge  scismatickes 
that  Christ  and  Church  for-sake 


[47] 

Noe  persecutinge  potentate 
doth  rule  and  gouerne  there  ; 

Noe  workmaister  or  pursivant 
hath  office  there  to  beare. 


[48] 

There  tiburne  nothinge  hath  to  doe, 
noe  rope  nor  racke  is  knowne  ; 

Tormenters  all  and  sathan,  too, 
are  fullie  over-throwne. 


[49] 

There  triumph  over  sinne  is  wonne, 
the  devill  and  death  devided, 

The  kingdome  of  the  iust  begunne, 
and  they  in  glorie  placed. 


[47]    l   potentate  substituted  in  MS.  for  protestant. 
significant — a  direct  slur  at  James  I. 
[49]  4  placed  :  no  rhyme  here. 

1 60 


The  change 


[AMOUNT,  MY  SOUL,  FROM  EARTH  AWHILE 

[so] 

Concupiscence  is  rooted  out, 

temptations  all  doe  cease, 
Noe  motions  of  the  flesh  dare  roote 

in  thy  triumphant  peace. 


[51] 

Nothinge  that  tastes  of  wickednesse, 
nothinge  defield  with  sinne, 

Doth  harbour  there  or  hath  accesse 
that  place  to  enter  in. 


For  it  was  made  for  purified  soules 

before  the  world  was  made, 
Where  they  possesse  both  crownes  and  states 

of  ioyes  that  never  fade. 


[S3] 

Then,  o  my  soule,  take  thou  thy  winges 

and  faith  of  hope  and  loue, 
And  soare  alofte  to  vew  the  thinges 

prepar'd  for  thee  aboue. 


[54] 

O  happie  day  when  thou  shalt  leaue 

this  flesh  those  ioyes  to  see  ! 
What  hart  can  thinke  and  once  conceiue 

the  ioyes  remaine  for  thee  ? 

[51]  2  defield:  U  defil'd. 
[5  3]  2  and  faith  :  read  of  faith. 

161 


AMOUNT,  MY  SOUL,  FROM  EARTH  AWHILE 

[55] 
O  mightie  god,  grant  one  request 

and  boone  that  I  shall  craue, 
O  lord,  my  sute  is  there  to  rest 

and  there  my  dwellinge  haue  ! 

JTfttC*, 


162 


Jerusalem,  my  happy  home 

Addit.  MS.  15,225,  fols.  36V-37V.  Reprinted  from  this  MS.  in 
The  Month,  September,  1871,  III.,  232  ff.,  with  no  reference  to  other 
versions,  in  John  Julian's  Dictionary  ofHymnotogy,  1907,  p.  580,  2nd  ed., 
p.  1656;  and  in  Eleanor  M.  Brougham's  anthology,  Com  from  Olde 
Fieldes,  1918,  pp.  19-24. 

Other  early  versions  of  this  not  unjustly  celebrated  hymn  are  : — 

1 .  "  The  zealous  Querister's  songe  of  Torke,  in  the  prayse  of  heaven, 
to  all  faithfull  singers  and  godlye  readers  in  the  world.     To  the  Tune 
of  0  man  in  desperation"  80  lines,  in  the  Shirburn  Ballads,  pp.  1 70  fF. 
This  version  (5.)  differs  so  widely  in  order  of  stanzas,  in  omission  of 
certain  stanzas  found  in  the  MS.  and  in  the  introduction  of  additional 
stanzas,   and   in   phraseology   that   no  attempt  is   made  at   a  complete 
collation  here,  only  a  very  few  of  the  variations  being  noted. 

2.  "  Another  on  the  same  subiect  "  [i.e.  "  The  description  of  heauenly 
lerusalem"  :  cf.  the  following  ballad,  No.  25],  in  The  Song  of  Mary  The 
Mother  of  Christ,  1601,  pp.  38-41.    This  version  (^.)  consists  of  19  four- 
line  stanzas,  of  which  three  are  identical — i.e.  stanza  I  is  thrice  repeated, 
evidently  as  a  sort  of  refrain.     In  the  foot-notes,  where  elaborate  collations 
are  made  of  the  MS.  and  A.,  the  superiority  of  the  MS.  readings  (as  in 
stanza  8)  will  generally  be  obvious. 

3.  "The  true  description  of  the  everlasting  ioys  of  Heaven.     To  the 
Tune  of,  O  man  in  desperation"   152  lines,  a  black-letter  ballad  in  a 
Bodleian   collection    (4to   Rawlinson,   566,  fol.    167)  "printed  for  F. 
Coles,  T.  Vere,  and  J.  Wright."     This  ballad  was  registered  under  the 
title  of  its  first  line  on  December  14,  1624,  and  has  been  only  partially 
reprinted, — by  the  editor  of  the  Shirburn  Ballads  in  continuation  of  his 
incomplete  MS.  version.     It  is  an  apparently  unique  copy,  but  calls  for 
no  special  attention  here. 

4.  "  The  Queristers  song  of  yorke  in  praise  of  heaven,"  Addit.  MS. 
38,599,  fols.  1 33v-i  34V.     A  line  of  music,  preceded  by  the  words  "  this 
is  the  tune,"  follows  the  title.     This  version  (F.)  consists  of  19  eight- 
line  stanzas.     It  is  a  contemporary  copy  of  the  ballad  that  was  registered 
for  publication  in  1624,  and  is  practically  identical  with  the  Shirburn 
and  Rawlinson  copies.     "The  Seconde  parte"  begins  with  stanza  13, 
at  the  point  where  5.  breaks  off. 

163 


JERUSALEM,  MY  HAPPY  HOME 

I  can  throw  no  light  on  the  initials  F.  B.  P.,  though  the  F.  may  be 
an  abbreviation  for  "  Father  "  or  the  P.  for  "  Priest."  Various  identifi 
cations  of  these  initials  are  proposed  in  Julian's  Dictionary  ;  while 
Gillow  (Catholic  Record  Society's  Publications,  XVI.,  421)  thinks  that 
the  initials  should  be  "  J.  B.  P.,"  that  is,  "  John  Brereley,  Priest,"  an 
alias  of  Laurence  Anderton,  S.J.  (1575-1643).  The  tune  of  Diana 
\and  her  darlings  dear\  is  evidently  equivalent  to  O  man  In  desperation, 
but  neither  of  these  tunes  was  found  by  William  Chappell  (cf.  Popular 
Music,  II.,  770).  The  ballad  is,  it  hardly  need  be  said,  a  distinctly 
Catholic  production,  and  in  the  printed  copy  lines  93-98  (stanza  23)  were 
omitted.  For  Jerusalem  ballads  in  general,  consult  Philipp  Wackernagel's 
Das  deutsche  Kmhenlied,  passim.  A  comparison  should  also  be  made 
between  this  ballad  and  the  three  other  similar  ballads  printed  in  this 
volume. 


a  0ong  ma&[e] 

To  the  Tune  of  Diana. 


. 

Hierusalem,  my  happie  home, 

when  shall  I  come  to  thee  ? 
When  shall  my  sorrowes  haue  an  end  ? 

thy  ioyes  when  shall  I  see  ? 

[2]  _ 

O  happie  harbour  of  the  saintes, 

O  sweete  and  pleasant  soyle, 
In  thee  noe  sorrow  may  be  founde, 

noe  greefe,  noe  care,  noe  toyle. 

[3] 

In  thee  noe  sickenesse  may  be  seene, 
noe  hurt,  noe  ache,  noe  sore  : 

There  is  noe  death  nor  vglie  devill, 
there  is  life  for  euermore. 

[2]  I  harbour  :  Citty  (4.)  ;  4  stanza  3  is  not  in  the  Shirburn  co 
Stanza  4  precedes  stanza  3  in  A. 

[3]  i  seene  :  found  (A.)  ;   3  In  thee  there  is  no  dread  of  death 
4  there  is  :  there's  (A.). 

164 


JERUSALEM,  MY  HAPPY  HOME 

W 

Noe  dampishe  mist  is  scene  in  thee, 
noe  could  nor  darksome  night ; 

There  everie  soule  shines  as  the  sunne, 
there  god  himselfe  giues  light. 


[si 

There  lust  and  lukar  cannot  dwell, 
there  envie  beares  noe  sway  ; 

There  is  noe  hunger,  heate,  nor  coulde, 
but  pleasure  everie  way. 


Hierusalem,  Hierusalem, 
god  grant  I  once  may  see 

Thy  endlesse  ioyes,  and  of  the  same 
partaker  aye  to  bee. 


[7] 

Thy  wales  are  made  of  precious  stones ; 

thy  bulwarkes,  diamondes  square  ; 
Thy  gates  are  of  right  Orient  pearle, 

exceedinge  riche  and  rare. 

[4]  I  There  is  no  dampe  nor  foggy  mist  (4.)  ;   3  soule  :  Saint 
[5]  I  Stanza  5  is  not  in  A.     It  has  instead  : — 

There  is  no  raine,  no  sleete,  no  snow, 

no  filth  may  there  be  found : 
There  is  no  sorrow,  nor  no  care, 

all  ioy  doth  there  abound, 


and  then  repeats  stanza  i. 

A. 

with  g 
glorious 

165 


[6]  I  Stanza  6  is  not  in  A. 

[7]  2  thy  streetes  paued  with  golde  (^4.)  ;   3  are  ...  Orient  :  are  eke 
of  precious  (A.)  ;  4  most  glorious  to  beholde  (A.). 


JERUSALEM,  MY  HAPPY  HOME 

[8] 

Thy  terrettes  and  thy  Pinacles 

with  Carbuncles  doe  shine  ; 
Thy  verie  streetes  are  paued  with  gould, 

surpassinge  cleare  and  fine. 

[9] 

Thy  houses  are  of  Ivorie, 
thy  windoes  Cristale  cleare  ; 

Thy  tyles  are  mad[e]  of  beaten  gould,  — 
O  god,  that  I  were  there  ! 

[10] 

Within  thy  gates  nothinge  doeth  come 

that  is  not  passinge  cleane  ; 
Noe  spider's  web,  noe  durt,  noe  dust, 

noe  filthe  may  there  be  seene. 


Ay  my  sweet  e  home,  hierusaleme, 

would  god  I  were  in  thee  ; 
Would  god  my  woes  were  at  an  end, 

thy  ioyes  that  I  might  see  ! 

[12] 

Thy  saintes  are  crown'd  with  glorie  great, 

they  see  god  face  to  face  ; 
They  triumph  still,  they  still  reioyce, 

most  happie  is  their  case. 

[8]  i  Thy  Pinacles  and  Carbuncles  (^4.)  ;  2  Carbuncles  :  Diamondes 

.)  ;  3,  4  Thy  houses  couered  are  with  golde,/most  perfect,  pure  and 
fine  (A.). 

[9]  I  Stanzas  9-14  are  not  in  A.  ;  3  And  tyles  of  burnish  t  bright  red 
gould  (5.). 

[10]  2  passinge  cleane  :  verye  cleere  (5.)  ;  3  noe  durt  .  .  .  dust  :  nor 
filthy  thinge  (5).  ;  4  in  thee  may  once  appeare  (5.). 

[i  i]  1-4  not  in  5.  [12]  4  Sbirburn  version  ends  here. 

1  66 


JERUSALEM,  MY  HAPPY  HOME 

[13] 

Wee  that  are  heere  in  banishment 

continuallie  doe  mourne  ; 
We  sighe  and  sobbe,  we  weepe  and  weale, 

perpetually  we  groane. 
/ 

[Hi 

Our  sweete  is  mixt  with  bitter  gaule, 
our  pleasure  is  but  paine,  . 

Our  ioyes  scarce  last  the  lookeing  on, 
our  sorrowes  still  remaine  ; 


But  there  they  liue  in  such  delight, 

such  pleasure,  and  such  play, 
As  that  to  them  a  thousand  yeares 

doth  seeme  as  yeaster-day. 

[16] 

Thy  Viniardes  and  thy  Orchardes  are 

most  beutifull  and  faire, 
Full  furnished  with  trees  and  fruites, 

most  wonderfull  and  rare. 

[17] 

Thy  gardens  and  thy  gallant  walkes 

continually  are  greene  ; 
There  gro[w]es  such  sweete  and  pleasant  flowers 

as  noe  where  eles  are  seene. 

[14]  4  Stanza  15  comes  next  to  the  last  stanza  in  A. 

[15]  3  That  thousand  thousand  yeares  agoe  (A.). 

[16]  1-4  not  in  A. 

[17]  3  such  :  the  (A.)  ;  4  as  ...  are  :  that  euer  erst  was  (A.). 

167- 


JERUSALEM,  MY  HAPPY  HOME 

[i  8] 

There  is  nector  and  Ambrosia  made, 
there  is  muske  and  Civette  sweete  ; 

There  manie  a  faire  and  daintie  drugge 
are  troden  vnder  feete. 

[19] 

There  Cinomon,  there  sugar,  gro[w]es  ; 

there  narde  and  balme  abound. 
What  tounge  can  tell  or  hart  conceiue 

the  ioyes  that  there  are  found  ? 


[Thy  happy  Saints  (Jerusalem) 

doe  bathe  in  endlesse  blisse  : 
None  but  those  blessed  soules  can  tell 

how  great  thy  glory  is.] 

[20] 

Quyt  through  the  streetes  with  siluer  sound 

the  flood  of  life  doe  flowe  ; 
Vpon  whose  bankes,  on  everie  syde, 

the  wood  of  life  doth  growe. 


[21] 

There  trees  for  euermore  beare  fruite, 

and  evermore  doe  springe  ; 
There  euermore  the  Angels  sit, 

and  evermore  doe  singe. 

1 8]  1-4  not  in  A. 

19]  2  there,  Balme  springs  from  the  ground  (A.). 

190]  1-4  added  from  A. 

20]    i  sound  :  streames  (A.)  ;   2  doe  :  read  does. 

21]  3  Angels  :  Saints  doe  (A.). 

1 68 


JERUSALEM,  MY  HAPPY  HOME 

[22] 

There  David  standes,  with  harpe  in  hand, 

as  maister  of  the  Queere. 
Tenne  thousand  times  that  man  were  blest 

that  might  this  musique  heare. 


Our  Ladie  singes  magnificat, 
with  tune  surpassinge  sweete, 

And  all  the  virginns  beare  their  partes, 
sitinge  aboue  her  feete. 

[24]         -. 

Te  Deum  doth  sa[i]nt  Ambrose  singe, 
saint  Augustine  dothe  the  like  ; 

Ould  Simeon  and  Zacharie 

haue  not  their  songes  to  seeke. 


There  Magdalene  hath  left  her  mone, 

and  cheerefullie  doth  singe, 
With  blessed  saintes  whose  harmonie 

in  everie  streete  doth  ringe. 

[26] 

Hierusalem,  my  happie  home, 

would  god  I  were  in  thee  ; 
Would  god  my  woes  were  at  an  end, 

thy  ioyes  that  I  might  see  ! 

Jftnte, 

23    I  -[24]  2  do  not  appear  in  the  printed  (Rawlinson)  ballad  or  in  F. 
23    4  aboue  :  read  about  (A.). 
"24    2  dothe  :  A.  omits  ;  3  and  :  and  good  (A.). 
^25]  2  cheerefullie:  she  likewise  (A.). 
26]  2-4  A.  omits  and  here  repeats  lines  [i]  2-4. 

169 


25 

Jerusalem,  thy  joys  divine 

Addit.  MS.  15,225,  fols.  39-42^  Text  reprinted  from  this  MS.  in 
The  Month,  September,  1 87 1,  and  said  to  be  a  translation  by  Father  Henry 
Walpole,1  S.J.,  from  St.  P.  Damian's  Ad  perennem  vlt<z  fontem  (cf.  Dublin 
Review,  CXXXIIL,  354)-  This  editor  was  unaware  that  another  version 
(^4.)  of  the  ballad  occurs  in  The  Song  of  Mary  the  Mother  of  Christ ,  .  . 
With  The  description  of  heauenly  lerusalem,  1601,  pp.  30-37,  whence  it  is 
reprinted  in  Edward  Farr's  Select  Poetry  of  the  Reign  of  Elizabeth,  pp.  427  ff. 
Nor  did  he  note  the  gross  error  in  the  MS.  which  makes  the  first 
stanza  begin  with  lines  5-8  instead  of  lines  1-4  (cf.  notes  on  these  lines). 
Version  A.,  called  "  The  description  of  heauenly  Jerusalem,"  consists  of 
52  four-line  stanzas  :  the  MS.  version  is  twelve  lines  longer,  and  affords 
several  readings  superior  to  those  of  A.  The  chief  variations  are  given 
in  the  foot-notes. 

This  ballad  well  deserves  a  place  in  the  present  collection  not  only 
for  the  purposes  of  comparison  with  the  other  descriptions  of  heaven 
printed  herein,  but  also  for  its  intrinsic  merits.  As  always  there  is  a 
tendency  to  make  the  description  so  specific  as  to  verge  on  the  ridiculous, 
but  on  the  whole  the  picture  presented  is  attractive.  Some  of  the  stanzas 
(5  if.)  remind  one  of  the  celebrated  passages  in  Keats's  Eve  of  St.  Agnes. 


a  pri0oner'0 


My  thirstie  soule  desyres  her  drought 
at  heavenlie  fountains  to  refresh  ; 

My  prisoned  mynd  would  faine  be  out 
of  chaines  and  fetters  of  the  flesh. 

I  Lines  5-8  should  be  here,  and  lines  1-4  should  open  the  first  stan: 
as  in  A.     The  arrangement  in  the  MS.  destroys  the  sense.     The  phrase 
"The  vnder  songe  "  is  not  in  A.,  and  applies  only  to  lines  5-8. 

1  Walpole  was  executed  for  religion  at  York  on  April  17,  1595.  The 
best  account  of  his  life  is  that  of  an  Anglican  minister,  Augustus  Jessopp, 
in  One  Generation  cf  a  'Norfolk  House,  1878. 

170 


JERUSALEM,  THY  JOYS  DIVINE 

The  vnder  songe. 


Ikerusalem,  thy  ioyes  devine  — 

noe  ioyes  may  be  compar'd  to  them  ; 
Noe  people  blessed  soe  as  thine, 

noe  Cittie  like  hierusalem. 
She  looketh  vp  vnto  her  state 

from  whence  she  downe  by  sinne  did  slyde, 
She  mournes  the  more  the  good  she  lost, 

for  present  ill  she  doeth  abyde. 


She  longes,  from  roughe  and  dangerous  seas, 

to  harbour  in  the  hauen  of  blisse, 
Where  safelie  ancoreth  at  her  ease 

and  shore  of  sweete  contentment  is. 
From  bannishment  she  more  and  more 

desyres  to  see  her  countrie  deare  ; 
She  sittes  and  sendes  her  sighes  before  ; 

her  ioyes  and  treasures  all  be  there. 

I  [3]     ' 

From  Babilon  she  would  retorne 

vnto  her  home  and  towne  of  peace, 
Hierusalem^  where  ioyes  abound, 

continnue  still,  and  never  cease. 
There  blusteringe  winter  never  blowes, 

nor  summer's  parchinge  heate  doth  harme. 
It  never  freeses  there  nor  snowes  ; 

the  weather  euer  temperate  warme. 

[i]  2  may  :  to  (A.)  ;    5  She  :   i.e.  My  thirstie  soule  of  line  I  ;  her 
the  (A.)  ;  8  ill  :  euill  (A.)  ;  doeth  :  i.e.  doth. 
[2]  3  ancoreth  :  anchor  (A.). 

171 


JERUSALEM,  THY  JOYS  DIVINE 

W 

The  trees  doe  blossom,  bud,  and  beare, 

the  birdes  doe  ever  chirpinge  singe, 
The  fruit  is  mellow  all  the  yeare, 

they  haue  an  euerlastinge  springe  ; 
The  pleasant  gardens  ever  keepe 

their  hearbes  and  flowers,  fresh  and  greene  ; 
All  sortes  of  pleasant,  daintie  fruites 

at  all  times  there  are  to  be  seene. 


[s] 

The  lillie  white,  the  ruddie  rose, 

the  crimsone  and  carnation  flowers, 
Be  wattered  there  with  honie  dewes 

and  heavenlie  droppes  of  goulden  showers. 
Pome-grannat  (prince  of  fruit),  the  peach, 

the  daintie  date,  and  pleasant  figge, 
The  almond,  muscadell,  and  grape, 

exceedinge  good  and  wonderous  bigge ; 


[6] 

The  lemmond,  Orange,  medler,  Quince, 

the  apricocke,  and  Indie  spice, 
The  Cherrie,  warden,  plumbe,  and  peare, — 

more  sortes  then  were  in  Paradice, — 
The  fruite  more  eisome,  toothsome,  farre 

then  that  which  grew  on  Adames  tree  ; 
With  whose  delightes  assailed  were, 

and  both  suppressed,  Eaue  and  hee. 

[4]   2  chirpinge  :    chirpe  and  (A.)  ;    7  .pleasant  .  .  .  fruites  :  dainl 
plants  and  fruites  (A.). 

[6]  2  Indie  :  Indian  (.4.)  ;  5  With  fruite  more  tooth-some,  eye-some, 
faire  (A.)  ;  6  Adames  :  i.e.  Adam's  ;  8  and  both  suppressed  :  Wher- 
with  suppris'd  were  (A.)  ;  Eaue  :  i.e.  Eve. 

172 


JERUSALEM,  THY  JOYS  DIVINE 

[7] 

The  swellinge,  Odoriferous  balme 

most  sweetely  there  doth  sweate  and  droppej 
The  fruitfull  and  victorious  palme 

layes  out  her  mountie  loftie  tooppe  ; 
The  river  wine  most  pleasant  flowes, 

more  pleasant  then  the  honie  combe, 
Vpon  whose  bankes  the  sugar  growes, 

enclos'd  in  reedes  of  Cinomond. 

[8] 

The  wales  of  Jasper  stone  be  built, 

most  rich  and  faire  that  ever  was ; 
The  streetes  and  houses  paued  and  guilt 

with  gould  more  cleare  then  Christall  glasse. 
Her  gates  in  equall  distance  bee, 

and  eac[h]e  a  glisteringe  margerite, 
Which  commers-in  farre  of[f]  may  see, — 

a  gladsome  and  a  glorious  sight. 

[9] 

Her  inward  Chambers  of  Delight 

be  decte  with  pearle  and  precious  stone  ; 
The  Doares  and  posternes  all  be  white, 

of  wrought  and  burnisht  Ivorie  bone, 
Her  sunne  doth  never  eclips  nor  cloud, 

her  moone  doth  never  there  wax  wanne  ; 
The  lambe  with  lighte  hath  her  endowde, 

whose  glorie  pen  cannot  explane. 

[10] 

The  glorious  saintes  there  dwellers  bee, 
in  number  more  then  man  can  thinke, 

[7]  4  mountie  .  .  .  tooppe  :  lofty  mounting  top  (A.). 
[9]  i  of:  and  (A.)  ;  5  eclips  :  Clipse  (A.)  ;  6  there  wax  :  wax  nor 
(A.)  ;  7  endowde  :  endued  (A.). 
[10]    i   there  :  her  (A.). 

173 


JERUSALEM,  THY  JOYS  DIVINE 

Soe  manie  in  a  companie 

as  loue  in  likelinesse  doth  thinke. 

The  Starrs,  in  brightnesse,  they  doe  passe  ; 
in  swiftnesse,  arrowes  frome  a  bo[w]e  ; 

In  strength  and  feircenesse,  steele  and  brasse  ; 
in  lightnesse,  fire  ;  in  whitenesse,  snowe. 


Their  cloathinge  is  more  softe  then  silke, 

with  guirdles  guirt  of  beaten  gould  ; 
They  in  their  handes  (more  white  then  milke), 

of  Palme  triumphant,  branches  hould  ; 
Their  faces,  shininge  like  the  sunne, 

shoote  out  their  gladsome,  glorious  beames  ; 
The  feild  is  fought,  the  battell  woone, 

their  heades  be  crown'd  with  diademes. 


Rewarde,  as  merit,  different  is  ; 

distinct,  their  Joy  and  happinesse  ; 
But  each,  in  Joy  of  others'  blis, 

doth  as  his  owne  the  same  possesse  : 
Soe  each  in  glorie  doth  abounde, 

and  all  their  glories  doe  excell  ; 
But  where  as  all  to  each  redownd, 

whoe  canne  th'  exceedinge  glorie  tell  ? 

[13] 

Triumphant  marters,  you  may  heare 
recount  their  dangers,  which  doe  cease. 

And  noble  Citicens  ever  weare 

their  happie  gownes  of  ioy  and  peace. 

[10]  4  in  .  .  .  thinke  :  in  likenes  doth  them  linke  (A.)  ;   5  doe  passe 
surpasse  (A.);  J  and  feircenesse  :   in  firmnes  (.4.). 

[l  l]  I  is  :  are  (A.)  ;  3  more,  then  :   as,  as  (A.)  ;   6  out  :   forth  (A.} 

[12]  I  merit  :  vertue  (^4.). 

[13]    i   marters:  warriers  (A.)  \  3  ever  weare:  euery  where  (^ 
4  gownes  :  gaines  (A.). 

174 


JERUSALEM,  THY  JOYS  DIVINE 

There  learned  clarkes,  with  sharpened  wittes, 
their  maker's  wonderous  workes  doe  tell. 

The  Judges  graue  on  benc[h]e  doe  sitte, 
to  Judge  the  tribes  of  Israeli. 

[HI 

The  glorious  courtiers  ever  there 

attend  on  person  of  their  kinge, 
With  Angells,  ioyned  in  a  Queere, 

melodious  himmes  of  praises  singe. 
The  virginne  chast,  in  lillie  white, 

the  marteres  clad  in  scarlet  red, 
The  holie  fathers  which  did  write, 

weare  Lawrell  garelandes  on  their  heads. 

[15] 

Each  Confesser  a  goulden  crowne, 

adorn'd  with  pearle  and  precious  stone, 
Th'  apostles  (pearles  in  renowne) 

like  princes  sit  in  regall  throne  ; 
Queene  mother,  virgine  Iminent, — 

then  saintes  and  Angels  more  devine, — 
Like  sunne  amids  the  firmament, 

aboue  the  planetes  all  doth  shine. 

[16] 

The  King,  that  heavenlie  pallace  rules, 
dothe  beare  vpon  his  goulden  sheild 

A  crosse  in  signe  of  triumph, — gules 
erected  in  a  vardiant  feild. 

His  glorie  saith  as  doeth  behooue 
him  in  his  manhood  for  to  take, 

[14]  4  himmes  of  praises :  praise  of  hymmes  to  (A.)  ;  5-8 — [15]  1-4 
are  not  in  A. 

[15]  3  pearles :  i.e.  peerless. 

[16]  i  that  :  i.e.  who  that  ;  4  vardiant  :  i.e.  verdant  (A.)  ;  5  saith  : 
read  such  (^4.). 

175 


JERUSALEM,  THY  JOYS  DIVINE 

Whose  godhead  earth,  and  heauen  aboue, 
and  all  that  dwell  therein  did  make. 

[17] 

Lyke  frendes,  all  partners  as  in  blis 

with  Christ^  their  lord  and  maister  deare  ; 
Lyke  spouses,  they  the  brydgroome  kis, 

whoe  feasteth  them  with  heauenlie  cheere  : 
With  tree  of  life  and  manna  sweete, 

which,  tasted,  doth  such  pleasure  bringe 
As  non[e]  to  Judge  thereof  be  meete 

but  such  as  banquet  with  the  kinge. 

[18] 

With  Cherubims  their  winges  they  mooue 

and  mount  in  contemplation  highe  ; 
With  Seraphims  the[y]  burne  in  loue, 

the  beames  of  glorie  be  soe  nighe. 
The  virgin's  Children  deare  they  bee, 

her  louinge  sonne  for  to  imbrace, 
And  Jesus  his  brethren,  for  to  see 

his  heavenlie  father's  glorious  face. 

[19] 

O  sweete  aspecte,  vision  of  peace, 

happie  regard,  and  heauenlie  sight ! 
O  en[d]les  ioy  without  surcease, 

perpetuall  day  which  hath  noe  night  ! 
O  well  and  wale,  fountaine  of  life, 

ofspringe  of  everlastinge  blis, 
Eternall  sunne,  resplendant  light, 

and  eminent  cause  of  all  that  is ! 

[17]  i  as :  read  are  (A.)  ;  6  tasted,  such  :  taste,  such  a  (A.) ;  8  such 
as  :  they  which  (A.). 

[18]  5-8  not  in  A.  ;  7  Jesus  his  :  i.e.  Jesus's. 

[19]  5  and  wale  :  of  weale  (A.)  ;  6  ofspringe  :  a  spring  (A.). 

176 


JERUSALEM,  THY  JOYS  DIVINE 

[20] 

Riuer  of  pleasure,  sea  of  delight, 

garden  of  glorie  ever  greene  ! 
O  glorious  glasse  and  mirror  bright, 

wherein  all  truth  is  euer  scene  ! 
O  princlie  palace,  royall  court, 

monarchall  seate,  imperiall  throne, 
Where  kinge  of  kinges  and  soueraigne  lord 

for  ever  ruleth  all  alone, — 

;         [21] 

Where  all  the  glorious  saintes  doe  see 

the  secretes  of  the  deitie, — 
The  godhead  and,  in  persons  three, 

the  super-blessed  trinitie  : 
The  depth  of  wisdome  most  profounde,' 

all  puisant,  high  sublimitie, 
The  breadth  of  loue,  without  all  bound, 

in  endlesse  longe  eternitie. 

[22] 

The  heauie  earth  belowe  by  kynd 

aboue  ascendes  the  mountinge  fier, 
Be  this  the  Center  of  my  mynd 

and  loftie  speare  of  her  desyre  ! 
The  Chased  deare  doe  take  the  soyle, 

the  tyred  hart  the  thicke  and  wood  ; 
Be  this  the  comfort  of  my  toyle, 

my  refuge,  hope,  and  soueraigne  good. 

[23] 

The  marchant  cutes  the  seas  for  gaine, 
the  soldier  serues  for  his  renowne, 

[20]  4  euer  :  clearely  (A.).  [21]  3  and  :  one  (A.). 

•  [22]  4  speare  :  i.e.  sphere  ;  6  thicke  :  thickes  (A.). 
[23]  i  cutes  :  i.e.  cuts  ;   2  serues  for  :  serueth  (A.). 

M  177 


JERUSALEM,  THY  JOYS  DIVINE 

The  tilman  plowes  the  ground  for  graine,— 
be  this  my  ioy  and  lastinge  crowne  ! 

The  falkener  seekes  to  see  a  flight, 
the  hunter  beates  to  see  his  gamme, — 

Longe  thou,  my  soule,  to  see  that  sight, 
and  labor  to  enioy  the  same. 


Noe  houre  without  some  one  delight 

which  he  endevours  to  attaine, — 
Seeke  thou,  my  soule,  both  day  and  night 

this  one,  which  euer  shall  remaine  : 
This  one  containes  all  pleasure  true  ; 

all  other  pleasures  are  but  vaine, 
Bid  thou  the  rest,  my  soule,  adew, 

and  seeke  alone  this  one  to  gaine. 

[25] 

Goe  count  the  grasse  vpon  the  ground, 

or  sandes  that  be  vpon  the  shoare, 
And  when  you  haue  the  number  found, 

the  ioyes  thereof  be  manie  more. 
More  thousand,  thousand  yeares  they  last 

and  lodge  within  the  happie  minde, 
And  when  soe  manie  yeares  be  past, 

yet  more  and  more  bee  still  behind. 


[26] 

Far  more  they  be  then  we  can  weene, 
they  doe  our  Judgment  much  excell ; 

Noe  eare  hath  hard  nor  eie  hath  seene, 
noe  pen  can  wryte,  noe  tounge  can  tell. 

[23]  6  see  his :  view  the  (A.).  [24]  i  houre  :  one  (A.), 

[25]  i  Goe  :  to  (A.)  ;  4  thereof:  heereof  (A.). 

178 


JERUSALEM,  THY  JOYS  DIVINE 

An  Angell's  tonge  cannot  recyte 
the  endlesse  ioyes  of  heauenlie  blis, 

Which,  beinge  whollie  infinite, 
behond  all  speach  and  wrytinge  is. 


We  can  imagine  but  a  shade,  — 

it  never  entred  into  thought 
What  ioy  he  is  enioyn'd  that  made 

all  ioy,  and  them  that  ioy,  of  nought. 
My  soule  cannot  the  ioyes  contayne,  — 

let  her,  lord,  enter  into  them, 
For  euer  with  thee  to  remayne, 

within  thy  towne  hierusalem. 

Jfinte. 

[27]  3  What  ioyes  he  hath  enioyed,  that  made  (//.). 


179 


If  England  will  take  heed 

Sloane  MS.  1896,  fols.  56v-58.  This  curious  ballad,  with  its  slurs 
at  "  the  Romish  rout,"  "  popish  tyrants,"  and  "  prateing  Papists,"" 
affords  a  striking  contrast  to  the  ballads  from  Additional  MS.  15,225. 

In    1560    the    Spanish   Ambassador    wrote    to    Philip    II.  :    "Two- 
thousand  families  of  Flemish  Protestants  are  established  in  England," 
and  by  1570  Flemings  had  "crowded  across  the  Channel  in  tens  of| 
thousands"  (Froude's  History,  1870,  VII.,  202  ;  X.,  106).     The  ballad j 
was  written  about  1570 — apparently  its  author  refers  to  the  Northera 
Rebellion  of  1569  in  the  last  stanza — and  reproaches  those  Engl \shmea 
who  objected  to  the  influx  of  oppressed  Protestants  as  if  these  unfortunate-jl 
refugees  came  "  to  make  things  dear  and  vanish  wealth  away."     The  II 
ballad,  then,  has  some  historical  value.     Notice  the  internal  rhyme  iaj| 
the  fifth  line  of  each  stanza. 


Dotty  blesse  t\)w  realme  for 

receding  of  straungers  being  persecuted 

for  ttye  gospell,  alttyougt)  some  Do  repine 

ttjerat. 


If  England  will  take  heede, 

as  cause  ther  is  indeede, 
Then  let  them  lo[o]k  about, 

and  wede  abuses  out. 
For  if  they  range,  the  state  will  change 

from  weale  to  wo,  no  doubt. 


It  is  not  as  some  deeme, 

which  by  their  carping  seme 

1 80 


IF  ENGLAND  WILL  TAKE  HEED 

Pore  straungers  to  invay, 

as  all  the  matter  laye  — 
That  they  be  here  to  make  thinges  deare 

and  banishe  wealth  away. 


Theise  men,  as  may  apeare, 

came  never  yet  so  neare 
The  scripture  to  discerne  ; 

wherin  we  ought  to  learne 
With  those  to  beare  that  strangers  are 

their  stomakes  are  to[o]  sterne. 

w 

It  semes  well  by  their  hast 

in  tyme  of  turmoyles  past, 
Ye  lovde  your  ease  and  slepe 

with  house  and  landes  to  keepe  ; 
Else  would  not  you  pore  strangers  now 

dispise,  that  succor  seeke. 

[5] 

If  they  had  bene  exilde, 

as  others  were  turmoylde, 
And  so  had  learnde  to  knowe 

what  kindenesse  suche  did  showe, 
As  straungers  are  to  straungers  were 

suche  blastes  they  would  not  blowe. 


We  would  as  well  as  theise 

that  god  and  prince  may  please, 

This  englishe  yle  to  guyde 
and  for  the  same  provyde  ; 

As  it  may  gaine  a  wealthfull  raign 
with  all  good  thinges  besyde. 

[2]  3  invay  =  inveigh  ;  4  all  :  read  if. 

181 


IF  ENGLAND  WILL  TAKE  HEED 


And  eke  we  wishe  also 

that  suche  as  come  and  goe 

From  forraine  realmes  about 
may  well  be  syfted  out  : 

If  sound  they  be,  and  hither  fle, 
to  voyde  the  romishe  route. 

[8] 
And  suche  as  be  not  found 

sincerely  bent  and  sound, 
But  make  it  their  pretence 

and  have  their  secrete  sence, 
For  game  to  fyshe,  to  theise  we  wishe 

let  them  be  banished  hence. 

[9] 

Howbeit  suche  straungers  poore, 

as  we  have  bene  to  fore, 
That  fle  the  bloudy  trayne, 

where  popishe  tirantes  raygne, — 
Let  vs  no  wise  such  gestes  despise, 

but  well  them  entertayne. 

[10] 

Thou  shalt  not  be  the  worse, 

o  england,  if  thou  nourse 
Theise  exiles  come  of  late 

(What  so  theise  papistes  prate  ?), 
Who,  to  retaine  their  cbrist,  are  faine 

to  chose  this  banisht  state. 


But  god  with  good  successe 
in  mercy  shall  the[e]  blesse  ; 

182 


IF  ENGLAND  WILL  TAKE  HEED 

And  make  thy  fruites  abound, 
thy  cattell,  and  thy  ground,  • 

And  corne  by  heape  shall  force  a  cheap, 
if  thou  in  fayth  be  sound. 


And  eke  if  thou  repent 

thy  synne  and  tyme  mispent, 
And  lyve  as  god  doth  will 

in  his  apointed  still, 
Then  god,  in  love,  that  raignes  above 

shall  the[e]  defend  from  ill. 

I  t'3] 

As  for  our  noble  Quene 

in  trouble  she  hath  bene 
For  truth,  and  therfore  nowe 

poore  straungers  doth  alowe 
A  quyet  state,  thoughe  brablers  prat, 

they  wot  not  why  nor  ho  we. 

JTtttta. 

[il]  5  heape  =  a  definite  measure,  cheap  =  a  bargain. 

[13]  I  Quene  :  i.e.  Elizabeth  ;  2  Possibly  an  allusion  to  her  imprison 
ment  by  Queen  Mary,  or  to  the  Catholic  Rising  of  1569  ;  but  only  a 
general  reference  to  religious  disturbances  may  be  intended. 


183 


.       27 

A  happy  wind  those  locusts  hence 
doth  blow 


From  a  unique  broadside  in  the  Library  of  the  Society  of  Antiquaries, 
London  (Lemon's  Catalogue  of  Broadsides,  p.  67)  :  printed  in  white-letter 
type  in  four  columns,  with  one  wood-cut  showing  the  four  personages, 
Truth,  Time,  Popery,  and  Politic. 

On  May  6,  1624,  James  I.  issued  A  Proclamation  charging  all  I e suites, 
Seminaries,  8$c.,  to  depart  the  Land,  which  recites  that  the  King  "  doth  by 
this  his  Proclamation  strictly  charge  and  command  all  lesuites,  Seminary 
Priests,  and  all  others  that  haue  taken  Orders  by  any  authority  deriued 
from  the  Sea  \sic\  of  Rome,  now  resident,  or  being  within  this  His 
Maiesties  Realme  of  England,  or  the  Dominion  of  Wales,  That  they,  and 
euery  one  of  them,  doe  before  the  fourteenth  day  of  lune  next  ensuing 
the  date  hereof,  make  their  repaire  to  some  of  His  Maiesties  Ports  within 
the  said  Realme  or  Dominion,  and  from  thence  to  Transport  themselues 
out  of  the  same,  with  the  first  opportunitie  of  Winde  and  Weather,  into 
some  forreine  parts  beyond  the  Sea,  and  neuer  after  to  returne  into  this 
Realme."  Those  found  in  England  or  Wales  after  June  14  "shall 
vndergoe  the  vttermost  seuerity  and  punishment,  which  by  the  Lawes, 
in  that  behalfe  made,  can  bee  inflicted  vpon  them."  (The  copy  of  this 
proclamation  in  the  British  Museum  has  the  press-mark  €.83. k.  1/3.) 
Line  88  shows  that  the  broadside  was  printed  sometime  between  May  6 
and  June  14,  1624.  Earlier  proclamations  to  this  same  effect  had  been 
issued  by  James  I.  in  February,  1604  ;  June,  1606,  and  June,  1610. 


crabete  of  cime: 


Eoatrrn  tot'tjj  }3optsfj 

Great  Britaine  tO  Rome. 


anfc  5Tntt|)>  ?30p£?g  anfc 
of  tjjem  twlaring  tojat  setuice  tftes  twtt*  tone 

/o  //5^/r  Masters. 
184 


THOSE  LOCUSTS  HENCE  DOTH  BLOW 

TIME. 

A  Happy  winde  those  Locusts  hence  doth  blow 

That  would  our  Church  and  Common- wealth  o'rethrowe; 

Who  all  (so  ill)  did  play  their  parts  so  well, 

Stout  Actors  and  true  Factors  vnto  Hell, 

Men's  soules  and  hearts  from  God  and  King  to  steale, 

Cum  Priuilegio,  vnder  Hel's  great  Scale  ; 

That  true  Religion  (to  whom  all  must  stoope), 

Like  [a]  Decaying  Tree,  did  seeme  to  droope, 

Romis  caterpillers  did  so  multiply, 

And  in  her  boughes  and  branches  lurking  lye, 

That  all  true  hearts  that  saw  how  thicke  they  swarm'd 

Were  (God  be  thanked)  much  more  fear'd  then  harnrd. 

Yet  no  conniuence  or  no  toleration 

Inferr'd  a  feare  of  any  alteration  ; 

But  when  their  Insolence  was  at  the  height, 

Then  topsie  turuy  downe  it  tumbled  streight. 

When  TIME'S  Great  Maker  (the  most  high  ETERNAL) 

In  mercy  looked  from  his  Throne  supernall, 

And  saw  the  Euils  which  began  to  grow 

In  his  deare  Vine,  here  Militant  below, 

HE  to  my  Daughter  TRVTH  gaue  straight  command 

That  SHEE  those  dang'rous  ERRORS  should  withstand. 

Then  vp  I  tooke  vpon  my  aged  Backe 

This  load  of  Vanitie^  this  Pedler's  packe, 

This  Trunke  of  Trash,  and  Romish  Trumperies, 

Deluding  showes,  infernall  forgeries. 

This  Burden  backe  to  Rome  Pie  beare  againe 

From  thence  it  came,  there  let  it  still  remaine. 

TRVTH. 

Deare  Father,  though  I  seem'd  asleepe  a  while, 
'Twas  but  to  note  their  Insolence  and  Guile, 
Their  vndermining  trickes,  their  iugling  shifts, 
Their  Practice,  politicke,  and  deuillish  drifts  ; 
Whilst  vnder  shadowes  and  meere  showes  of  TRVTH, 
They  sought  to  blinde  and  coozen  age  and  youth, 


A  HAPPY  WIND 

Which  my  Great  Master,  GOD  Omnipotent, 
Foresaw  ;  and,  seeing,  timely  did  preuent. 
The  Sunne-Beames  of  his  Gospell  he  displayes, 
Whose  glorious  lights  (eternall,  piercing  Rayes) 
Shines  with  such  burning  heate  through  TRVTH'S  bright 

.  Glasse 

That  errors  are  consumed  like  withered  grasse. 
But  say,  old  Father  TIME,  what's  that,  I  pray, 
Which  on  your  backe  you  beare  so  swift  away  ? 


TIME. 

Beloued  Daughter,  I  haue  said  before 
It  is  the  Figure  of  the  purple  Whore, 
Which,  like  a  fugitiue,  I  beare  with  shame 
From  Tything  vnto  Tything,  whence  she  came. 
But  what  is  Hee  that  followes  thee  behinde, 
Yet  to  ore-take  thee  seemes  no  way  inclined  ? 


TRVTE. 

It  is  a  trusty,  seruiceable  Don,— 

A  Vassall  to  the  Beast  of  Babylon, — 

Who  doth  his  best  and  worst,  where  he  doth  come, 

To  make  all  Kingdomes  subiect  vnto  Rome. 

He  followes  TRVTH,  but  'tis  farre  off  you  see  ; 

He  neuer  meanes  to  lay  true  hold  on  MEE. 

Yet  with  my  Robes  himselfe  doth  oft  disguise, 

And  make  the  simple  swallow  downe  his  lyes. 

Indeed  hee's  but  a  Furie  in  man's  shape, 

His  name  is  Politicize,  Religion's  Ape. 

And,  I  perceiue,  his  minde  he  faine  would  breake 

To  your  sweet  Load  ;  Harke,  he  beginnes  to  speake, 


POLITICK. 

Say,  wherefore  are  you  hence  in  poste  thus  riding  ? 

1 86 


THOSE  LOCUSTS  HENCE  DOTH  BLOW 

POPERT. 

To  Rome  againe,  for  here  is  no  abiding  ; 

Our  labour's  lost,  my  deare  adopted  Sonne, 

And  all  that  we  haue  done  is  quite  vndone. 

The  things  we  thought  more  secret  then  the  night, 

TIME  and  his  Daughter  TRVTH  hath  brought  to  light. 

POLITICK. 

Al  times  and  seasons  I  with  care  haue  watcht, 

And  sate  on  Egges,  in  hope  they  would  be  hatcht ; 

Which,  had  they  taken  life,  had  been  a  brood 

Of  Cockatrices  (for  our  Gen'rall  good). 

They  were  my  scrues,  my  engins,  and  my  trickes, 

Surpassing  Machiuilian  Politicks. 

Oh  had  they  come  to  haue  a  happy  birth, 

'T  had  beene  an  vniuersall  day  of  mirth  ; 

O[u]r  great  Cause  Catholike  had  beene  aduanc'd, 

And  all  our  enemies  discountenanc'd. 

Then  came  a  Parliament,  whose  weighty  stroake, 

Found  out  my  Nest,  and  all  my  Egges  they  broke. 

Thus  (Father)  all  our  paines  and  labour's  lost, 

And  you  and  I  must  needs  depart  this  Coast. 

The  Catholikes  of  vs  are  growne  suspitious — 

Our  lesuit-Priests  haue  beene  so  auaritious, 

And  with  such  holinesse  haue  pick'd  their  purse, 

Which  being  spyde,  our  cause  is  much  the  worse  ; 

And  thus  old  TIME  and  TRVTH  hath  giuen  such  light 

That  Catholikes  themselues  distaste  vs  quite. 

Then  let's  be  logging,  here's  no  staying  here, 

The  fourteenth  day  of  lune  is  full  of  feare, 

For  then  a  Proclamation  doth  take  force, 

To  Hang  vs  all.     Pray  God  it  proue  no  worse. 

TRFTH. 

This  sweet  Discourse  exceeding  pleasing  was, 
Prais'd  be  the  GOD  of  TRVTH  that  brings  to  passe 


A  HAPPY  WIND 

These  wondrous  things  for  his  beloued  VINE, 
Which  makes  her  Militant  on  Earth  to  shine, 
And  by  his  mercy  here  such  Grace  is  giu'n 
That  shee  shall  shine  Triumphantly  in  Heau'n. 

TIME. 

And  TIME  ascribes  all  praise  and  thankes  therefore 
Vnto  his  Glorious  Name  for  euermore. 


188 


28        If    - 

Famous  Brittany,  give  thanks 

Reprinted  from  a  unique  black-letter  broadside  in  the  Pepys  Collec 
tion,  I.,  60.  Part  I.  is  printed  in  three  columns,  Part  II.  in  two,  each 
separated  by  a  heavy  rule.  There  are  three  good  wood-cuts.  The 
margins  are  badly  torn  :  in  stanza  2  it  has  been  necessary  to  fill  in  the 
gaps  more  or  less  by  guess. 

This  ballad  has  the  distinction  of  being  the  earliest  work  extant  by 
Martin  Parker,  that  prince  of  ballad-mongers.  Though  not  dated  or 
entered  in  the  Stationers'  Registers,  it  was  printed  shortly  after  the 
Proclamation  against  Jesuits  and  seminary  priests  issued  by  James  I.  on 
May  6,  1624.  Parker  here  appears  in  no  very  pleasant  light,  but  it  is 
not  to  be  expected  that  a  mere  ballad-writer  should  be  more  tolerant 
and  charitable  than  "  the  patterne  of  pietie,"  James  I.,  whom  he  so 
devotedly  admired.  There  is  a  brief  sketch  of  Parker  in  the  Dictionary 
ofNational  Biography,  and  a  more  elaborate  sketch  by  the  present  writer 
in  Modern  Philology,  XVI.  (1919),  449-474. 

The  celebrated  printer,  John  Trundle,  was  noted  for  his  ballads  even 
before  1  600,  as  readers  of  Jonson's  Every  Man  in  His  Humour  will 
remember.  No  other  ballad  of  Parker's  came,  I  believe,  from  his  press  ; 
but  the  widow  Trundle,  later  on,  not  infrequently  published  the  work 
of  M.  P. 

For  the  tune,  Room  for  Cuckolds,  see  Chappell's  Popular  Music,  I.,  322. 

a  scourge  for  tye  pope, 
sarpricallp  scourging  tfoe  itcijing  sines  of  tits 
obstinate  moot  in 


To  the  Tune  of  Roome  fcr,  etc. 


Famous  Brittany, 
Giue  thankes  to  God  on  high 
Who  hath  deliuered  thee 
from  Popish  fictions. 

189 


FAMOUS  BRITTANY,  GIVE  THANKS 

Thy  Religion  free 

With  God's  Word  doth  agree, 

While  Romis  false  doctrine 

imply  contradictions. 
With  subtill  intrusion, 
They  sought  Truthe's  confusion  ; 
I  trust  the  conclusion 

will  frustrate  their  hope. 
Our  King  doth  defy  them, 
Our  Commons  descry  them, 
'Tis  fit  they  should  hye  them 

away  to  the  Pope. 

[2] 

Where  are  the  lesuites 
That  late  were  so  arrogant  ? 
That  they  would  needs 

take  vpon  them  to  teach  vs, 
In  euery  corner 
Seduceing  the  ignorant ; 
But  now  I  hope  they 

no  more  shall  ore-reach  vs. 
They  are  best  be  packing 
(Their  power  is  slacking), 
Unlesse  they  loue  cracking 

[thjeir  necks  in  a  rope. 
"Now]  Truth's  manifested, 
Religion's  unmjolested, 
For  we  have  protested 

[against  the  falsje  Pope. 

[3] 

Long  haue  they  looked 
To  get  toleration, 
But  God  kept  the  heart 
of  our  King  in  his  Hand  ; 

[i]  8  imply  :  read  implies. 

190 


FAMOUS  BRITTANY,  GIVE  THANKS 

That  would  haue  wrought 
Our  Truth's  extirpation, 
If  they  had  diuulged 

their  lyes  through  the  Land. 
But  now  'tis  otherwise  : 
All  popish  trumperies, 
With  faigned  forgeries, 

shall  haue  no  scope  ; 
Our  Laws  will  preuent  them, 
And  shrewdly  torment  them, 
There's  none  to  content  them 

so  soone  as  the  Pope. 

w 

You  fond  Papists 
That  late  were  seduced, 
In  time  be  resolued 

to  make  recantation, 
That  your  poore  soules  may 
Againe  be  reduced 
Unto  his  blest  Gospell 

who  bought  your  saluation. 
Shake  hands  and  bid  adue 
To  that  deceitfull  crue  ; 
What  pittie  'tis  that  you 

in  blindnesse  grope  ; 
Make  haste  and  come  from  thence, 
Submit  for  your  offen[ce], 
Put  no  more  consider[ence], 

in  the  false  Pope. 

[5] 

Now  we  shall  haue 
No  secret  Assemblies, 
Nor  meeting  houses 
to  celebrate  Masse ; 

[3]  7  diuulged  :  i.e.  divulged. 


FAMOUS  BRITTANY,  GIVE  THANKS 

Now  the  lesuit 

With  feare  made  to  tremble  is, 

To  thinke  what  strange  euents 

will  come  to  passe. 
This  great  vexation, 
Beyond  expectation, 
A  strange  alteration 

hath  bred  in  their  hope  ; 
They  Arguments  framed 
And  priuiledge  claimed, 
But  now  they  are  tamed, 

and  fly  to  the  Pope. 

[6] 

All  Professors  true 
Lately  were  sore  afraid, 
For  feare  the  Papists  would 

get  some  permission 
To  haue  free  vse  of  their 
Seditious,  lying  trade  ; 
But  now,  I  hope, 

there's  no  cause  of  suspicio[n]. 
Our  Parliament  Royall 
Will  giue  them  deniall, 
A  meanes  to  destroy  all 

their  causes  of  hope  ; 
Our  King  will  requit  th[em]. 
And  worthily  fit  them, 
Their  best  waie's  to  [flit  them] 

with  speed  to  the  [Pope]. 


192 


FAMOUS  BRITTANY,  GIVE  THANKS 

0econt>  part. 

To  the  same  tune. 

[7]  '.'     •• 

Farewell,  Masse-mongers, 
With  all  your  iuggling  tricks  ; 
Your  puppet  plaies  will  not 

here  be  allow'd. 
Haue  me  commended 
Unto  your  great  Pontifex, 
Tell  him  Saint  Peter 

was  neuer  so  proud  ; 
And  say  'tis  needfull, 
That  he  should  be  heedfull, 
Lest  God's  Judgements  dreadfull 

do  light  on  his  Cope. 
Dominic  nor  Francis, 
Whom  Rome  so  aduances, 
Cannot  from  mischances 

secure  the  proud  Pope. 

[8] 

Our  good  King  is 
The  patterne  of  pietie, 
And  well  deserueth 

his  Stile,  Faith's  Defender. 
He,  like  a  Shepheard, 
Ordained  by  the  Deity, 
His  Flocks  most  safely 

will  nourish  and  tender. 
The  Pope  he  excludeth  : 
Though  oft  he  intrudeth, 
Yet,  like  zealous  ludeth, 

his  head  he  will  crop  ; 

[8]   i  King  :  i.e.  James  I.  ;    1 1    ludeth  :   i.e.  Judith,  the  apocryphal 
icroine. 

N  I93 


FAMOUS  BRITTANY,  GIVE  THANKS 

Like  good  Hezekias 
And  feruent  losiasy 
He  serues  the  Messias, 
and  hateth  the  Pope. 


[9] 

Then,  Professors  true, 
Plucke  vp  a  courage  good, 
Feare  the  Lord  truely, 

dread  not  your  foes  ; 
Keepe  your  faith  still  pure, 
And  doe  not  spare  your  bloud, 
Let  not  the  Papists 

delude  you  with  showes. 
Giue  no  permission 
To  Romis  superstition, 
Upon  no  condition 

of  promise  or  hope  ; 
Let  due  execution 
And  stout  resolution 
Expell  all  pollution 

that  springs  from  the  Pope. 


That  we  may  effect 
What  we  desire  to  see, 
Let  vs  to  God  direct 

our  supplications 
For  our  dread  Soueraigne  ; 
Under  whose  Maiestie 
We  doe  enioy  the  true 

meanes  of  Saluation  ; 
Giue  him  strength  to  subdue 
Antichrist  and  his  crue  ; 
With  zeale  Prince  Charles  endu[e], 

our  second  hope  ; 

194 


FAMOUS  BRITTANY,  GIVE  THANKS 

Good  Lord,  be  thou  present 
In  our  high  Parliament 
That  none  may  giue  consent 
to  loue  the  Pope. 

tffnt*. 

Per  me,  Martin  Parker. 

London  :  printed  for  John  Trun\dle\ 

and  are  to  be  sold  at  his  Shop 

in  Smithfield. 


195 


H^ho  would  not  be  a  cuckold 

Harleian  MS.  3910,  fols.  41^42.  This  ballad,  wholly  unobjection 
able  in  its  phrasing,  belongs  to  the  reign  of  James  I.,  and  is  worth 
including  here  not  only  because  of  its  tone  of  genuine  indignation,  but 
because  its  slurs  at  Bishops  and  Catholics  give  it  a  real  connection 
with  many  of  the  other  ballads  in  this  collection.  The  measure,  too,.! 
is  attractive. 


Whoe  would  not  be  a  Cuckold, 

To  haue  a  hansom  wife  ? 

Whoe  would  not  be  a  wittold, 

To  lead  a  merry  life  ? 

Though  many  do  disdayne  it, 
And  scorne  to  haue  the  name, 
Yet  others  intertayne  it, 
And  neuer  blush  for  shame. 

[2] 

The  good-wife,  like  a  Peacock, 

She  getts  in  braue  attyre  ; 

The  good-man,  like  a  Meacock, 

Sitts  smoaking  ore  the  fyre  : 

Hee  neuer  dares  reprooue  her, 
But  letts  her  haue  her  will ; 
Nor  cares  how  many  loue  her, 
So  shee  the  purse  do  fille. 

[3] 

Some  men  attayne  to  Maces, 
Through  bounty  of  their  Dames, 

[2]  3  Meacock     an  effeminate  and  cowardly  man 
196 


WHO  WOULD  NOT  BE  A  CUCKOLD 

And  couer  all  Disgraces, 
Yf  well  they  playe  their  games  ; 
But  when  the  sole  comanding 
Emongst  the  females  fall, 
For  want  of  vnderstanding 
They  comenly  marre  all. 

W        :       •     ~. 

Nor  doth  alone  the  Citty 
Such  presidents  aforde  : 
In  Courte,  the  more  the  pitty, 
Some  Ladies  playe  the  lorde  : 
And  then  to  be  in  fashion 
Shee  turnes  Catholicall,  — 
O  vile  abhomynation, 
The  pope  can  pardon  all  ! 

[s] 

Are  women  thus  devoted 

To  levities  by  kinde  ? 

Or  are  the  men  so  doted 

To  see  and  yet  be  blynde  ? 

But  proffitt  and  promotion 
The  worlde  do  over  rule, 
And  counterfett  Devotion 
Can  make  the  wise  a  foole. 


[4]  2  presidents  :  i.e.  precedents. 


197 


30 
Jesus,  my  loving  spouse 

Addit.  MS.  15,225,  fols.  y-yv.     Written  in  double  columns.     TJ 
title  is  taken  from  the  only  other  copy  known  :  that  in  the  Shirbui 
Ballads,  pp,  84  ff.     The  present  version  is,  on  the  whole,  superior 
the  Shirburn  copy  (S.),  and  is  one  stanza  longer.     The  chief  variatu 
between  the  two  are  cited  in  the  foot-notes.     The  ballad  was  entered 
the  Stationers'  Registers  (Arber's  Transcript,  I.,  380)  in  1568-69  as  " 
tru  invocation  of  God  in  the  name  of  Christe  Jesus." 

For  the  tune  see  Chappell's  Popular  Music,  II.,  517. 

[Clie  sinner,  tri0pi0inge  tlje  tnorlu  anfc 
all  eattftp  banitie0,  repa0ett)  t>fe  &>We 
confidence  in  W0  beloben  satiour,  3ie0u0 


To  the  Tune  of  Dainty,  come  thow  to  mee.] 

CO 

Jesus,  my  louing  spouse, 

eternall  veritie, 
Perfect  guide  of  my  soule, 

way  to  eternitie,  — 
Strengthen  me  with  thy  grace, 

from  thee  He  never  flee, 
Let  them  all  say  what  they  will, 

Jesu,  come  thou  to  me. 


Poore  men  seeke  after  wealth  ; 
blind  men  seeke  libertie  ; 

[2]  2  blind  :   bond  (5.). 
198 


JESUS,  MY  LOVING  SPOUSE 

Crazed  corpes  cry  for  health  ; 

all  seeke  prosperietie  ; 
I  seeke  nothinge  but  Christ, 

he  alone  pleaseth  mee  ; 
Let  them  all  say  what  they  will, 

Jesu,  come  thou  to  mee. 

_  [3] /••<:". 

Some  wearie  out  themselues 

in  waies  of  vanitie  ; 
Some  folio  we  painted  flees 

in  feeldes  of  miserie  ; 
Some,  in  the  mouthes  of  men, 

place  their  felicitie  ; — 
Such  tryfles  I  contemne, 

Jesus ,  for  loue  of  thee. 


W 

Feruent  loue  longeth  sore 

his  ladies  face  to  see  ; 
Discarded  courtiers  seeke 

in  princes'  grace  to  be  ; 
Noe  want  nor  wooe  I  f  eele, 

whitest  I  doe  inioy  thee. 
Let  them  all  say  what  they  will, 

Jesu,  come  thou  to  mee. 

I  [5] 

Some  passe  through  surginge  seas, 

in  daylie  jeopardie  ; 
Hazardinge  life  and  limme, 

to  bee  inricht  thereby  ; 

[2]  3  crazed  corpes :  read  craz'd  corpses  ;  6  he  alone  :  read  alone  he. 
[3]  3  flees  :  i.e.  flies,  trifles.     [4]  I  Stanza  4  follows  stanza  5  in  S.  ; 
3  seeke  :  not  in  S.  ;  6  while  I  remane  with  thee  (5.). 

199 


JESUS,  MY  LOVING  SPOUSE 

In  toyle  at  home,  therefore, 

I,  by  possessinge  thee, 
Haue  all  they  haue  and  more. 

Jesu,  come  tbou  to  mee. 

[6] 

What  can  this  wretched  world 

(repleat  with  miserie) 
Yeald  to  delight  my  soule 

(made  for  eternitie  )  ? 
All  is  vaine,  all  is  fraile, 

all  that  compar'd  to  thee, 
All  earthlie  thinges  doe  faile. 

Jesus,  come  thou  to  mee. 

[7] 

All  that  hart  can  conceiue, 

eares  can  heare,  eies  can  see, — 
All  and  more  I  posses, 

sweete  Jesus  Christ,  by  thee  ; 
Heauen  and  earth — all  therein — 

life  and  lime  thou  giuest  mee  ; 
Haue  I  not  then  cause  to  singe, 

Jesu,  come  thou  to  mee  ? 

[8] 

If  pleasure  mooue  my  mynde, 

power,  or  nobillitie, 
All  this  in  thee  I  fynd, — 

strenght  and  agillitie, 
Wisdome,  wit,  bewtie,  wealth, 

peace,  and  all  sanc[ti]tie, 
Perfecte  health  of  my  soule. 

Jesu,  come  thou  to  mee. 

[5]  5  In  :  some  (5.).     [7]  2  Read  eares  heare  or  eies  can  see. 
[8]  4  strenght  :  i.e.  strength  ;  6  peace,  and  felicity  (5.). 

200 


JESUS,  MY  LOVING  SPOUSE 


Though  the  world  tempt  me  sore, 

though  the  flesh  trouble  me, 
Tho  the  devill  would  devoure, 

my  refuge  is  to  thee  ; 
Though  heaven  and  earth  doe  faile, 

tho  all  perplexed  bee, 
Thou  art  and  euer  shall 

my  cheefest  comfort  bee. 

'      •          [10] 
Thou  art  my  sauiour  sweete, 

foode  and  delight  to  mee, 
A  medicine  most  sweete 

to  eich  mfirmitie  ; 
To  my  tast,  honnie  sweete  ; 

to  my  eare,  melodic  ; 
Perfecte  guyde  to  my  feete  ; 

to  my  hart,  Jubelie. 


Not  my  will,  sauiour  myne, 

but  thine  performed  bee. 
All  thinges  I  count  as  dunge, 

Jesu,  for  loue  of  thee. 
Pleasure,  pompe,  all  delight,  — 

that  I  may  blessed  bee,  — 
I  doe  abandon  quyte, 

Jesu,  for  loue  of  thee. 

[12] 

If  I  faile  for  thy  sake 

in  seas  of  miserie, 
Noe  account  thereof  I  make, 

soe  thou  abyde  with  me. 

l_io]  2  to  :  MS.  originally  vnto  ;   3  sweete  :  read  meete  (5.). 
[12]  I  Stanza  12  not  in  5. 

201 


JESUS,  MY  LOVING  SPOUSE 

Thou  alone  hast  my  hart 

in  all  extremitie, 
From  thee  lie  never  part, 

Jesu^  come  thou  to  mee. 

[13] 

Hauinge  thee,  tho  I  dye, 

I  Hue  most  ioyfullie  ; 
Wantinge  thee,  thoe  I  Hue, 

such  life  is  death  to  me  ; 
Thou  art  my  blisse,  my  ioy, 

my  soules  f  elicitie, 
Cheefe  succour  in  annoy, 

Jesu,  come  thou  to  me. 


For  thee  my  soule  was  made, 
nought  eles  contenteth  mee  ; 

All  earthlie  pleasures  fade, 
thou  Huest  eternallie  ; 

Strengthen  mee  with  thy  grace 
that  I  may  warthie  bee, 

In  heauen  to  see  thy  face. 
esU  come  thou  to  mee. 


[12]  5  Thou  alone  :  read  Alone  thou. 
[14]  8  and  burne  in  loue  of  thee  (5.). 


202 


.       31        • 

A  word  once  said,  Adam  was  made 

Addit.  MS.  15,225,  fols.  io-iov.  A  pleasant  little  ballad  summariz 
ing  the  life  of  Christ,  and  suggestive  of  early  Latin  hymns.  On  the 
title,  Verbum  caro,  see  The  Gude  find  Godlie  Ballatis,  1567  (ed.  A.  F. 
Mitchell,  1897,  p.  52),  and  P.  Wackernagel's  Das  deutsche  Kirchenlied, 
I.,  Nos.  264-266  et passim. 

ierbum  caro  factum  est  et  gabitauit  in  nobi0, 
ab  00  Dictum  e0t,  cretnte  rnanoo 
tobi0. 


A  word  once  said,  Adam  was  made, 

(the  truth  I  say  to  you), 
And  of  his  rib  a  woman's  seede — 

but  whoe  cann  tell  me  how  ? 


A  maiden  pure,  nothinge  more  sure 

(the  truth  I  say  to  you), 
Did  beare  a  Child,  she  vndefield, 

but  who  can  tell  mee  how  ? 


[3] 

This  Child  he  wrought  woonders  full  ofte 

(the  truth  I  say  to  you) : 
The  lame  did  walke,  the  dumbe  did  talke, 

but  whoe  cann  tell  mee  how  ? 

203 


A  WORD  ONCE  SAID,  ADAM  WAS  MADE 

W 

In  wildernesse  vpon  the  grasse 

(the  truth  I  say  to  you)  ; 
Fiue  loaues  of  bread  fiue  thousand  fed — 

but  whoe  cann  tell  me  how  ? 

[5]     • 

This  Child  hath  made  in  forme  of  bread 

(the  truth  I  say  to  you), 
His  bodie  and  blood  to  be  our  foode — 

but  whoe  can  tell  me  how  ? 

[6] 

This  Childe  did  dye  vpon  a  tree 

(the  truth  I  say  to  you), 
And  buried  then  did  ryse  againe — 

but  whoe  can  tell  me  how  ? 

[7] 

The  ston[e]  vnroul'd,  the  cloathes  vnfould 

(the  truth  I  say  to  you), 
He,  whole  and  sound,  rose  from  the  ground — 

but  whoe  cann  tell  mee  how  ? 

[8] 

Like  gardiner  he  did  appeare 

(the  truth  I  say  to  you), 
To  magdalene  with  spade  in  hand — 

but  whoe  cann  tell  me  how  ? 

[9] 

Vnto  Emaus  the  scripture  sais 
(the  truth  I  say  to  you), 

7]  i  cloathes  :  i.e.  cloths  =  the  shroud. 

9]  i  Emaus :  i.e.  Emmaus  (cf.  St.  Luke  xxiv.,  13). 

204 


A  WORD  ONCE  SAID,  ADAM  WAS  MADE 

With  Cleofhas  he  yeede,  in  Palmer's  weede, — 
but  whoe  cann  tell  me  bow  ? 

[10] 

Then  after  all  in  cloased  hal[l]e 

(the  truth  I  say  to  you), 
His  appostles  there  saw  him  appeare — 

but  whoe  cann  tell  me  how  ? 


He  made  an  end  and  did  assend 

(the  truth  1  say  to  you) 
To  his  farther  aboue,  whoe  did  him  loue,- 

but  whoe  cann  tell  me  how  ? 

[12] 

Beleeue  all  this  or  eles,  doubtlesse 

(the  truth  I  say  to  you), 
Hence  shall  you  goe  to  sorrow  and  woe, 

and  I  shall  tell  you  how. 

[13] 

At  the  last  day  this  Child  shall  say 

(the  truth  I  say  to  you), 
"  [Ye]a  cursed,  goe  to  endlesse  wooe." 

[W]0ft>  haue  I  tould  you  how. 


[9]    3  Cleophas  :  i.e.  Cleopas  (St.  Luke  xxiv.,  18). 
[13]  3  Yea  :  MS.  torn.     Read  ye. 


205 


Who  is  my  love  ?    I  shall  you  tell 

Addit.  MS.  15,225,  fol.  ii.  The  two  lines  of  the  heading  are 
bracketed  in  the  MS.  and  possibly  the  name  of  a  tune  was  written,  but 
the  margin  after  the  bracket  is  torn  away.  Stanza  I  is  written  as  two 
long  lines.  From  stanza  4  on,  the  refrain  is  written  as  an  extension  of 
the  third  line,  with  the  result  that  in  stanza  8  and  9  a  number  of  letters 
have  been  trimmed  off  by  the  binder. 

3]  loue  titme,  31  loue  jtfm,  ti)t  trutl)  for  to  say, 
31  purpo0e  to  loue  ftm,  ttl)[o]e  euer  sate  nap. 


Whoe  is  my  loue  ?     I  shall  you  tell  : 
Even  he  that  made  both  hea[ven]  and  hell, 
And  dyed  for  me  on  good  fry  day. 
I  purpose  to  loue  him  whoeuer  sals  na\y~\. 

M 

My  loue  hath  made  this  world  of  nought, 
All  thinges  therein  by  him  was  wrought, 
The  sunne  and  moone,  the  sooth  to  say. 
I  purpose  to  loue  him  whoe  ever  sais  nay. 

[3] 

He  made  the  sea,  alsoe  the  sand, 
The  grasse  to  gro[w]e  vpon  the  land, 
The  fish,  the  f  oule,  the  sooth  to  say. 
/  purpose  to  loue  him  whoe  ever  sais  nay. 

[i]  2  heaven  :  MS.  torn  ;  4  nay  :  y  cut  off  by  binder. 
206 


WHO  IS  MY  LOVE  ?   I  SHALL  YOU  TELL 

W 

He  hath  me  made  to  his  likenesse,  — 
Neither  in  bone  not  yet  in  flesh,  — 
But  in  soule,  the  sooth  to  say. 
7  purpose  to  loue,  &c. 

[5] 

He  doth  my  bodie  cloath  and  feede, 
It  lackes  nothinge  that  it  doth  neede, 
Meate  ney  drinke,  the  soth  to  say. 
/  purpose  to  loue,  i$c. 

[6] 

He  hath  set  about  my  soule 
Mercie  and  grace,  to  keepe  out  all 
My  ghostlie  enemyes  night  and  day. 
/  purpose  to,  &c. 


[7] 

Three  foes  I  haue  which  would  me  quell,  — 
The  world,  the  flesh,  the  devill  of  hell, 
But  all  three  stroakes  my  loue  doth  stay. 
I  purpose, 


[8] 

He  hath  bought  my  loue  full  deare, 

His  hart  was  cloven  with  a  speare, 

To  dye  for  me  he  tooke  the  paine. 

Alacke,  I  will  loue  him,  an[cf\  loue  him  aga[ini\. 

[5]  3  ney:  i.e.  ne  =  nor.  [7]  i  quell  =  kill. 

207 


WHO  IS  MY  LOVE  ?    I  SHALL  YOU  TELL 

[9] 

I  haue  not  lou'd  him  as  I  should  ; 

But  what  of  that  ?     I  will  be  bould 

To  aske  him  mercie  night  and  day — 

And  still  for  to  loue  him  whoe[ver~\  sais  na[y\. 

JTittt*. 


208 


33         '  We      .-. 

Walking  alone  not  long  agone 

Addit.  MS.  15,225,  fols.  i6v-iy.  Reprinted  from  this  MS.  in 
Collier's  Extracts  from  the  Stationers'  Registers,  L,  92  ff. 

The  ballad  was  registered  in  1564-65  by  John  Kyngeston  as  "a 
ballett  intituled  the  story  of  Jobe  the  faythfull  servaunte  of  God,-&c.," 
and  was  re-entered  a  few  days  later  by  William  Pekering  (Arber's 
Transcript,  I.,  260,  262).  It  was  transferred  on  December  14,  1624, 
as  "  Patient  Job."  Late  copies  of  the  ballad,  "  printed  for  F.  Coles, 
T.  Vere,  I.  Wright,  J.  Clarke,  W.  Thackeray  and  T.  Passenger  "  (on  the 
same  sheet  as  "  The  Shaking  of  the  Sheets,"  a  copy  of  which  is  also  in 
this  MS.,  fols.  15-16),  are  preserved  in  the  Pepysian  (L,  62),  Rawlinson 
(4to  Rawlinson,  566,  fol.  203),  and  Crawford  (Bibliotheca  Lindesiana,  A 
Catalogue  of  English  Ballads,  Nos.  202,  1239)  Collections.  The  title 
runs  : — 

"  A  Godly  Ballad  of  the  Just  Man  Job. 
Wherein  his  great  patience  he  doth  declare, 
His  plagues  and  his  miseries,  and  yet  did  not  despair. 

The  Tune  is,  The  Merchant." 

These  copies,  none  of  which  has  been  reprinted,  are  arranged  in  sixteen 
six-line  stanzas,  of  which  the  first  runs  : — 

Walking  all  alone, 
No  not  long  agone, 

I  heard  one  wail  and  weep ; 
Alas,  he  said, 
I  am  laid 
In  sorrow  strong  and  deep. 

In  the  MS.  the  ballad  is  written  in  eight  four-line  stanzas.  Complete 
collations  of  the  MS.  copy  and  the  Pepys  copy  are  given  in  the  foot 
notes.  On  the  whole,  the  MS.  has  the  better  readings.  Laurence 
Price  also  wrote  a  ballad  on  Job  :  "  Bee  Patient  in  Trouble.  To  the 
Tune  of  Bodkin's  Galliard"  reprinted  in  the  Roxburghe  Ballads,  III.,  174. 


209 


WALKING  ALONE  NOT  LONG  AGONE 


a  plea0ant  ballaD  of  tye  iust  man 
shearing  tits  patience  in  ertremitie. 


Walking  alone  not  long  agone, 

I  heard  one  weale  and  weep. 
"  Alas,"  he  said,  "  I  am  now  laid 

in  sorrowes  strong  and  deepe." 
To  heare  him  cry,  I  did  apply, 

and  priuilie  aboade  ; 
There  did  I  find,  in  secret  mind, 

the  rust  and  patient  Jobe. 


His  woofull  paine  did  me  constraine 

by  foarce  to  waile  and  mone  ; 
God  did  him  proue  how  he  did  loue 

his  liueing  lord  alone. 
In  heauinesse  he  did  expresse 

these  words,  with  bitter  tears  : 
"  Alas,  poore  man  !  wretched  I  am, 

in  care  my  life  out-weares. 


[3] 

"  This  mortal!  life  is  but  a  strife 
and  battell  mightie  and  stronge  ; 

My  yeares,  also,  doe  wast  and  goe 
and  not  continue  longe. 

[i]  1-4  cf.  the  stanza  quoted  in  the  introduction. 

[2]  8  life  :  self  (P.). 

[3]  2  mightie  :   great  (P.)  ;  3  doe  :  to  (P.). 

2IO 


WALKING  ALONE  NOT  LONG  AGONE 

The  time  wherin  I  did  begine 
to  mooue  and  stir  my  breath, 

Would  god  I  had  to  earth  beene  made 
and  turned  vnto  death  ! 

w 

"  Then  should  not  I  in  miserie 

beene  wrapped  as  I  am  ; 
The  time  and  day  well  curse  I  may 

when  into  this  world  I  cam[e]. 
For  my  faults  past  I  am  out  cast, 

and  of  all  men  abhorde ; 
O  that  I  might  once  stand  in  sight 

to  reason  with  my  lord  ! 

[5] 

"  Then  should  I  know  why  he  did  show 

this  extreame  crueltie 
Vpon  such  flesh  that  is  but  nesh, 

and  borne  is  for  to  dye. 
From  top  to  toe  I  feele  such  wooe 

that  sorrow  is  my  meate  ; 
Put  to  exile  with  botch  and  byle 

the  dunghill  is  my  seate. 

|-"'  [6] 

"  My  kinsfolke  walke,  and  by  me  talke, 

much  wonderinge  at  my  faule  ; 
They  count  my  state  vnfortunate, 

and  thus  forsake  me  all. 

[3]  5  time  :  day  (P.)  ;  7  to  earth  beene  :  an  exchange  (P.). 

[4]  I  Then  :  So  (P.)  ;  2  beene  :  be  (P.)  ;  4  into  :  to  (P.)  ;  8  my  : 
the  (P.). 

[5]  I  Then  .  .  .  I  :  I  should  then  (P.)  ;  did  :  doth  (P.)  ;  3  such  : 
his  (P.)  ;  nesh  :  grass  (P.)  :  5  such  :  with  (P.)  ;  8  the  :  and  (P.). 

[6]  i  walke,  talke :  talk,  walk  (P.)  ;  2  much  :  not  in  P. ;  4  thus  :  so  (P.). 

211 


WALKING  ALONE  NOT  LONG  AGONE 

My  children  fiue  that  were  aliue, 

they  be  all  cleane  distroy'd  ; 
The  like  plague  fell  on  my  cattell, 

and  all  that  I  inioy'd. 

[7] 

"  Should  I  for  them  my  god  blaspheme, 

and  his  good  giftes  dispise  ? 
That  will  I  not,  but  take  my  lot,     • 

giuing  his  name  the  praise. 
They  were  not  mine  but  for  a  time, 

I  know  well  it  is  soe  ; 
God  gaue  them  me,  why  should  not  he 

againe  take  them  meiroe  ?  " 

[8]  1 

When  he  thus  had  said,  full  still  I  staid 

his  end  for  to  behould. 
There  did  I  see  his  felicitie 

encreasing  maniefould. 
I  know  well  then  that  patient  men 

should  not  suffer  in  vaine, 
But  should  be  sure  t'  haue  great  pleasure 

rewarded  for  their  paine. 

JFini*. 

[6]  5  that :  which  (P.)  ;  6  cleane  :  quite  (P.)  ;  7  like  :  P.  omits  ; 
plague  :  MS.  plaug  ;  8  and  :  with  (P.). 

[8]  i  When  .  .  .  said  :  Thus  having  said  (P.)  ;  3  There  ...  see  :  I 
there  did  see  (P.)  ;  5  that  :  how  (P.)  ;  7  should  :  shall  (P.)  ;  great  i 
P.  omits. 


212 


34 

To  pass  the  place  where  pleasure  is 

Addit.  MS.  15,225,  fols.  I7v-i8.  Printed  from  this  MS.  in  Collier's 
Extracts  from  the  Stationers'  Registers,  I.,  48-50.  The  ballad  was  regis 
tered  for  publication  under  the  title  of  "  to  passe  the  place,  &c.,"  in 
1561-62,  and  under  the  title  of  "to  passe  the  place  where  pleasure  ys, 
&c.,"  in  1564-65  (Arber's  Transcript,  I.,  179,  265).  The  latter  regis 
tration  was  made  by  Thomas  Colwell,  who  obviously  printed  the  ballad 
on  the  same  sheet  as  "  I  might  have  lived  merrily,"  a  copy  of  which 
follows  in  this  MS.  and  is  the  next  ballad  in  this  volume.  The  ballad 
appears  to  be  a  moralization  of  a  popular  song. 


To  passe  the  place  where  pleasure  is, 

it  ought  to  please  our  fantasie  ; 
If  that  the  pleasure  be  amis 

and  to  godes  word  plaine  contrarie  ; 
or  eles  we  sinne,  we  sinne, 
and  hell  we  winne,  — 
great  paine  there-in, 
all  remedie  gone 

except  in  Christ  alone,  alone. 


.. 
The  Hues  that  we  long  liued  haue 

in  wantonnesse  and  iolitie, 
Although  the[y]  seeme  and  show  full  braue, 
yet  is  their  end  plaine  miserie. 
Let  vs  therefore,  therefore, 
now  sinne  noe  more, 
but  learne  this  lore  : 
all  remedie  gone 

except  in  Christ  alone,  [alone]. 

213 


TO  PASS  THE  PLACE  WHERE  PLEASURE  IS 

[3] 

And  say  we  then,  with  Salomon, 

that  bewtie  is  but  vanitie, 
Yet  they  that  feare  the  lord  alone 
shall  sure  enioy  felicitie. 
For  this  may  wee,  may  we, 
perceiue  and  see 
most  true  to  be  : 
all  remedie  gone 

except  in  Christ  alone,  alone. 


w 

Our  perfett  trust  and  confidence 
must  fixed  be  on  Christ  onelie, 
Serueinge  our  lord  with  pure  pretence, 
and  shunning  all  hipocrisie, — 
which  might  vs  draw,  vs  draw, 
from  godes  true  law, 
marke  well  this  saw  : 
all  remedie  gone 

except  in  Christ  alone,  alone. 


[5] 

If  godes  true  word,  by  preaching  plaine, 

might  anie  wise  vs  certiefie, 
We  should  not,  then,  soe  blind  remaine, 
but  should  imbrace  the  verietie  ; 
for  why  ? — the  word,  the  word, 
of  god  our  lord 
doth  well  record, 
all  remedie  gone 

except  in  Christ  alone,  alone. 

[3]  i  Salomon  :  i.e.  Solomon.     Cf.  Proverbs  xxxi.,  30. 
[4]  i  perfett  :  i.e.  perfect. 

214 


TO  PASS  THE  PLACE  WHERE  PLEASURE  IS 

[6] 

Our  faithfull  frendes,  the  pastors  pure, 

doe  giue  vs  councell,  certainlie, 
From  wickednesse,  for  to  be  sure, 
to  leaue  our  fooleish  fantasie, — • 
which  is  the  springe,  the  spring, 
that  doth  vs  bring 
to  eich  ill  thing  : 
all  remedie  gone 

except  in  Christ  alone,  alone. 

[7] 

What  wisdome  haue  our  wicked  wittes 

to  worke  all  thinges  vntowardlie  ; 
What  reason  rest es  in  such  fond  fittes 
to  cause  things  chance  so  frowardlie  ? 
Therefore  betime,  betime, 
leaue  we  our  crime 
and  learne  this  rime  : 
all  remedie  gone 

except  in  Christ  alone,  alone. 

JFtnt'0, 

[6]  9  The  word/ff/V  follows  this  line  in  the  MS. 


215 


35 

/  might  have  lived  merrily 

Addit.  MS.  15,225,  fols.  i8-i8v.  Text  arranged  in  four-line  stanzas. 
The  ballad  was  entered  in  the  Stationers'  Registers  in  the  year  1564-65 
(Arber's  Transcript,  I.,  265)  thus  :  — 

T.  Colwell  Receaved  of  thomas  Colwell  for  his  lycense  for 
pryntinge  of  ij  balletes  the  one  intituled  to  posse  the 
place  -where  pleasure  ys  <tv/and  the  Other  /  myghte  have 
leved  meryly  morralysed  .  .  .  .  .  iiijd 

From  the  license  fee  of  fourpence  it  is  evident  that  Colwell  printed  the 
two  ballads  on  a  single  broadside.  As  a  copy  of  "To  pass  the  place" 
occurs  in  the  MS.  just  before  this  ballad  (see  No.  34),  it  is  very  probable 
that  the  compiler  of  the  MS.  took  the  two  ballads  from  Colwell's,  or  a 
later,  single  sheet. 


I  might  haue  liued  merelie 

If  I  had  sinned  never  ; 
But  now,  forsooth  and  verelie, 

condemp'd  I  am  for  ever, 
Except  I  turne  right  towardlie 

to  god  with  hart  and  glee, 
And  leaue  my  sinninge  frowardlie, 

and  true  repentant  bee  ! 

w 

I  haue  beene  alwais  necligent 
to  doe  the  best  I  canne, 

My  sinnes  they  are  most  evident 
both  vnto  god  and  man  ; 

[l]  i  liued  merelie  :  read  liv'd  merrily. 
216 


I  MIGHT  HAVE  LIVED  MERRILY 

And  if  my  sinning  wickedlie 
doe  happen  to  my  thrall, 

Then  let  me  know  assuredlie, 
I  might  haue  with  all. 

[3] 

For  where  my  god  of  gentlenes 

doth  offer  loue  soe  kind, 
Loe  I  that  in  my  stubburnnesse 

fulfill  my  sinfull  mynd, 
His  grace  and  eake  his  godlines, 

his  mercie  kept  in  store, 
But  onelie  for  my  frowardnes 

were  myne  for  euermore. 

w 

I  offered  once  a  reminent 

to  god  of  godlie  life, 
But  yet  alas !  incontinent 

I  fell  to  sinne  and  strife  ; 
Which  makes  me  thinke  most  suerlie, 

construinge  in  my  braines, 
My  god  I  serue  not  puerlie, 

I  looke  for  other  gainefs]. 

[s] 

But  though  that  I  most  wickedlie 

my  lord  god  haue  offended, 
Yet  doe  I  hope  most  stidfastlie 

my  faultes  shall  be  amended  ; 
And  heere  repenting  puerlie 

my  former  necligence, 
I  know  my  lord  god  suerlie 

will  pardon  my  offence. 


[3]  3>  4  Written  in  two  lines  in  the  MS. 
blurred. 

217 


The  word  Loe  is  badly 


I  MIGHT  HAVE  LIVED  MERRILY 

[6] 

So  Sathan  shall  not  higgle  me 

for  all  his  craftie  wiles, 
But  I  will  stretch  and  struggle  me 

for  to  withstand  his  guiles  ; 
And  will  display  his  dubbleing 

by  help  of  god  most  highest, 
And  be  free  from  his  troubleing 

through  faith  and  hope  in  Christ. 


[6]  6  highest  :  read  highest. 


218 


36 

Old  Toby  called  his  loving  son 

Addit.  MS.  15,225,  fols.  19-20. 

"  A  pleasant  new  Ballad  of  Tobias,  wherein  is  shewed  the  wonderfull 
things  which  chanced  to  him  in  his  youth  :  and  how  he  wedded  a 
young  Damsell  that  had  had  seven  husbands  and  never  enioyed  their 
company  :  who  were  all  slaine  by  a  wicked  spirit,"  beginning 

In  Ninivie  old  Toby  dwelt, 

occurs  in  most  of  the  great  ballad  collections,  and  is  reprinted  in  A 
Collection  of  Old  Ballads,  1723,  II.,  158,  and  in  the  Roxburghe  Ballads, 
II.,  621.  Registered  at  Stationers'  Hall  on  December  14,  1624  (as  a 
transfer),  and  on  March  I,  1675,  it  summarizes  the  first  eleven  chapters 
of  the  Apocryphal  Book  of  Tobit.  The  ballad  printed  below  is  decidedly 
interesting  because  it  is  a  sequel,  apparently  unique,  to  the  "  Ballad  of 
Tobias,"  dealing  solely  with  the  concluding  (the  twelfth)  chapter  of 
Tobit.  It  was,  I  think,  the  "godly  ballet  taken  out  of  ye  iiijth 
[  =  xijth  ?]  chapeter  of  Tobeas  "  which  was  licensed  for  publication  in 
1568-69  (Arber's  Transcript,  I.,  378). 

The  fish  mentioned  by  young  Toby  in  stanza  4  is  dealt  with  in  the 
Book  of  Tobit,  vi.,  2,  —  "  a  fish  leaped  out  of  the  river,  and  would  have 
devoured  him,"  —  but  has  a  far  from  formidable  appearance  in  the  wood 
cuts  that  accompany  the  printed  ballads.  "The  error  of  our  days" 
(stanza  1  7)  is  possibly  Protestantism,  though  only  a  general  reference  to 
sin  may  have  been  intended. 


Ould  Tobie  calde  his  lovinge  sonne 
and  eike  that  faire  and  loulie  bryde  ; 

Quoth  hee,  "  my  will,  Iwis,  we  are 
to  recompence  this  carefull  guyde." 

[2] 

Younge  Tobie  said,  "  my  father  deere," 
with  Joyfull  moode  and  merry  glee, 

[l]  2  loulie  :  i.e.  lovely  ;  bryde  :  i.e.  Sara. 

219 


OLD  TOBY  CALLED  HIS  LOVING  SON 

"  Nothinge  of  woorth  wee  haue,  I  feare, 
To  recompence  his  loue  to  mee. 

[3] 

"  He  brought  me  foarthe  and  backe  agayne, 
both  safe  and  sounde,  as  you  haue  scene  ; 

He  kept  me  that  I  was  not  slayne, 
or  now  at  home  I  had  not  beene. 

w          ;       ; 

"  Hee  causde  Gabella  pay  the  debte, 
and  droue  the  spiritt  frome  my  wife. 

A  happie  Day  when  I  hime  mete, 
or  eles  the  fishe  had  had  my  life  ! 

[5] 

"  Your  selfe  was  blind  and  coulde  not  see, 

which  caused  sorrow  to  vs  all ; 
By  him,  the  brightnesse  of  the  skye 

you  doe  behould,  which  is  not  smale. 

[6] 

"  Wee  were  in  want  and  verie  poore, 

now  riche  as  cressus  at  this  tyde  ; 
Then  render  thankes  to  him  therefore, 

and  giue  him  halfe  we  haue  besyde." 

[7]  ; 

They  cal'd  the  angell  then  apart, 
and  humblie  offered  halfe  the[y]  had. 

He  thanked  them  with  all  his  hart. 

"  Praise  god,"  he  said,  "  and  eike  be  gladde  ; 

[4]  I  Gabella  :  i.e.  Gabael ;  3  mete  :  read  met. 
[5]  i  not  :  MS.  non. 
[6]  cressus  :  i.e.  Croesus. 

22O 


OLD  TOBY  CALLED  HIS  LOVING  SON 

[8] 
"  Our  lord  this  favour  hath  you  donne 

for  prayer  good,  with  holie  fast, 
And  good  almes-deedes  which  non[e]  should  shunne, 

noe  gould  doth  Equall  them  at  last. 

[9]          ; 

"  The  truth  I  doe  intende  to  tell, 

and  eake  my  counsell  to  vnfould  : 
Thy  workes  of  mercie  helpe  thee  well, 

from  Deathe  and  sinne  they  doe  thee  hould. 

[10] 

"  When  thou  in  prayer  did  daylie  sitte, 

and  tricklinge  teares  runne  downe  thy  face  ; 

When  thou  at  dinner  eate  noe  bitt, 
then  was  I  ever  still  in  place. 


"  When  thou  tooke  vp  the  corpse  of  those 

which  lay  for  want  of  buriall  ; 
When  thou  would  such  good  deedes  inclose, 

for  thee  I  did  both  cry  and  call. 

[12] 

"  When  thou  did  breake  thy  sleepe  by  night 

to  doe  such  deedes  of  Charitie, 
I  offered  vp  thy  prayers  aright 

to  god  in  Throwne  of  Maiestie  ; 

[13] 

"  Whoe  hath  rewarded  all  thy  deedes 
and  sent  me  to  doe  all  I  haue. 

[10]  3  eate  :  read  ate. 
221 


OLD  TOBY  CALLED  HIS  LOVING  SON 

The  man  is  blest  which  soe  proceedes, 
and  hath  a  care  his  soule  to  saue. 

C'4] 

"  I  am  the  Angell  of  our  lord, 

Raphaell  am  I  calPd  by  name, 
One  of  the  seven  which  accorde 
to  stand  and  waite  from  whence  I  came." 

[15] 

The[y]  were  amazed  at  his  speeche, 
and  grou[e]linge  fell  vpon  the  ground. 

But  then  affrighted,  with  his  speach 

they  Joyfull  rose,  out  of  their  s[w]oound. 

[16] 

With  wordes  of  praise  the  Angell  bright 

assended  hath  the  Airie  skyes. 
In  prayer  and  Joy  they  spent  the  night, 

and  pra[i]s'd  our  lord  in  humble  wise. 


[17] 

To  god  be  honour,  laude,  and  prayse  ; 

to  Angelles  Eake  be  reverend  due. 
God  mend  the  error  of  our  dayse, 

and  holie  customes  soone  renue  ! 

pint's, 

[17]  2  reverend  :  read  reverence. 


222 


37 

The  thoughts  of  man  do  daily 
change 

Addit.  MS.  1  5,225,  fol.  38.  This  beautiful  little  ballad  is  very  much 
earlier  than  the  only  printed  copy  I  have  found  ;  namely,  that  in  John 
Forbes's  Cantus,  Songs  and  Fancies  (2nd  ed.,  1666,  song  VII.).  All  the 
important  variations  between  the  MS.  and  Forbes's  version  (F.)  are  given 
in  the  foot-notes,  from  which  it  will  be  seen  that  the  two  are  very 
different.  Furthermore,  there  are  two  additional  stanzas  in  the  Cantus 
(here  printed),  while  there  also  stanza  4  of  the  MS.  precedes  stanza  3. 
The  last  two  lines  of  stanza  3  of  the  MS.  and  stanza  6  of  F.  are  identical  : 
probably  stanzas  5  and  6  are  a  later  edition  to  the  original  ballad,  these 
two  lines  being  transferred  to  the  sixth  stanza  to  make  a  fitting  conclusion. 

Ballads  and  songs  on  the  scarcity  or  falsity  of  true  friends  were  written 
out  of  number  by  Elizabethans.  See,  for  example,  TottePs  Miscellany, 
ed.  Arber,  p.  no  ;  Collier's  reprints  of  the  Paradise  of  Dainty  Devises, 
pp.  10,  59,  105,  128,  and  A  Gorgeous  Gallery  of  Gallant  Inventions,  pp.  85, 
1  24.  Among  the  ballads  registered  were  "  the  Dyscryption  of  a  tru 
frynde,  &c.,"  in  1563-64,  "shewyng  how  a  man  shall  knowe  his  frynde 
and  What  fryndshippe  ys,  &c.,"  in  1  565-66,  "  the  treasure  of  frynshippe  " 
in  1569-70,  and  "howe  hard  it  is  a  faithfull  frend  to  find"  on  August 
i,  1586  (Arber's  Transcript,  I.,  237,  305,  417  ;  II.,  450).  Some  of 
these  entries  seem  applicable  to  this  ballad. 


The  thoughtes  of  man  doe  daylie  change, 
as  fancie  growes  within  their  brestes  ; 

For  now  their  nature  is  soe  strange, 
a  few  can  finde  where  frenshippe  restes. 

The  hautie  hart  soe  plentie  growes 

That  everie  weede  doth  seeme  a  rose. 

[i]  i  man  :  read  men  (F.}  ;  2  fancie  growes  :  fantasie  breeds  (F.)  ; 
4  a  :  that  (F.)  :  5,  6  For  double  dealing  bears  such  sway,/That  honest 
meaning  doth  decay  (F.). 

223 


THE  THOUGHTS  OF  MAN  DO  DAILY  CHANGE 

03 

The  stidfast  faith  that  frendes  professe 

is  fled  a-way,  and  little  vs'd. 
Whoe  hath  soe  sure  a  frend  possest 

by  whome  he  never  was  abus'd  ? 
But  where  thou  findst  a  frend  indeed, 
A  score  there  be  faile  at  neede. 

[3]  .  ':        ! 

A  frend  in  wordes,  where  deedes  be  dead, 

is  like  a  well  that  water  wantes ; 
And  he  that  with  faire  wordes  is  fead, 

doth  looke  for  fruit es  of  withered  plant es. 
But  there  as  wordes  and  deedes  agree, 
Accept  that  frend,  and  credit  mee. 

w 

The  barren  tree  doth  blossomes  beare 
as  well  as  those  that  good  fruites  yeald  ; 

And  boughes  and  branches  beene  soe  faire, 
as  any  tree  within  the  feild  : 

As  simply  lookes  the  subtill  man 

As  he  that  of  noe  falshood  can. 

[5] 

[The  fairest  way  that  I  can  find, 

Is  first  to  try,  and  then  to  trust ; 
So  shal  affections  not  be  blind  : 

For  proof  will  soon  spy  out  the  just  : 
And  tryal  knows  who  means  deceit, 
And  bids  us  be-ware  of  their  bait. 

[2]  i  professe  :  profest  (F.}  ;  2  a-way  :  from  them  (F.)  ;  3  He  who 
a  faithful  friend  profest  (F.)  ;  4  Doth  make  his  friendship  now  abus'd 
(F.)  ;  5  But .  .  .  findst  :  Where  one  is  found  (F.)  ;  6  be  :  read  be  that  (F.). 

[3]  2  well  :  spring  (F.)  ;  4  looke  :  hope  (F.)  :  5,  6  But  who  can  judge 
by  hew  of  eye,/Since  deeds  are  dead,  where  truth  should  be  (F.). 

[4]  i  For  barren  trees  will  bloom  right  fair  (F.)  ;  2  good  fruits :  fruit 
will  (F.)  ;  3  Whose  bark  and  branches  seems  as  fair  (F.)  ;  5  simply  : 
simple  (F.)  ;  6  of  no  :  no  kind  (F.). 

[5]  i  Stanzas  5  and  6  occur  only  in  F. 

224 


THE  THOUGHTS  OF  MAN  DO  DAILY  CHANGE 

[6] 
Without  good  proof  be  not  too  bold, 

If  thou  my  counsel  list  to  take  : 
In  painting  words  there  is  no  hold, 

They  be  but  leaves  that  wind  do  shake  : 
But  where  that  words  and  deeds  agree, 
Accept  that  friend,  and  credit  me.] 


Jftms. 


225 


Seek  wisdom  chiefly  to  obtain 

Addit.  MS.  15,225,  fols.  38^39.  This  ballad  is  a  sort  of  Foot 
Richard's  Almanac  that  must  have  delighted  the  pious  Catholic  who 
compiled  the  MS.  :  seek  wisdom,  it  advises  ;  waste  not,  shun  borrowing, 
value  true  friends,  avoid  drink  and  dice,  lose  no  time,  envy  not  thy 
neighbour  —  good  advice  expressed  in  a  pithy  line  or  two,  every  item  of 
which  was  both  before  and  after  the  date  of  this  MS.  fully  emphasized 
in  separate  ballads. 


Seeke  wisdome  cheefly  to  obteine, 
delight  not  much  in  worldlie  gaine, 

For  riches  bringes  men's  soules  in  thrall, 
but  wisdome  suffereth  non[e]  to  fale. 

Much  better  is  the  wise  man  poore 

then  welthie  churles  with  all  their  store. 


Wast[e]  thou  noe  more  then  thou  hast  got  ; 

if  thou  dost  want,  yet  borrowe  not  ; 
Thoughe  coyne  be  sweete  when  thou  dost  borrowe, 

yet  wilt  thou  pay  it  home  with  sorrowe. 
Better  it  were  thy  bodie  pyne, 

then  borrowed  goodes  should  make  thee  fine. 

[3]  . 

Doe  not  aquynt  thy  selfe  with  stelth, 

thou  knowest  it  bringes  a  shameifull  death, 

Though  it  at  first  haue  pleasant  tast, 
yet  it  is  bitter  at  the  last. 

[3]  I  aquynt  :  i.e.  acquaint. 
226 


SEEK  WISDOM  CHIEFLY  TO  OBTAIN 

Better  thou  were  thy  mouth  withdrawe, 
then  such  vnsavorie  meate  to  gnawe. 

w 

If  thou  haue  smale  to  keepe  thy  state, 
doe  not  dispaire  of  this  thy  fate  ; 

But  giue  god  thankes  for  that  thou  hast, 
and  of  thy  little  make  noe  wast. 

For  better  is  little  with  quyet  life 

then  store  of  gould  with  wooe  and  strife. 


If  thou  doest  find  a  frend  at  neede, 
him  to  requyte  see  thou  make  speede  ; 

Of  all  thinges  this  remember  still, 
be  not  vnthankefull  for  good  will. 

For  better  is  one  frend  in  thy  scant 

then  thousandes  when  thou  hast  noe  want. 


[6] 

An  honest  conscience  is  a  treasure  ; 

in  drinke  be  sure  thou  keepe  a  measure  ; 
To  dice  and  Gardes  make  thou  noe  hast  ; 

of  all  thinges  see  thou  keepe  thee  chast. 
For  lust  makes  purse  and  bodies  bare, 

and  throwes  the  soule  downe  to  dispaire. 

[7] 

In  youth  remember  to  take  paine, 
be  sure  thou  spend  noe  time  in  vaine  ; 

Remember  time  will  not  come  backe, 
when  time  requeeres,  then,  be  not  slacke. 

.For  losse  of  goodes  may  greeue  thee  sore, 
but  losse  of  time  will  greeue  thee  more. 

[5]  I  doest :  read  dost. 
227 


SEEK  WISDOM  CHIEFLY  TO  OBTAIN 


Search  not  in  other  men  too  neare, 
first  see  that  thou  thy  selfe  bee  cleare  ; 

For  he  that  seekes  an  other's  spite, 
in  others'  harmes  oft  takes  delight. 

Whoe  soe  ioyes  to  see  his  neightbour's  thrall 
is  soonest  like  him  selfe  to  fale. 

;ftm0. 

[8]  5  Omit  soe. 


228 


39 

O  man  that  runneth  here  thy  race 

Addit.  MS.  1  5,225,  fols.  43V-44V.  This  ballad  obviously  was  printed 
in  two  parts,  the  second  part  beginning  with  stanza  6,  where  the  refrain 
changes  ;  but  the  copyist  numbered  the  stanzas  consecutively  from 
beginning  to  end,  although  the  numbers  of  stanzas  1-7  have  been 
trimmed  from  the  leaves  by  the  binder. 

Stanzas  6-  1  1  are  printed  as  a  separate  poem,  called  "  Remember  thy 
ende,"  in  the  Paradise  of  Dainty  Devises,  1578  (Collier's  reprint,  pp.  34- 
35),  where  it  is  signed  D.  S.  The  identification,  sometimes  proposed, 
of  D.  S[ands]  with  Dr.  (Edward)  Sandys,  Archbishop  of  York,  is  very 
doubtful.  The  six  stanzas  in  the  Paradise  differ  considerably  from  those 
in  ,the  MS.,  not  only  in  their  order  but  in  phrasing  :  they  are  arranged 
thus  —  8,9,  6,  7,  10,  ii.  Collations  with  Collier's  reprint  (P.)  are 
given  in  the  notes. 

There  is  nothing  noteworthy  about  this  ballad  :  many  similar  ballads 
are  extant  ;  e.g.  a  ballad  in  John  Forbes'  s  Cantus  (Song  VIII.)  with  the 
refrain  "  A  Conscience  clear  is  worth  a  world  of  treasure  "  —  correspond 
ing  to  stanzas  1-5  —  and  a  ballad  "To  the  toune  of  The  raire  and  greatest 
gift"  in  MS.  Cotton  Vesp.  A.  XXV.  (ed.  Boeddeker,  Jahrbuch  ftir 
romanische  und  englische  sprache,  N.F.,  II.,  326),  with  the  refrain, 

Yet  hap  what  hap,  fall  what  may  fall, 
A  lyffe  content  excedethe  all,  — 

corresponding  to  stanzas  6-1  1. 

For  the  title  and  the  date  of  registration  see  Appendix  II. 

[a  Cable  of  ®ooO  Counsel] 


., 

O  man  that  runneth   heere  thy  race 
in  worldlie  wealth,  yet  rapt  in  wooe, 

Provide  betime,  while  thou  hast  space, 
the  ioyfull  way  and  path  to  goe. 

Though  life  and  liveinge  thou  refuse, 
Let  never  conscience  thee  accuse. 

[i]  2  rapt  :  i.e.  wrapped. 

229 


O  MAN  THAT  RUNNETH  HERE  THY  RACE 

W 

Thy  time  is  short,  thy  daies  but  fewe, 

this  life  is  but  a  miserie  ; 
And  marke  what  after  will  ensue, 

if  thou  Hue  in  iniquitie. 
Though  life  and  liuinge  thou  refuse, 

Let  [never  conscience  thee~\  accuse. 


[3] 

Although  the  world  doe  thee  disdaine, 
and  feined  frendes  vpon  thee  lower, 

Yet  if  thou  thinke  to  obtaine  the  sweete, 
first  thou  must  tast  heere  of  the  sower. 

Though  life  and  liuinge  thou  refuse, 
Let  neuer  conscience  thee  accuse. 


w 

For  in  this  life  nought  canst  thou  gaine, 
which  to  thy  soule  may  comfort  bee, 

Except  that  meeklie  thou  sustaine 
such  troubles  as  shall  happe  to  thee. 

Though  life  and  liuinge  thou  refuse. 
Let  neuer  conscience  thee  accuse. 


[5] 

Therefore,  in  time  the  world  reiect, 
account  these  pleasures  all  but  vaine, 

That  thou  maist  be  of  godes  elect, 
in  heauenlie  blisse  with  him  to  raigne. 

Though  life  and  liueinge  thou  refuse, 
Let  neuer  conscience  thee  accuse. 

[2]  6  Binder  has  cut  off  three  words  in  this  line. 
230 


O  MAN  THAT  RUNNETH  HERE  THY  RACE 


aecont)  part] 


[6] 

The  happie  life,  in  these  our  daies, 

that  all  doe  seeke,  boath  small  and  great, 

Is  all  for  gaine,  or  eles  for  praise, 
or  whoe  may  sit  highest  in  seat. 

But  in  this  life  happe  what  happe  shall, 
the  happie  end  exceedeth  all. 


[7] 

A  good  beginninge  oft  we  see, 

but  seeldome  stand  the[y]  at  one  stay, 
For  they  doe  like  the  meane  degree 

then  praise  at  partinge,  some  men  say. 
The  thinge  where  each  wight  is  in  thrall, 

the  happie  end  exceedeth  all. 


[8] 

To  be  as  wise  as  Cato  was, 

or  riche  as  Cressus  in  his  life, 
To  haue  the  strength  of  Hercules, 

whoe  did  subdue  by  foarce  of  strife, — 
What  helpeth  it  when  death  doth  call  ? 

The  happie  end  exceedeth  all. 

[6]  I  happie  life  :  happiest  end  (P.)  ;  3  Is  ...  gaine  :  Is  eyether  for 
Fame  (P.)  ;  4  highest  in  seate  :  in  highest  seate  (P.)  ;  5  in  this  life  of 
these  thinges  (P.). 

[7]  2  stand  they  :  standing  (P.)  ;  3  they  :  few  (P.)  ;  5  The  thinges 
wherto  each  wight  is  thrall  (P.). 

[8]  2  Cressus :  i.e.  Croesus ;  4  whoe,  of :  which,  or  (P.). 

231 


O  MAN  THAT  RUNNETH  HERE  THY  RACE 

[9] 
The  rich  may  well  the  poore  releeue, 

the  rulers  may  redresse  each  wronge, 
The  learned  may  good  councell  giue, 

but  marke  the  end  of  this  my  songe,  — 
Whoe  doe  this  may  the[y]  happie  call, 

the  happie  end  exceedeth  all. 


The  meane  estate,  the  quiet  life, 

which  liueth  vnder  gouernment, 
Which  mooues  noe  hate  nor  breedes  noe  strife, 

but  takes  in  worth  his  happie  chance,  — 
If  contentation  him  befall, 

the  happie  end  exceedeth  all. 


The  longer  life  that  we  desire, 
the  more  offence  doth  dailie  groe  ; 

The  greatter  paine  it  doth  requeere, 
except  the  Judge  some  mercie  showe. 

Wherefore  I  thinke,  and  euer  shall, 
the  happie  end  exceedeth  all. 


[9]  5  Who  doth  these  thinges,  happy  they  call  (P.)  ;  6  the  :  their  (P.). 
[10]  2  gouernment:   gouernance   (/*.);    3    mooues:   seeks  (P.);   6 
the  :  his  (P.). 


232 


40  :      If 

From  sluggish  sleep  and  slumber 

Addit.  MS.  1  5,225,  fols.  45v-47«  The  only  other  copy  of  this  ballad 
now  known  is  that  printed  from  a  manuscript  in  l\itj>kirJ>Mrn  Ballads 
(pp.  182-185).  The  Shirburn  copy  (S.)  has  an  additional  stanza  (after 
stanza  6)  not  found  in  this  MS.,  and  was  made  from  an  earlier  broadside 
that  concluded  with  a  prayer  for  Queen  Elizabeth.  This  ballad  ends 
with  a  prayer  for  James  I.  The  most  important  variations  between  the 
two  versions  are  given  in  the  foot-notes.  Two  stanzas  of  the  ballad 
from  this  MS.  are  printed  in  Collier's  Extracts  from  the  Stationers'  Registers, 
I.,  229.  In  subject-matter  it  is  a  loose  paraphrase  of  St.  Matthew  xxii.,xxiv. 

Perhaps  this  was  the  ballad  of  "  Awake  out  of  your  slumbre  "  which 
was  registered  for  publication  in  1568-69:  it  was  certainly  "the  bell 
mannes  good  morrowe  "  and  "  From  sluggish  sleepe  "  that  were  licensed 
on  November  21,  1580,  and  December  14,  1624,  respectively.  The 
tune,  Awake,  Awake,  O  England  !  (equivalent  to  O  man  in  desperation), 
comes  from  the  first  line  of  "  A  Bell-man  for  England  "  (Shirburn 
Ballads,  p.  36  ;  Roxburgbe  Ballads,  IV.,  467),  which  appears  in  the 
Stationers'  Registers  for  the  first  time  on  December  6,  1586. 


bellmanes  gooiimorrauje, 

To  the  Tune  of  awake,  awake,  o  England. 


• 

From  sluggishe  sleepe  and  slumber, 

good  Christians,  all  aryse. 
For  Christ  his  sake,  I  pray  you, 

lift  vp  your  drowsie  eies. 
The  night  of  shame  and  sorrow 

is  partinge  cleane  away,  — 
God  giue  you  all  good  morrowe, 

and  send  you  happie  day. 

[  i  ]    2    aryse  :    substituted  in  a   later  band  for  awake  ;    6   partinge  : 
parted  (S.). 

233 


FROM  SLUGGISH  SLEEP  AND  SLUMBER 

.[2]  I 

The  King  of  glorie  greeteth  you, 

desyreinge  you  to  come 
Vnto  the  mariage  banquet 

of  his  beloued  sonne. 
Then  shake  of[f]  shame  and  sorrowe, 

put  on  your  best  array, — 
God  giue  you  all  good  morrowe, 

'and  send  you  happie  day. 

[3]  '  1 

From  all  the  rage  of  wickednesse 

looke  that  you  strip  you  quite  ; 
In  garmentes  of  true  godlinesse 

see  that  your  selues  be  decte. 
Shake  of[f]  all  shame  and  sorrowe 

which  doth  your  soules  distroy, — 
God  giue  you  all  good  morrowe, 

and  send  you  happie  day. 

w  -f 

And  ryse  not  to  revenge  thee 

of  any  trespas  past ; 
Thou  knowest  not  of  a  certaintie 

how  longe  thy  life  will  last. 
Seeke  not  thy  neightbour's  sorrow 

in  any  kind  of  way, — 
God  giue  you  all  good  morrow, 

and  send  you  bappie  day. 

[5] 

Forgiue  thy  brother  irendlie, 
for  Christ  doth  will  thee  soe  ; 

[2]  7  Refrain  here  and  later  written  in  one  long  line  in  the  MS. 
[3]  I  rage  :  read  rags  (5.)  ;  4  be  decte  :  delight  (5.).     Read  be  dight  ; 
8  day  :  read)oy.  [4]  2  of:  for  (5.). 

234 


FROM  SLUGGISH  SLEEP  AND  SLUMBER 

And  let  not  spyte  and  envie 

within  thy  stomoke  growe, 
Least  god  shoote  foarth  his  arrowe 

thy  malice  to  distroy, — 
God  giue  you  all  good  morrow, 

and  send  you  happie  day. 


[6] 

Seeke  not,  by  fraude  and  falshood, 

for  to  procure  thy  gaine  ; 
But  beare  in  thy  rememberance 

all  earthlie  thinges  are  vaine ; 
For  he  which  searcheth  norrowlie 

thy  secretes  will  beray, — 
God  giue  you  all  good  morrowe, 

and  send  you  happie  day. 


[7] 

In  whoredome,  pryde,  and  drunkennesse, 

doe  not  thy  pleasure  traine  ; 
Wish  not  thy  neightbour's  hinderance, 

nor  blemish  his  good  name  ; 
And  never  take  thy  sorrowe 

for  losses  gone  away, — 
God  giue  you  all  good  morrow, 

and  send  you  happie  day. 

[6]  5  norrowlie  :  read  narrow  (5.). 
[7]  I  S.  adds  the  following  stanza  : — 

Vnto  the  poore  and  needye 

stretch  forth  thy  helping  hand, 

And  thow  shalt  be  most  happye, 
and  blessed,  in  thy  lande. 

From  him  that  fayne  would  borow 
turne  not  thy  face  awaye  ; 

2  traine  :  frame  (5.). 

235 


FROM  SLUGGISH  SLEEP  AND  SLUMBER 

[8] 

Be  thankefull  to  thy  maker 

eich  day,  vpon  thy  knee, 
For  all  his  gratious  benefites 

he  hath  bestoed  on  thee  ; 
And  let  thy  greatest  sorrowe 

be  for  thy  sinnes,  I  say,  — 
God  glue  you  all  good  morrow, 

and  send  you  happie  day. 

[9] 

And,  beinge  thus  attyred, 

you  may  in  peace  proceede 
Vnto  the  heauenlie  table 

of  Christ  our  lord  indeede  ; 
Where  neither  shame  nor  sorrowe 

shall  you  in  ought  anoy,  — 
God  glue  you  all  good  morrowe, 

and  send  you  happie  day. 

[10] 

Then  looke  your  lampes  be  readie, 

and  that  with  oyle  of  store, 
To  waite  vpon  the  bryd-groome 

euen  at  his  Chamber  doore  ; 
Where  neither  shame  nor  sorrowe 

shall  you  in  ought  annoy,  — 
Go  d  giue  you  all  good  morrow, 

and  send  you  happie  day. 


Then  shall  you  rest  in  blessednesse 
which  never  shall  haue  end, 

Inioyinge  Christ  his  presence, 
our  sweete  and  sureest  frend  ; 

[9]  8»  [I0]  8  day  :  read  joy. 
236 


FROM  SLUGGISH  SLEEP  AND  SLUMBER 

Where  nether  shame  nor  sorrow 

shall  you  in  ought  annoy,  — 
God  giue  you  all  good  morrow, 

and  send  you  happie  day. 

[12] 

Thus  with  my  bell  and  lantorne, 

I  bid  you  all  farewell  ; 
And  keepe  in  your  rememberance 

the  soundinge  of  my  bell, 
Least  that  with  sinne  and  sorrowe, 

you  doe  your  selues  distroy,  — 
God  giue  you  all  good  morrow, 

and  send  you  happie  toy. 

[13] 

Lord,  saue  our  gratious  soueraigne, 

yea,  James  our  king,  by  name, 
That  long  vnto  our  comfort 

he  may  both  rule  and  raigne. 
His  foes  with  shame  and  sorrow, 

o  lord,  doe  thou  distroy  : 
And  thus,  with  my  good  morrowe, 

god  send  you  a  happie  day. 


[i  i]  8  day  :  read  joy. 

[12]  5  Least  :  i.e.  lest  ;  8  ioy  :  substituted  in  the  MS.  for  day,  the  only 
flace  in  which  the  correction  is  made. 

[13]  2  Elizabeth  by  name  (S.)  ;  4  he  :  she  (5.)  ;   8  day  :  read  joy. 


237 


41 

From  Virgin's  womb  this  day  to 
us  did  spring 

Addit.  MS.  15,225,  fol.  47V.  There  is  a  copy  of  this  pretty  carol 
("  For  Christmas  day")  in  the  Paradise  of  Dainty  Devises,  1578  (Collier's 
reprint,  pp.  17-18),  signed  F.  Kindlemarsh,  /.*.,  Francis  Kinwelmersh, 
the  friend  of  George  Gascoigne  ;  and  another  in  William  Byrd's  Songs  of 
Sundry  Natures,  1610  (Songs  XXII.  and  XXXV.),— "A  Carowle  for 
Christmas  day,  the  quire  whereof  (Reioyce}  being  of  4  parts,  is  the  XXII. 
song," — with  a  musical  score  for  five  voices.  Byrd's  music  for  the  chorus 
is  given  also  in  Bodleian  MS.  Mus.  f.  1 1,  No.  24.  There  is  an  eighteenth- 
century  copy,  with  'musical  score,  in  Addit.  MS.  23,626,  fols.  45  and 
75V.  The  Paradise  poem  is  reprinted  in  Edward  Farr's  Select  Poetry  of 
the  Reign  of  Elizabeth,  p.  291.  Collations  with  Byrd  (B.)  and  Collier's 
reprint  (P.)  are  given  in  the  foot-notes,  and  show  no  great  variations 
from  the  MS.  What  version  the  compiler  of  the  MS.  followed  cannot 
be  told,  though  one  is  naturally  inclined  to  think  that  some  printed 
broadside  copy  was  available.  "A  ballad  entytuled,  A  Christmas 
Caroll,"  licensed  on  October  9,  1593,  may  have  been  the  original  of 
this  MS.  ballad.  "A  godly  hymne  or  carol  for  Christmas"  was  also 
licensed  by  John  Aide  on  December  3,  1579, — possibly  a  reprint  of 
this  ballad  from  the  Paradise. 

a  carall  jfor  Christmas  Day, 

Reioyce,  Reioyce,  with  hart  and  voice, 
In  Christ  his  birth  this  day  reioyce. 


From  Virgin's  wombe  this  day  to  vs  did  springe 
the  precious  seede  that  onelie  saued  manne ; 

This  day  let  man  reioyce  and  sweetelie  singe, 
since  on  this  day  salvation  first  beganne  ; 

This  day  did  Christ  man's  soule  from  death  remooue, 
With  glorious  saintes  to  dwell  in  heauen  aboue. 

[i]  I  to  vs :  B.  and  P.  omit ;  2  onelie  :  B.  omits  ;   5  man's  :  P.  has  man. 

238 


FROM  VIRGIN'S  WOMB 

M 

This  day  to  man  came  pledge  of  perfit  peace  ; 

this  day  to  man  came  loue  and  vnitie  ; 
This  day  man's  greefe  began  for  to  surcease  ; 

this  day  did  man  receiue  a  femedie 
For  each  oifence  and  everie  deadlie  sinne, 
With  guilt  of  hart  that  earst  he  wandred  in. 

[3] 

In  Christ  his  flocke  let  loue  be  surelie  plas'd, 
from  Christ  his  flocke  let  concorde  hate  expell, 

In  Christ  his  flocke  let  loue  be  soe  Imbras'd, 
as  we  in  Christ  and  Christ  in  vs  may  dwell ; 

Christ  is  the  author  of  all  vnitie, 

From  whence  proceedeth  all  felicitie. ' 

w 

O  singe  vnto  this  glitteringe  glorious  kinge, 
and  praise  his  name  let  everie  liueinge  thinge  ; 

Let  hart  and  voyce,  let  belles  of  silver  ringe, 
the  comfort  that  this  day  to  vs  did  bringe  ; 

Let  Lute,  let  shaulme,  with  sound  of  sweete  delight, 

The  ioy  of  Christ  his  birth  this  day  recyte. 

tftttt*. 

[2]  i  perfit  :  i.e.  perfect  (/?.,  P.)  ;  6  guilt  of:  guiltie  (B.,  P.). 

[3]  3  In  :  of  (B.,  P.)  ;  5  all  :  sweet  (B.)  ;  6  felicitie  :  MS.  perhaps 
felikitie. 

[4]  2  and  :  O  (B.,  P.)  ;  3  let  :  like  (B.,  P.)  ;  4  to  vs  :  P.  omits.  B. 
has  to  man  doth  bringe  ;  5  shaulme  :  MS.  substitutes  for  shalme  (B.,  P.) 
=  psaltery  ;  6  the  ioy  :  these  ioyes  (B.). 


239 


What  means  this  careless  world 
to  Vance 

Sloane  MS.  1896,  fols.  45^47.  A  good  specimen  of  the  Judgment- 
Day  ballad.  According  to  the  author  the  time  for  the  fearful  trump  is 
almost  at  hand,  and  he  finds  it  peculiar  that  any  one  should  dislike  the 
thought  of  the  imminent  change.  Like  all  his  associates  in  balladry,  he 
delights  in  warning  his  social  superiors  —  kings,  princes,  and  bishops  — 
that  before  the  Awful  Judge  they  shall  be  equal  with  him  and  exactly  as 
accountable.  Possibly  this  was  the  ballad  "  Remembering  Man  of  the 
Judgment  Day  "  or  "  The  Day  of  the  Lord  Is  at  Hand,"  registered  in 
1557-58  and  1  568-69  ;  and  very  probably  it  was  the  ballad  of"  Christes 
commynge  to  Judgemente  "  that  was  licensed  on  August  I,  1586,  and 
the  "  Dittie  worthie  to  be  viewed  of  all  people  dechringe  the  dreadfull 
corny  nge  of  Christ  to  Judgement  and  howe  all  shall  appeare  before  his 
presence"  that  was  licensed  on  July  4,  1595. 

a  maming  tmto  repentaunce  anu  of 
comming  tonto  au&gement 


What  meanes  this  carelesse  world  to  vance 

in  course  of  carelesse  race, 
And  will  no  warning  voyce  regard, 

but  raunge  in  carelesse  case  ? 


Licentious  dealing  beares  the  sway, 
and  all  delightes  the  same  ; 

Noe  feare  of  hell  nor  Judgement  great 
can  aught  their  wildnesse  tame. 

[2]  4  their  :  i.e.  the  world's. 
240 


WHAT  MEANS  THIS  CARELESS  WORLD 

[3] 

Althoughe  the  throne  prepared  be 

wheron  the  Judge  most  hie 
Shall  sit  to  aske  and  call  accompt, 

in  glorious  maiesty,  — 

w 

Yea,  thoughe  the  heavenly  powers  above 

already  glowe  with  fyre, 
The  world  will  not  reclaymed  be 

nor  leave  their  lewd  desyre. 

[s] 

Though  blast  of  trumpe  be  eke  at  hand, 
when  heaven  and  earth  shall  teare, 

Yet,  loe,  they  will  not  warned  be, 
so  far  they  are  from  feare. 


All  ceasoned  care  is  throwne  asyde  ; 

the  people,  carelesse  nowe, 
Go  forth  in  vayne  and  carnall  race, 

to  carnall  lyfe  they  bowe. 

[7] 

The  threates  of  god  they  nought  regard  ; 

his  Judgementes  nothing  move, 
Nor  cbristes  appearaunce  in  the  skies 

they  nought  desyer  or  love. 

[8] 

But  rather  wishe,  and  wishe  againe, 

that  he  would  byde  for  aye  ; 
And  that  ther  wer  no  heaven  nor  hell 

nor  yet  noe  Judgement  day. 

241 


WHAT  MEANS  THIS  CARELESS 

M 
But,  loe,  the  Judge  will  not  be  stayed 

that  comes  in  flaming  skyes, 
But  cause  the  trumpe  so  shrill  to  sound 

that  quicke  and  dead  must  rise, 

[10] 
To  make  accompte  before  his  throne 

and  make  a  reckening  plaine  : 
Yea,  all  estates  and  sortes  of  men  — 

not  one  may  thence  remayn. 


The  emperores,  with  mighty  kinges, 
must  stand  before  the  barre,  — 

Before  thie  greate  and  fearfull  Judge, 
to  make  or  all  to  marre. 

[12] 

For  why  ?   accompte  they  render  must 

of  that  their  highe  degree  ; 
And  howe  their  talentes  vsed  have. 

They  shall  enquired  be 

[13] 

If  they  in  feare  of  god  have  walked 
amidst  their  worldly  might, 

And  if  they  have  his  honor  vaunst, 
as  them  became  aright. 


Yea,  princes,  then,  with  dukes  and  lordes, 

with  all  that  honor  beare, 
Before  that  Judge  must  yeeld  accompt, 

thoughe  most  with  trembling  feare. 
[u]  3  thie  =  the.  [13]  3  vaunst  :  i.e.  advanced. 

242 


WORLD  TO  VANCE 

[IS] 
Yea,  bishoppes,  to[o],  and  those  that  take 

the  cure  of  soule  in  hand, 
A  reconing  streight  must  yeld  when  they 

at  barre  of  Judgement  stand. 

[i6J 

If  they  not  nowe  the  gospell  teache, 

and  so  their  soldes  defend, 
From  gredy  guttes  (devouring  wolves), 

repent  they  shall  at  end. 

[17] 

Then  meane  and  basest  sorte  of  men 

may  not  exempted  be, 
But  nedes  perforce  to  Judgement  come, 

both  hie  and  lowe  degree. 

[18] 

Yea,  man  and  woman,  old  and  yong, 

must  perforce  ther  appeare 
To  yeld  accompte,  and  shortely  nowe,  — 

the  tyme  aprocheth  neere. 

[19] 

For  why  ?  —  the  signes  expired  are, 

the  tokens  sure  are  past, 
And  onely  nowe  remaines  behinde 

of  trompe  the  fearfull  blast, 


To  call  vs  vp  to  this  accompt, 
this  sessions  greate  proclaime  ; 

let  vs,  therfore,  the  life  reiect 
that  hath  bene  to[o]  to[o]  vaine. 

[  1  6]  2  soldes  :  i.e.  souls. 

243 


WHAT  MEANS  THIS  CARELESS  WORLD 

[21] 

Let  vs,  I  say,  with  hasty  spede 

our  carelesse  lyf  e  of[f]  shake  ; 
Let  love  and  dread  of  Judgement  day 

from  vaine  delightes  vs  wake. 


_  _ 

Yea,  let  vs  all  with  virgins  wise 
our  oyle  in  lampes  have  prest, 

To  enter  when  the  bridegrom  comes 
to  that  immortall  rest. 


O  graunt  vs  grace,  thou  blessed  god, 
that  we  may  so  have  power, 

And  that  our  hartes  so  longinge  wishe 
for  christ,  our  saviour  ; 


With  whome  the  faithfull  and  elect 

shall  raign  in  blisse  alwaies, 
To  whome,  with  his  deare  father  and 

the  holy  ghost,  be  praise. 

[JFfofcJ 

[22]  2  prest  =  ready.  [23]  4  saviour  :  read  sav-i-our. 


244 


43 
Why  should  not  mortal  men  awake 

MS.  Rawlinson  Poet.  185,  fols.  2  -4V.  The  title  given  in  the  MS. 
to  this  splendid  Judgment-Day  ballad  does  not  seem  appropriate.  The 
ballad  itself  was  registered  for  publication  on  August  19,  1584,  as  "a 
godly  exhortacon  of  Doomes  Daie  is  at  hand  &c."  ;  and,  again,  as  a  ballad 
of  "Doomes  Daie  is  at  hand  &c.,"  on  August  1,  1586. 

The  author,  R.  D.,  contributed  a  poem,  "  No  wordes,  but  deedes,"  to 
he  Paradise  of  Dainty  Devises,  1578  (Collier's  reprint,  pp.  24-25). 

Thomas  Deloney's  "Lamentation  of  Beccles,"  1586,  was  sung  to 
Wilson's  Tune,  and  "  A  proper  newe  Ballad,  declaring  the  substaunce  of 
ill  the  late  pretended  Treasons  against  the  Queenes  Majestic,"  1586 
in  the  Library  of  the  Society  of  Antiquaries),  was  sung  to  Wilson's 
new  Tune.  Cf.  also  Chappell's  Popular  Musical.,  86. 

a  goDty  anu  goou  example  to  atoopne  all 
3inronteniende0  a0  hereafter 

To  wilson's  tune.     ft.   29. 


Why  should  not  mortall  men  awake 

and  see  the  day  appere  ? 
Why  should  we  not  shake  of[f]  our  pride 

and  serue  the  lord  with  fere  ? 
Men  are  so  drowned  in  peevishe  pride 

the  worser  parte  they  take  ; 
But  what  attaines  to  perfect  good, 

they  wholly  do  forsake. 
The  day  is  nye,for  shame  awake, 

with  'humble  hartes,  therfore, 
Approche  the  place  where  mercy  is, 

and  lerne  to  sinne  no  more. 

[Title]  examyle  :  i.e.  example. 

245 


WHY  SHOULD  NOT  MORTAL  MEN  AWAKE 


How  lounge  shall  we  forgett  our  god 

and  laye  his  law  aside  ? 
How  lounge  shall  we  procure  his  wrath 

by  this  excesse  of  pride  ? 
High  tyme  it  is  for  English  e  harts 

to  god  for  grace  to  call, 
With  bendinge  knees,  and  liftinge  hands, 

and  shrikinge  woice  withall. 
The  day  is  nye,for  shame  awake, 

with  humble  harUs, 


[3] 
The  axe  is  sett  vnto  the  tree  : 

then  if  we  be  not  rotton, 
Let  vs  shake  of[f]  our  vanitie, 

let  pride  be  quite  forgotton  ; 
For  god  hath  shewed  examples  store 

to  move  vs  to  repente, 
But  we,  alas,  sinne  more  and  more, 

we  are  so  lewdly  bente. 
The  day  is  nye,for  shame  awake, 

with  humble  hartes, 


[4] 

For  pride,  alas,  doth  bere  the  swaye 

in  outwarde  showe  and  harte, 
But  meeknes  of  the  minde,  we  maye 

perceaue,  is  put  aparte  : 
Haue  minde,  therfore,  howe  angells  bright 

that  once  with  god  did  dwell 
for  pride,  wherin  they  tooke  delight, 

were  headloung  throwne  to  hell. 
The  day  is  nye,for  shame  awake, 

with  humble  harttes,  &c. 

[2]  8  shrikinge  woice  :  i.e.  shrieking  voice. 
246 


WHY  SHOULD  NOT  MORTAL  MEN  AWAKE 

[5] 
Proud  lesabell,  whose  sinne  so  great 

did  move  the  lorde  to  Ire, 
Was  headlonge  from  her  tower  so  neat 

cast  in  the  filthy  myre  ; 
The  raveninge  dogges,  in  open  streates, 

devored  her  wicked  corse  ; 
Her  fleshe  and  blood  with  horses'  feett 

was  trode  without  remorse. 
The  day  is  nye,for  shame  awake, 

with  humble  hartes, 


[6] 

Nabuchadnezar  so  greate, 

of  Babylon  the  kinge, 
Was  quite  excluded  from  his  seate, 

which  plauge  his  pride  did  bringe  ; 
For  when  that  pride  in  him  encrest, 

he  therin  did  abounde  ; 
But  for  his  pride  he  was  a  beast, 

and  eat  the  grasse  on  grounde. 
The  day  is  nye,for  shame  awake, 

with  humble  hartes, 


[7] 

Antiocus,  through  pride,  thought  good 

equall  to  be  with  god  ; 
Whose  thoughts  most  vile  the  Lord  withstoode 

by  his  reuenging  rod, 
He  made  this  wicked  king  accurst, 

who  showed  him  selfe  so  stout, 

[5]  I  lesabell  :  i.e.  Jezebel  (i  Kings  xxi.  ;  2  Kings  ix.,  n). 
[6]  i  Nabuchadnezar  :  I.e.  Nebuchadnezzar  ;  4  plauge  :  MS.  originally 
playge.- 

[7]  I  Antiocus  :  i.e.  Antiocus  Epiphanes  (2  Maccabees  ix.,  1-18) 

247 


WHY  SHOULD  NOT  MORTAL  MEN  AWAKE 

And  caused  his  bowells  so  to  burst 
that  wormes  came  cra[w]linge  out. 

The  day  is  nye,for  shame  awake, 
with  humble  hartes,  &c. 


The  daughter  of  a  merchant  late, 

in  Italy  that  dwelt, 
Accepted  pride  to  be  her  mate, 

which  caused  her  soule  to  swelt  ; 
Whose  ruffes  to  sett  none  plesed  her  sight, 

she  was  so  Coye  a  dame, 
Tyll  sathan  had  her  for  his  right 

vnto  her  parentes'  shame. 
The  day  is  nye,for  shame  awake, 

with  humble  hartes, 


[9] 

The  Gy  antes  once  to  haue  the  seat 

of  suprem  head  presumed, 
The  which  was  very  hard  to  gett  — 

at  length  they  were  consumed. 
The  bewtye  of  narcis  so  strainge, 

which  did  his  wittes  devour  e, 
The  godes  decree  the  same  did  chainge 

into  a  yellow  flower. 
The  day  is  nye,for  shame  awake, 

with  humble  hartes, 


[10] 

Loe,  daintye  dames  of  London  braue, 

that  now  in  plesure's  barge, 
How  mighty  kinges  and  ladies  haue 

from  vertue  runne  at  large, 

[9]  i  Gyantes  :  i.e.  the  Titans  ;  5  narcis  so  :  read  Narcissus. 
[  i  o]  2  now  :  read  row. 

248 


WHY  SHOULD  NOT  MORTAL  MEN  AWAKE 

By  hauty  hartes  before  the  lord  — 

of  sinnes  which  is  the  worst  ; 
And  angells  bright,  with  one  accord, 

howe  pride  hath  made  accurst. 
The  day  is  nye,for  shame  awake, 

with  humble  hartes,  &c. 


What  makes  the  rich,  without  all  feare, 

disdaine  the  lowly  minde  ? 
What  causes  the  sonne  his  father  dere 

denye  against  all  kinde  ? 
What  cavses  whordome  now  prevayle, 

or  theft  so  muche  to  raigne  ?  — 
This  filthy  pride,  for  why,  some  steale 

ther  mynions  to  maintaine. 
The  day  is  nye,  for  shame  awake, 

with  humble  hartes, 


[I2] 

Leaue  of[f],  therfore,  this  vaine  excesse 

whilst  mercye  may  be  had  ; 
Abandon  all  presumptuousnes, 

which  makes  your  soules  full  sad  ; 
For  god  lifted  vp  the  humble  harte, 

he  lawdes  the  lowly  minde, 
But  puffinge  pride  he  puttes  aparte, 

as  chaff  e  against  the  winde. 
The  day  is  nye,for  shame  awake, 

with  humble  h[arts, 


God  doth  compare  vnto  a  Child 

his  glorious  Kingdome  wholly, 
And  to  the  little  dove  so  milde 

that  sheweth  her  selfe  so  lowly  : 

[12]  5  lifted  :  ;•*&/  lifts.  [13]  i  Child  :  i.e.  St.  Matthew  xix.,  14. 

249 


WHY  SHOULD  NOT  MORTAL  MEN  AWAKE 

The  first,  saith  Christ,  shalbe  the  last, 

the  gretest  shalbe  lest, 
And  he  that  never  pride  did  tast 

with  god  shall  live  in  rest. 
The  day  is  nye,for  shame  awake, 

with  humble  h[arts,  WV.]. 

[14] 

Strive  not  for  welth,  let  vertue  bounde, 

with  lowly  minds  accord  ; 
For  when  god  doth  the  prowed  confound, 

the  meeke  shall  see  the  lorde. 
The  meeke  who  seekes  the  lord  to  plesse 

for  his  deserued  hire, 
Shalle  were  a  Crowne  of  Blisfull  bayes, — 

what  more  can  he  desire  ? 
[The  day  is  nye,for  shame  awake, 

with  humble  harts,  &c.~\ 

[15] 

What  can  avayle  your  velvet  gownes, 

your  Caules  of  glitteringe  golde, 
Your  ruffes  so  deepe,  your  chaines  of  lette, 

when  you  are  tourn'd  to  mould  ? 
Your  painted  face,  your  fristed  heare, 

your  Cotes  of  scarlet  red, 
Your  colloured  hose,  your  lewells  deare, 

your  hoodes  vpon  your  head  ? 
The  day  is  nye,for  shame  awake, 

with  humble,  &c. 

[16] 

Your  fingers  fine,  bedect  with  ringes, 
your  countenance  braue  and  bolde  ; 

[13]  5  Christ  :  i.e.  St.  Matthew  xix.,  30  ;  6  lest  :  read  least. 
[15]   2  Caules  =  caps,  or  nets,  for  the  hair;     5   fristed  heare:     i.e. 
frizzled  hair. 

250 


WHY  SHOULD  NOT  MORTAL  MEN  AWAKE 

Your  tatlinge  tounges  and  other  thinges, 

most  sinfull  to  beholde  ; 
Your  trippinge  pace  and  gaddinge  grace, 

your  lives  to  venus  bente  ; 
Your  lofty  lookes,  with  lustfull  hookes  ;  — 

will  cause  your  soules  be  shente. 
The  day  is  nye,for  shame  awake, 

with  humble  harts, 


When  doomes-day  comes,  as  it  is  nye, 

all  thinges  shall  loose  thire  light, 
Those  which  are  ioyned  with  meeknes  clere 

shall  shine  in  glory  bright  ; 
For  shame,  therfore,  shake  of[f]  your  pride, 

put  vaine  delightes  awaye, 
And  let  dame  vertue  be  your  guide,  — 

your  state  shall  not  decaye. 
The  day  is  nye,  for  shame  awake, 

with  humble  hartes,  therfore, 
Approch  the  place  where  mercye  is, 

and  lerne  to  sinne  no  more. 


[17]  2  loose  thire  :  i.e.  lose  their. 


251 


44 

Come  on,  good  fellow,  make  an  end 

Sloane  MS.  1896,  fols.  6v-8.  The  tops  of  most  of  the  letters  in  the 
title  have  been  clipped  by  the  binder,  and  the  ink  throughout  the  ballad 
is  badly  faded. 

This  really  good  ballad  was  licensed  for  publication  by  John  Cherle- 
wood  under  the  title  of  "  betwene  Death  and  youghte"  in  1563-64 
(Arber's  Transcript,  I.,  237).  There  is  an  especially  disconcerting 
reference  to  the  frailty  of  life  in  stanza  16. 

a  Dialogue  bettuene  Dcatt)  anD  poutlje* 

DEATH  [i] 

Come  on,  good  fellowe,  make  an  end, 

for  you  and  I  must  talke  ; 
You  may  noe  longer  soiourne  here, 

but  hence  you  must  goe  walke. 


YOUTH  [2] 

What  wofull  wordes,  alas, 
be  theise  that  I  do  heare  ? 

Alas,  and  shall  I  now  forthewith 
forsake  my  lyfe  so  deare  ? 


DEATH  [3] 

Come  on,  come  on,  and  lynger  not, 

ye  tryfle  but  the  tyme  ; 
Ye  make  to[o]  muche  of  that,  Iwis, 

which  is  but  dirt  and  slyme. 
252 


COME  ON,  GOOD  FELLOW,  MAKE  AN  END 

YOUTH  [4] 

O  cursed  death,  what  dost  thou  mean, 

so  cruell  for  to  be, 
To  him  that  neuer  thought  the[e]  harm 

nor  once  offended  the[e]  ? 

[s] 

O  death,  behold  ;   I  am  but  younge 

and  of  a  pleasaunt  age  : 
Take  thou  some  old  and  croked  wight, 

and  spare  me  in  thy  rage. 

I  [6] 

Behold,  my  lymmes  be  lyvely  now, 

my  mynd  and  courage  strong, 
And  by  the  verdit  of  all  men 

lyke  to  continew  long  ; 

[7] 

My  bewty  like  the  rose  so  red, 
my  heare  like  glistring  gold  ; — 

And  canst  thou  now  of  pity  then 
transforme  me  into  molde  ? 

[8] 

O  gentle  death,  be  not  extreme  ; 

thy  mercy  heare  I  craue  ; 
It  is  not  for  thyne  honor  nowe 

to  fetche  me  to  my  grave  : 

[9] 

But  rather  let  me  lyve  a  while, 
till  youth  consumed  be, — 

[5]  I  younge  :  MS.  yougne  ;  2  pleasaunt  :  badly  blurred  in  MS. 
[6]  3  verdit :  i.e.  verdict.  [7]  2  heare  :  i.e.  hair. 

253 


COME  ON,  GOOD  FELLOW,  MAKE  AN  END 

When  crooked  age  doth  me  opres, 
then  welcome  death  to  me. 


DEATH  [10] 

O  fo[o]lishe  man,  what  dost  thou  meane 
to  strive  against  the  streame  ? 

Nothing  there  is  that  can  the[e]  nowe 
out  of  my  handes  redeame. 


Thy  time  is  past,  thy  daies  are  gone, 

thy  race  is  fully  runne  ; 
Thou  must  of  force  nowe  make  an  end, 

as  thou  hadst  onse  begunne. 

[12] 

O  foole,  why  dost  thou  beag  and  boast 
of  theise  thy  youthfull  dayes  ?  — 

Which  passeth  fast  and  fadeth  swifte, 
as  flowers  freshe  decayes. 


Both  youth  and  age  to  me  be  one  — 
I  care  not  whome  I  stryke  : 

The  child,  the  man,  the  father  old, 
doe  I  reward  alyke. 

EH] 

The  proudest  of  them  all,  Iwis, 
can  not  escape  my  darte  : 

The  lady  fayre,  the  lazer  fowlle, 
shall  both  posses  a  parte. 

[12]  i  beag  :  i.e.  beg.  [14]  3  fowlle  :  i.e.  foul. 

254 


COME  ON,  GOOD  FELLOW,  MAKE  AN  END 

[IS] 

Thou  art  not  nowe  the  first,  I  say, 

that  I  haue  eared  vppe  ; 
Ne  yet  shalt  be  the  last,  pardy,   % 

that  drincketh  of  my  cuppe  ; 

[16]        V 

For  he  that  doth  vs  now  behold, — 

perusing  this  our  talke, — 
He  knoweth  not  yet  how  sone,  god  wot, 

with  thee  and  me  to  walke  ! 

[17] 

Dispatche,  therfore,  and  make  an  end, 

for  ne[e]des  you  must  obey ; 
And  as  thou  earnest  into  this  world, 

so  shalt  thou  nowe  away. 

YOUTH  [18] 

And  must  I  passe  out  of  this  world 

in-dede,  and  shall  I  soe  ? 
May  noe  man  me  restrayn  a  while, 

but  ne[e]des  nowe  must  I  goe  ? 

[19] 

Why,  then,  farewell  my  lyfe  and  landes, 

adiew  my  pleasures  all ! 
Loe  dredfull  deth  doth  vs  departe, 

and  me  away  doth  call. 

[20] 

My  chearfull  dayes  be  worne  a-way, 
my  pleasaunt  tyme  is  past, 

[15]  2  eared  =  ploughed  up  (<O.E.  grian). 

[17]  3  earnest:  read  cam3 st.  [19]  3  departe  =  separate. 

255 


COME  ON,  GOOD  FELLOW,  MAKE  AN  END 

My  youthfull  yeares  are  spent  and  gone, 
my  lyfe  it  may  not  last ; 

[21] 

And  I  (for  lacke  of  lyfe  and  breath) 

whose  like  hath  not  bene  sene, 
Shall  straight  consumed  be  to  dust, 

as  I  had  never  bene. 

[22]  ^ 

But  thoughe  I  yeld  as  now  to  thee, 

when  nothing  me  can  save, 
Yet  I  am  sure  that  I  shall  lyve 

when  thou  thy  death  shalt  haue. 


256 


45 

\ 

Lo  here  I  Dance  with  spear  and 
shield 

Sloane  MS.  1896,  fols.  5iv~52v.  A  ballad  of  a  conventional  type  in 
which  Death,  after  gloating  over  his  victory  in  destroying  Croesus,  warns 
all  estates  of  his  power  and  urges  them  to  be  ready.  He  seems  to  be 
uncertain  as  to  whether  his  master  is  God  or  Jove.  In  the  woodcuts 
that  ornament  most  of  the  ballads  on  Death,  he  is  depicted  as  a  skeleton 
with  an  hour-glass  in  one  hand,  a  dart  (or  spear)  in  the  other.  A  ballad 
much  like  this  appears  in  the  Gorgeous  Gallery  of  Gallant  Inventions,  1579 
(Collier's  reprint,  pp.  1  19  ff.). 


mitt)  Ijourcglasse  in  tbe  one 

anu  speare  in  tlje  ofljer  ttireatnetl)  all 

estates. 


Loe  heare  I  vaunce,  with  speare  and  shield, 
To  watche  my  pray,  to  spoyle,  to  kill  ; 
By  day,  by  night,  on  sea,  one  land, 
Noe  tyme  I  stay  ;  but  toyling  still, 
My  force  I  try,  to  worcke  the  will 
Of  ruling  Joue  :  with  deathfull  dint, 
Eache  hart  I  reave,  though  hard  as  flint. 


My  shape  is  dread  of  wor[l]dly  wightes  ; 
My  piercing  darte,  abhored  sore  ; 
Which  them  devides  from  vayne  delightes, 
From  glaring  pompe  possest  before, 

[i]  3  one  :  read  on. 
R  257 


LO  HERE  I  VANCE 

From  scepter,  croune,  and  earthly  glore  : 
With  Pallas,  throne,  yea  reign  and  power, 
I  them  bereave  at  'pointed  howre. 


No  king  so  sure  nor  keyser  founde 

But  I  remove  from  ruling  seate  ; 

No  wight  but  when  he  heres  my  sound 

Must  yeld  perforce,  thoughe  force  be  great. 

Sith  lord  of  lyfe  as  man  did  sweate, 

With  trickling  droppes  of  watry  bloud, 

Who  dare  resist,  be  he  never  so  good  ? 


w 

Thoughe  thou,  a  king,  thy  selfe  enclose 
In  Iron,  in  brasse,  in  stone,  in  stele, — 
Which  may  defend  the[e]  from  suche  foes 
As  thou  on  earth  their  force  might  fele, — 
Yet  I,  not  rulde  by  fortune's  whele, 
But  stay'd  on  god  at  tourne  of  glasse, 
Will  sparce  thy  stele,  thy  stone,  thy  bra[sse]. 


[5] 

One  godes  decre  dependes  my  power  ; 

And  serve  I  do  at  'pointed  will : 

If  he  commaund  and  lot  myne  houre, 

Then  forth  I  fare  to  spoile  and  kill ; 

If  he  restraine,  then  rest  I  still 

(As  momme,  and  eke  as  cheyned,  to[o]), 

Not  able  ought  gaine  him  to  doe. 

2]  6  Pallas :  i.e.  palace. 

3]  3  heres  :  i.e.  hears. 

4]  7  sparce  :  i.e.  sparche  =  scorch  ;    brasse  :  Clipped  by  the  binder. 

5]  i  One  :  read  on  ;  6  momme  =  mum,  quiet  ;  7  gaine  :  i.e.  against. 

258 


WITH  SPEAR  AND  SHIELD 

[6] 

And  thoughe  in  hand  I  vaunce  this  speare, 
Whose  dint  is  death  and  wound  to  grave, 
Yet  loe  this  glasse  againe  I  beare, 
To  shewe  that  I  noe  fredome  have 
For  hate  to  strike,  for  love  to  save, 
Till  mighty  Joue  apoint  the  houre  ; 
And  then  I  want  no  will  nor  power. 

[7] 

Defer  noe  tyme,  therfore,  I  say, 

Ye  sonnes  of  men,  your  selves  prepare  ; 

For  hence,  perforce,  ye  must  away  : 

No  keyser,  kyng,  nor  Quene,  I  spare  ; 

But  when  their  times  fulfilled  are, 

I  strike  them  doune,  whome  none  may  save, 

But  dust  to  dust  I  fling  in  grave. 

[8] 

Yeld,  therfore  ;  yeld,  thou  Cresus  crounde, 
For  glasse  is  out,  hence  must  thou  wend  : 
Though  pompe,  thoughe  welth  do  large  abound, 
Yet  can  not  life  from  death  defend. 
Doune,  Cresus,  doune  ;  for  fat  all  end, 
By  ruling  will,  hath  thronne  my  speare  — 
Ha,  sturdy  wight,  now  lyest  thou  there  ! 


Sith  Cresus  now  is  doune  in  dust, 
And  could  not  shunne  this  mortall  hour, 
Who  may  to  wealth  or  worship  trust  ?  — 
He  wanted  neyther  pomp  nor  power  : 
Thus  death  in  fyne  will  all  devoure. 

[8]  i  Cresus  :  i.e.  Croesus  ;  6  thronne  :  i.e.  thrown. 
[9]  5  fyne  :  l'e'  fine  =  end. 

259 


LO  HERE  I  VANCE 

Then  note  the  swiftness  e  of  this  glasse  ; 
For  tyme  decreed,  thou  canst  not  passe. 

[10] 

A  kyng  is  now  a  clod  of  claye, 

His  breathlesse  corse  must  hence  to  grave 

Report  shall  good  or  ill  display,  — 

If  well  be  done,  he  well  shall  have. 

But  thus  no  graunt  they  got  that  crave 

Of  me,  but  doune  with  Cresus  kyng, 

With  vnresisted  force,  I  slyng. 


For  sith  that  he,  this  princely  wight, 
Could  not  resist  my  dint  of  speare, 
Whoe  else  may  thincke  to  have  suche  might 
That  cause  he  hath  not  like  to  feare  ? 
Prepare  your  selves,  therfore,  prepare  : 
The  glasse  is  swift  and  runnes  out  fast, 
Then  earth  to  earth  must  needes  be  cast. 


[12] 

He  shrouded  lyes  in  lynnen  shete 

That  lately  was  clothed  in  Pall ; 

His  croune  bereft  and  throwen  at  fete, 

With  scepter,  mace,  he  rulde  withall, 

In  pieces  wroong  ;  his  carcase  thrall 

To  crowling  woormes,  to  feed  their  fill : — 

WTatche,  therfore,  watche,  I  warn  you  still. 

[13] 

For  eache  may  thus  perceyve  and  se 
That  naught  can  force  of  death  withstand  ; 

[12]  2  was  clothed  :  read  clothed  was  ;  3  throwen  :  read  thrown. 

260 


WITH  SPEAR  AND  SHIELD 

For  I  depend  on  Jouis  decree, 

And  forth  will  walke  with  glasse  in  hand 

To  slay,  to  spoile,  by  sea  and  land  ; — 

Prepare  yourselves,  therfore,  I  say, 

Ye  knowe  noe  tyme,  no  houre,  nor  day. 


261 


/  am  that  champion,  great  of  power 

Sloane  MS.  1896,  fols.  54-54v.  In  this  fluent  but  conventional 
ballad  Death  enumerates  distinguished  persons  whom  he  has  "flang" 
to  the  dust.  Antony  Munday  has  several  ballads  in  his  Dainty  Conceits, 
1588  (Harleian  Miscellany,  IX.,  227,  230,  238,  252),  shewing  that 
"divers  worthy  personages  past  in  auncient  time"  could  not  resist 
death, — a  truth  that  might  be  supposed  to  be  self-evident.  One  of  the 
Gude  and  Godlie  Ballafu,  1567  (ed.  A.  F.  Mitchell,  p.  167),  asks : — 

Quhair  is  Adam  and  Eue  his  wife 
And  Hercules,  with  his  lang  stryfe, 
And  Matussalem,  with  his  lang  lyfe  ? 
They  all  ar  cum  downe  ay,  downe  ay. 

And  in  his  poem  "  Upon  the  Image  of  Death  "  the  talented  Catholic 
priest  Robert  Southwell  (Poems,  ed.  A.  B.  Grosart,  p.  157)  falls  into  the 
ballad  style  : — 

Though  all  the  East  did  quake  to  heare 

Of  Alexander's  dreadfull  name, 
And  all  the  West  did  likewise  feare 

To  heare  of  lulius  Caesar's  fame, 
Yet  both  by  Death  in  dust  now  lie; 
Who  then  can  'scape,  but  he  must  die  ? 

Cfce  triumptje  of  oeatt). 

[i] 

I  am  that  champion,  greate  of  power, 
one  barbed  horse,  with  coulor  pale, 

Which  all  that  lyve  will  onse  devoure 
and  thrust  in  grave  with  forced  bale. 

Against  me  naught  thou  canst  prevayle, 
what  so  thou  art, — the  reason  why, 

All  men  that  lyve  are  borne  to  dye. 

[i]  2  one  :  i.e.  on. 

262 


I  AM  THAT  CHAMPION,  GREAT  OF  POWER 

W 

Yeeld,  princes  ;  yeld,  ye  men  of  might  ; 

resign  to  me  your  rule  and  croune  ; 
Or,  if  you  will  presume  to  fight, 

do  on,  you  lordes  that  grimly  frowne, 
Your  steely  cotes,  you  of  renowne. 

Come  breake  a  staffe  with  me  who  dare  : 
No  kyng  except,  no  prince  I  feare. 


.     . 

Not  Nemrod,  with  his  sturdy  lookes, 
could  me  repulse  ;   but  forcibly 

(As  standes  in  first  of  Moyses  bookes), 
amiddes  his  pryde  and  tyranny, 

Doune,  doune,  he  fell  confusedly, 
and  (nilling-wise)  thus  catching,  fall  ; 

By  wofull  force  became  my  thrall. 


The  spoyling  Sampson,  prince  of  strength, 
thoughe  noble  actes  by  force  he  wrought, 

Was  forcibly  enforst  at  length 

his  force  to  yeld,  which  holp  him  nought  ; 

But  doune  I  flang  him,  yea,  and  brought 
to  mouth  of  grave  his  vanquisht  strength. 

Thus  none  may  dure  but  yeld  at  length. 

f  [5] 

To  speake  of  noble  conqueroures, 

as  Alexander  (warlike  wight), 
Ccesar,  with  Romaine  emperours, 

whose  fame  one  earth  remayneth  bright  ;  — 

[3]  i  Nemrod  :  i.e.  Nimrod  ;  3  Moyses  :  i.e.  Moses.  Cf.  Genesis 
x.,  8-9  ;  6  nilling  =  unwilling. 

[4]  i  spoyling  =  despoiling,  ravaging  ;  strength  :  MS.  strenghth  ; 
4  holp  :  old  strong  form  of  the  verb  help.  [5]  4  one  :  i.e.  on. 

263 


I  AM  THAT  CHAMPION,  GREAT  OF  POWER 

They  all  at  beck  obeyed  my  might, 

and  groveling  fell,  resigning  croune 
To  me,  their  lord,  that  threw  them  downe. 

[6] 
Wher  is  that  Hector,  croune  of  Troye, 

whose  wing'd  renoune  no  tyme  can  staye  ? 
Wher  is,  o  Jewe,  thy  boasting  Joy  ? — 

thy  Dauyd  he  but  past  my  way, 
With  yong  Josias  swete,  I  say  : 

theise  all  ar  now  in  dusty  plight. 
Then  yeld,  perforce,  your  force  and  might. 

[7] 

Now  come,  contend  with  me  who  list ; 

for  doune  they  must,  who  euer  they  be  ; 
Theise  namde,  you  se[e],  could  not  resist 

my  force,  but  captives  now  they  be. 
Looke,  therfore,  lo[o]k  alwayes  for  me  ; 

for  when  thy  glasse  is  full  runne  out, 
I  come  with  speare,  be  out  of  doubt. 

[finis.] 

[6]  5  Josias :   2  Kings  xxii.-xxiii.          [7]  2  euer  :  read  e'er. 


264 


47 

O  mortal  man,  behold  and  see 

MS.  Rawlinson  Poet.  185,  fols.  4V-$V.  This  MS.  preserves  an 
almost  entirely  new  ballad,  which  is  longer  than,  and  much  superior  to, 
the  two  other  extant  versions.  The  two-line  chorus  is  written  as  the 
opening  lines  of  the  first  stanza,  and  in  an  effort  to  normalize  the  form 
of  this  stanza,  the  copyist  did  not  repeat  the  last  line  as  he  did  elsewhere. 
Other  copies  of  the  ballad  occur:  (i)  In  Additional  MS.  15,233 
(Halliwell-Phillipps,  The  Moral  Play  of  Wit  and  Wisdom,  Shakespeare 
Society,  1848,  pp.  110-111).  This  version  (//.)  has  nine  stanzas:  it 
omits  three  of  those  in  the  Rawlinson  MS.,  but  adds  a  new  stanza,  here 
reprinted  as  stanza  13.  It  does  not  repeat  the  last  line  of  each  stanza  — 
using  instead  the  chorus  —  and  is  signed  "  Fynis,  quod  Mr.  Thorne." 
(2)  In  the  Paradise  of  Dainty  Devises,  1578  (Collier's  reprint,  pp.  121- 
122).  The  chorus  is  printed  at  the  head  of  this  version  (P.),  but  neither 
chorus  nor  the  last  line  of  the  stanzas  is  repeated  at  the  conclusion  of 
each  stanza.  Of  the  eight  stanzas  in  this  version  four  (printed  here  as 
stanzas  2-5)  do  not  occur  in  either  the  Rawlinson  or  the  Additional 
MS.  copies.  It  is  signed  "  Finis.  M[r.]  Thorne." 

The  ballad  seems  to  have  been  registered  in  1  563  by  John  Cherlewood 
(cf.  especially  stanza  15)  as  "ye  vanitie  of  this  worlde  and  the  felycite  of 
the  worlde  to  come"  (Arber's  Transcript,  I.,  231). 

Two  other  ballads  by  Thorne  are  preserved  in  Addit.  MS.  15,233 
(ed.  Halliwell-Phillipps,  op.  cit.,  pp.  65,  102),  and  one  of  these  is 
included  in  the  Paradise. 

a  pretie  trittie  ant)  a  pittite  intitules 
flD  mortall  man. 

O  mortall  man,  behold  and  see, 
This  world  is  but  a  vanetie. 


Who  shall  profoundly  way  and  scan 

the  vnassured  state  of  man 
[i]   i   way  :  i.e.  weigh  ;  2  vnassured  :  assured  (P.). 
265 


O  MORTAL  MAN,  BEHOLD  AND  SEE 

Shall  well  perceue  by  reson,  then, 

that  ther  is  no  stabilitie. 
All  is  subiect  to  vanety, 

[all  is  subiect  to  vanety]. 

[2]  : 

[For  what  estate  is  there  thinke  ye, 

throughly  content  with  his  degre, 
Whereby  we  may  right  plainly  see  : 
That  in  this  vale  of  miserie, 

remaineth  nought  but  vanitie. 


The  great  men  wish  ye  meane  estate, 
mean  men  again  their  state  do  hate, 

Olde  men  thinke  children  fortunate  : 

A  boy  a  man  would  faynest  be, 
thus  wandereth  man  in  vanitie. 

W 

The  country  man  doth  daily  swel, 
with  great  desire  in  court  to  dwell, 

The  Courtier  thinkes  him  nothing  well  : 

Till  he  from  Court  in  country  be, 
he  wandreth  so  in  vanitie. 

[5] 

The  sea  doth  tosse  ye  marchants  brains, 
to  wish  a  farme  &  leue  those  pains, 

The  Farmer  gapeth  at  marchants  gaines  : 

Thus  no  man  can  contented  be, 
he  wandreth  so  in  vanitie.] 

[6] 

If  thow  be  kinge  or  emperoure, 

prince,  ether  lord  of  might  or  powre, 

[i]  4  ther  :  where  (P.)  ;   5  remayneth  nought  but  vanitie  (P.). 
[2]  i  Stanzas  2-5  appear  only  in  P. 
[5]  5  Stanzas  6  and  7  omitted  in  P. 

266 


O  MORTAL  MAN,  BEHOLD  AND  SEE 

Thy  poore  subiectes  do  not  devoure  ; 

beware  of  pride  and  Crueltye, 
Lose  not  thy  fame  for  vanetie, 

lose  not  thy  fame,  &c. 

[7] 

If  thow  be  set  to  do  Justice, 
reward  vertue  and  punish  vice  ; 

Oppresse  no  man,  I  thee  advice  ; 
abuse  not  thine  aut[h]oritye 

To  vex  poore  men  for  vanetye, 
to  vex  poor  men,  &c. 


, 

If  thow  haue  landes  or  goodes  great  store, 
consider  then  thy  charge  is  more, 

Sith  that  thow  must  accompt  therfore  ; 
they  are  not  thine  but  lent  to  thee, 

And  yet  they  are  but  vanetie, 
and  yet  they  are,  &c. 


And  if  thow  forten  to  be  poore 
so  that  thow  go  from  dore  to  dore, 

Humblie  giue  thankes  to  god  therfore, 
and  thinke  in  thine  adversetie, 

This  world  is  but  a  vanetie, 
this  world  is  but,  &c. 

[10] 

Yf  thow  of  youth  haue  oversight, 
refraine  thy  will  with  all  thy  might  ; 

3  Oppresse  :  O  !  pres  (//.). 

I    or  :  and  (H.)  ;    3    Synce   thow  must   make   acownt  therfore 
(H.,  P.)  ;  6  Stanzas  9-13  are  not  in  P. 

[9]  i  forten  :  i.e.  fortune.  [10]  I  Stanza  10  is  not  in  H. 

267 


[7] 
[8] 


O  MORTAL  MAN,  BEHOLD  AND  SEE 

For  wicked  will  doth  worke  his  spight. 

Let  them  at  no  tyme  idle  bee, 
For  that  encreseth  vanetie, 

for  that  encreseth,  &c. 


If  to  seme  others  thow  be  bent, 
serue  with  goodwill,  and  be  content 

To  do  thy  lordes  commandement. 
Serue  trew  and  eeke  painfully, 

Do  not  delight  in  vanetie, 
do  not  delight,  &c. 

[12] 

But  if  thow  haue  men's  soules  in  cure, 
thy  charge  is  great,  I  thee  assure  ; 

In  wordes  and  deedes  thow  must  be  pure, 
all  vertue  must  abound  in  thee. 

Thow  must  eschew  all  vanetie, 
thow  must  eschew,  &c. 

[13] 

[Then  since  ye  do  perseve  right  clere, 
That  all  is  vayne  as  doth  apeere 
Lerne  to  bestow  while  thow  art  heere, 

Your  wyt,  your  powre,  your  landes,  your  fees  ; 

Lerne  to  bestow  thes  vanitees.] 


Yf  thou  be  stronge  and  faire  of  face, 
sikenes  or  age  doth  both  deface  ; 

Then  be  not  prowed  in  any  case  ; 
for  how  can  ther  more  follye  be, 

[i  i]  i  Stanza  1  1  is  not  in  H. 
[13]  i  Stanza  13  added  from  H. 
[14]  2  deface  :  disgrace  (//.,  P.).     Stanza  14  follows  stanza  8  in  //.  ; 
3  prowed  :  i.e.  proud. 

268 


O  MORTAL  MAN,  BEHOLD  AND  SEE 

Then  to  be  prowed  in  vanetie, 
then  to  be  proued,  &c. 

[15] 

Now,  finally,  be  not  infectt 

with  worldly  care,  but  haue  respect 

How  god  rewardes  his  trew  elect 
with  most  perfect  felicitie, 

Voide  of  all  worldly  vanetie, 
voide  of  all  worldly,  &c. 

[16] 

Now  let  vs  pray  to  god  aboue 

that  he  voutsaffe  our  harts  to  moue, 

Each  one  another  for  to  loue 
and  flye  from  all  inyquitie  ; 

So  shall  we  'voide  all  vanetie, 
so  shall  we  'voide  all  vanetie. 


[14]   5   For  to  be  prowed  in  P.  reads  for  to  host  of. 
[15]   3   rewardes  :  rewardth  (H.,  P.)  ;  4  with  glorious  felicitie  (P.)  ; 
5  Voide  of:  Fre  from  (H.,  P.). 

[16]  i  Stanza  16  is  not  in  H.  or  P.  ;   2  voutsaffe  :  i.e.  vouchsafe. 


269 


48 

Alas  how  long  shall  I  bewail 

Sloane  MS.  1896,  fols.  2  5-2  5  v.  This  ballad  is  evidently  incomplete. 
Its  interest  lies  in  the  fact  that  it  was  entered  in  the  Stationers'  Registers 
on  August  i,  1586  (several  years  after  the  MS.  was  written),  as  a  ballad 
called  "  a  Dialoge  betwene  Christ  and  a  sinner."  Similar  ballads 
abound  :  e.g.  "  a  Christian  conference  betwene  Christe  and  a  synner," 
registered  on  November  7,  1586,  printed  in  the  Roxburghe  Ballads,  III., 
1  64  ;  "A  Dialog  betweene  Christ  and  a  Sinner,"  two  poems  in  William 
Hunnis's  Comfortable  Dialogs  betweene  Christ  and  a  Sinner,  1583  [added 
to  his  Handfull  of  Honeysuckles,  pp.  51  ff.,  56  ff.]  ;  a  song  beginning 
"  Satan,  my  foe,  full  of  iniquity  "  in  John  Forbes's  Cantus,  Songs  and 
Fancies,  1666,  sig.  B  2. 

a  Dialogue  betmene  christe  anu  fyt  pore 
oppre00en 


[i]  SYNNER 

Alas,  how  long  shall  I  bewaile 

my  wofull  case  to  the[e]  ? 
O  lord,  how  long  shall  teares  complaine, 

and  yet  refused  be  ? 
Alas,  my  Christ,  hath  mercy  end 

that  scepter  vsde  to  beare  ? 
Hath  grace  forgot  his  wonted  trade, 

hath  pity  closde  her  eare  ? 

[2]  CHRIST 

Poore  synfull  soule  that  dost  bewaile 

thy  dolefull  case  to  me, 
Thoughe  long  the[e]  seme  thy  sute  delay'd, 

I  yet  refuse  not  the[e]. 

270 


ALAS  HOW  LONG  SHALL  I  BEWAIL 

No,  mercy  hath  not  end  for  ay, 

but  ruling  scepter  beares  ; 
Nor  grace  forgot  his  wonted  trade 

nor  pity  closde  her  eares. 

[3]  SYNNER 

Why,  then,  what  workes  this  cause  of  griefe, 

thine  absence  still  to  have  ? 
And  so  to  want  that  swetest  ioye 

that  most  my  soule  doth  crave  ? 
Thoughe,  dearest  christ,  confes  I  do 

my  soule  vnworthy  muche, 
To  f  ele  indede  possessing-wise 

thy  swetest  treasures  suche. 

[4]  CHRIST 
O  mourning  soule,  thoughe  cause  of  myne 

absence  bringes  indeede  griefe, 
It  is  not  the[e]  to  speale  of  Joye 

that  I  thus-wise  proceede  ; 
But  that,  by  feeling  thus  this  want, 

thou  might  st  be  forst  to  cry, 
And  therwith,  eke,  to  know  thy  selfe, 

and  sue  for  grace  on  hye. 


[4]  I  of  :  Line  ends  with  this  word  in  MS.,  myne  beginning  the  next  line  ; 
3  speale  :  i.e.  spiel  =  to  make  off  with,  to  deprive  of. 


271 


49 

There  is  no  man  so  lewd  of  life 

Sloane  MS.  1896,  fols.  26-2  7V.  There  is  no  stanza-division  in  the 
MS.  The  thoroughly  disheartened  early  Elizabethan  poet  who  wrote 
this  ballad  enumerates  not  only  venial  sins  that  masquerade  as  vices  but 
also  condemns  the  people's  craze  for  dancing,  fencing,  over-dressing,  and 
for  eating  imported  foods.  Especially  curious  and  interesting  are  the 
stanzas  (9-11)  which  describe  Elizabethan  styles  in  dress.  The  poet 
was  evidently  an  advocate  of  strict  sumptuary  laws,  and  he  would  have 
enjoyed  reading  "  An  excellent  newe  ballad  Declaringe  the  monsterous 
abuse  in  apparrell  and  the  intollerous  pride  nowe  a  daies  vsed,  &c.,"  that 
was  printed  in  December,  1594. 

etoerp  trice  crepetl)  in  bn[uer] 
name  ant)  stjeto  of  a  tmue. 


Ther  is  noe  man  so  lewde  of  lyfe, 

so  fond  in  fylthy  talke, 
That  doth  not  still  perswade  him  selfe 

in  perfect  path  to  walke. 
The  covetous  carle  whose  hart  and  hand 

doth  lust  and  reache  for  coyne, 
He  thinckes  it  is  a  glory  great 

his  bages  and  heapes  to  Joyne. 


And  Bacchus'  knight es  whose  grapy  bowe 
do  budde  with  in  their  braine, 

They  thincke  it  is  good  fellow-shippe 
in  ryot  to  remayne. 

[2]  i  bowe  :  i.e.  bough. 
272 


THERE  IS  NO  MAN  SO  LEWD  OF  LIFE 

The  lusty  laddes  whose  lecherous  lust 

their  wanton  ladyes  fele, 
Do  thincke  with  goddesse  for  to  spinne 

and  with  a  god  to  reele. 

[3] 

"  Tushe,  tushe,  whoe  would  not  take,"  say  they, 

"  dame  nature  for  his  guyde  ? 
And  we  from  nature's  wanton  will, 

we  know,  do  never  slyde  ; 
We  shewe  our  selves  we[e]  dwarf es  to  be 

in  doing  suche  a  dede, 
But  manly  mates  to  fyght  in  field 

when  England  shall  haue  nede. 

w 

"  We  store  the  realme  with  basterd  borne, 

to  help  our  natyve  soyle  ; 
Whose  strength,  since  parentes  were  so  strong, 

must  nedes  put  foes  to  foyle." 
The  Clyent  thinckes  he  geues  noe  more 

then  larges  do  requyre  ; 
The  lawyer  thinckes  he  takes  noe  more 

then  clyentes  would  desyre. 

[5] 

So  both  agre  to  swymme  in  synne 

or  lurcke  in  hell, — they  care  not  ; 
So  both  their  willes  be  brought  to  passe, 

for  wyly  wayes  they  spare  not. 
The  proude  doe  thincke  it  comlynesse 

to  vaunt  in  Jolly  Jagges, 
And  compteth  other  garmentes  all 

to  be  but  rotten  ragges. 

[4]  6  larges  :  i.e.  largess. 

s  273 


THERE  IS  NO  MAN  SO  LEWD  OF  LIFE 


The  ha[i]rbrain'd  heades  esteme  the  stoute 

but  cowherdes  in  the  fyeld, 
And  therfore  thincke  it  manlynesse 

at  noe  man's  sute  to  yeld  : 
The  lyver  by  extorcyon,  — 

whose  wealth  is  others'  woe,  — 
Hath  reasons  sound,  or  else  he  lyes, 

his  foes  to  ouerthrowe. 

[7] 

"  The  losse  to  ritche  is  small,"  saith  he, 

"  their  gaynes  were  great  e  of  late  ; 
The  poore  that  begge  devoute  men's  almes, 

it  kepeth  in  their  state  : 
The  myser  feeles  noe  hurt  by  stealth, 

for  he  doth  robbe  him  selfe, 
And  gathereth  goodes,  but  wantes  the  vse 

of  all  his  gotten  pelfe. 

[8] 

"  The  ryotous  man  which  to  the  dyce 

his  father's  landes  doth  send, 
I  helpe  to  throwe  a  losing  chaunce 

to  bring  him  to  his  end." 
Excesse  in  meate  is  Friendlynesse, 

so  names  do  vs  beguyld  ; 
Carouse  is  made  a  harty  draught, 

to  pynche  the  pottes  a  while. 

[9] 

And  fylthy  woordes  are  mery  iestes 

to  sporte  the  gestes  with  all  ; 
And  knavyshe  dedes  are  youthfull  toyes, 

which  still  in  youthe  doe  fall  ; 

[6]  5  lyver  :  perhaps  Th'  usurer.  [8]  6  beguyld  :  read  beguile 

274 


THERE  IS  NO  MAN  SO  LEWD  OF  LIFE 

Create  hose  be  comely  for  the  legge, 

and  makes  one  semely  cladde  ; 
French  e  cappes  are  nowe  the  fashion, 

and  therfore  must  be  had  ; 

.  [10]  ;; 

Pincke  pumpes  are  good  to  let  in  wynde, 

and  must  in  heate  be  worne  ; 
Cut  elbowes  are  as  coole  as  they, 

and  cannot  be  forborne  ; 
In  sommer  bumbast  makes  a  brest, 

wher  lately  ther  was  none,  — 
In  wynter  bumbast  kepes  from  cold, 

when  harvest  heate  is  gone. 


And  gaskins  now  are  worne  for  ease, 

to  stretche  both  leg  and  arme  ; 
Eache  one  hath  now  a  dagger  gotte 

to  save  himselfe  from  harme  ; 
A  handsome  hatte  is  not  without 

a  tassell  hanging  downe, 
And  custome  byddes  vs  now  to  weare 

a  felt  with  loftye  croune. 

[12] 

In  mockes  there  is  a  certaine  grace 

which  youthfull  youthes  doe  vse, 
And  will  somtymes,  for  want  of  foes, 

their  freindes  therwith  abuse. 
Now  should'ring  vp  of  symple  soules 

is  sign  bf  courage  bold  ; 
Now  hoary  heares  ar  in  contempt, 

their  age  is  doting  old. 

[10]   i  Pincke:  read  pink'd  ;   5  bumbast  =  a  stuffing. 
|f  1  2]  7  heares  :  i.e.  hairs. 

275 


THERE  IS  NO  MAN  SO  LEWD  OF  LIFE 

[13]   _ 
Nowe  dauncing  shewes  hir  good  effectes, 

to  hyde  her  lewde  conceiptes, 
And  Joyfull  lymmes  will  daunce  a  dumpe 

to  worcke  some  depe  deceiptes. 
Her  nymble  trickes,  her  capers  cros[s], 

do  well  become  our  feete, 
And  toes  that  earst  did  come  behinde 

againe  before  must  mete. 


Nowe  fencinge  must  be  vsde  and  had, 

our  foes  to  ouer  throwe 
With  sleightes  and  feates  of  reaching  armes 

to  strike  a  quarter  blowe, 
I  would  theise  fetches  were  the  worst 

that  england  nowe  doth  breede. 
But  all  the  world  can  scarse,  I  feare, 

our  rage  and  fury  feede. 

[15] 

Our  natyve  soyle  cannot  aforde 

suche  meates  as  may  content, 
But  shippes  must  seke  for  spanisbe  spice 

till  all  our  goodes  be  spent. 
God  make  vs  thanckefull  for  his  giftes, 

which  he  so  freely  doth  bestowe, 
Least  other  do  obtaine  our  wealth, 

which  will  them  selves  more  thankfull  shew. 


[15]  6  Read  which  freely  He  doth  bestow  ;  8  Omit  which  will, 


50 

What  way  is  best  for  man  to  choose 

Sloane  MS.  1896,  fols.  27v-z8v.  There  is  no  stanza-division  in  the 
MS.  The  melancholy,  pessimistic  tone  that  appealed  to  the  compiler 
of  the  MS.  finds  its  full  expression  in  this  ditty.  Stanzas  2-4  throw 
interesting  light  on  the  street-brawls  of  the  Elizabethan  period,  when 
the  phrase  "  More  work  for  the  Cutler  "  had  actual,  as  well  as  pro 
verbial,  significance  ;  but  in  the  remaining  stanzas  the  author  expresses 
the  futility  of  human  life  only  in  wise  saws  and  general  instances. 
Possibly  this  was  the  ballad  called  "  a  Dyscription  of  this  mortall  lyfe," 
licensed  for  publication  in  1561  (Arber's  Transcript,  I.,  175). 

's  tyfe  is  full  of  mpserp. 


What  way  is  best  for  man  to  chuse, 

what  path  to  lyve  in  rest  ? 
What  trade  of  lyfe  can  man  invent 

to  chose  or  lyke  for  best  ? 
Ther  is  not  one  amongst  them  all, 

so  pleasant  to  the  ey[e], 
Which  hath  not  thousand  thoughtes  and  cares 

to  ban  the  pleasures  bye. 


Abroad  the  cutlers  rule  the  roast, 

with  frayes  in  every  streate  ; 
And  daggers  drawen,  with  pearcing  pointes, 

in  tender  fleshe  doe  mete. 

[2]  i  rule  the  roast  :  i.e.  rule  the  roost,  a  proverbial  phrase  for  assuming 
authority  or  leadership. 

277 


WHAT  WAY  IS  BEST  FOR  MAN  TO  CHOOSE 

I  thincke  since  first  the  world  was  made 

and  fleshe  was  framed  out, 
Suche  losse  of  lyves  was  never  yet 

in  countreys  round  about. 

[3]  •        r:  ' 

Suche  searching  out  for  turkye  blades, 

of  highe  and  lofty  pryce, 
Doth  make  the  cutler  now-a-dayes 

alofte  in  wealth  to  rise. 
The  daggers  now  be  all  of  steele, 

to  flashe  and  cracke  the  croune, 
With  hikes  and  pommelles  pounced  out 

to  beate  their  neighbores  downe. 

w 

The  buckelers,  made  of  beastly  home, 

which  furious  hand  doth  grasp e, 
In  soke  must  lye  before  they  fight 

their  enmyes'  sword  to  claspe. 
And  theise  be  all  the  goodly  sightes 

which  we  in  stretes  can  fynde  : 
At  home  the  griefes  of  carking  cares 

do  pinche  our  wearyed  mynde. 

[5] 

Somtymes  we  feare  the  losse  of  house 

by  servauntes'  retchlesse  hede  ; 
Somtymes  we  spend  vp  all  our  gaynes, 

our  houshold  folkes  to  feede  : 
The  countrey  all  is  full  of  cares  ; 

and  plowes  must  play  their  parte, 
If  hoped  harvest  we  will  have 

to  glad  our  heavy  hart. 

[3]  7  pounced  :  i.e.  chased,  embossed. 
[4]  i  buckelers  :  i.e.  bucklers. 

278 


WHAT  WAY  IS  BEST  FOR  MAN  TO  CHOOSE 

[6] 
The  sease  be  full  of  ragged  rockes 

and  sands  to  sincke  thy  shippe  ; 
Whose  billowes,  beating  on  thy  barcke, 

doth  make  it  mount  and  skippe. 
If  thou  abounde  in  worldly  wealth 

and  bagges  be  stuffed  vppe, 
For  feare  of  sworde  or  flashing  flames, 

thou  canst  not  dyne  or  suppe. 

[7] 

Againe,  if  want  do  pynche  thy  purse 

when  naught  in  chestes  be  left, 
Then  wilt  thou  wishe  thy  bones  in  grave, 

and  lyfe,  with  purse,  bereft. 
If  thou  be  lynckt  in  maryage  knotte, 

whoe  can  expresse  thy  care  ? 
And  if  thou  have  noe  wyfe  at  all, 

full  simply  thou  shalt  fare. 

I  [8] 

To  fynde  thy  sonnes,  which  thou  hast  gotte, 

will  ask  great  paine  and  cost ; 
And  then  thou  semest  left  alone 

when  all  thy  sonnes  be  lost. 
If  youthfull  yeares  do  the[e]  beseke 

with  bewtyes  rytche  aray, 
Then  fancyes  fond  will  rage  in  head, 

for  youth  must  have  his  swaye. 

I  [9] 

If  crooked  age  have  dryed  thy  lymmes 

and  sucked  vp  thy  sappe, 
Then  hoary  heares  for[e]shew  that  death 

will  bring  his  fatall  happe. 

[6]  7  flashing:  MS.  flasyhing.  [8]  I  fynde  =  support. 

[9]  3  heares :  i.e.  hairs. 

279 


WHAT  WAY  IS  BEST  FOR  MAN  TO  CHOOSE 

What  then  is  left  for  man  to  wishe, 

thus  borne  and  nurst  in  griefe  ? 
What  comfort  shall  he  seke  on  earth, 

to  fynde  him  some  reliefe  I 

[10]  '  "  •      I 

The  best  is,  eyther  not  be  borne 

by  mother's  pensyve  payne  ; 
Or,  after  death,  from  whence  he  came 

straight-wayes  to  tourne  againe. 


280 


51    ' 

The  lord  that  guides  the  golden 
globe 

Sloane  MS.  1896,  fols.  30^31  v.  There  is  no  stanza-division  in  the 
MS.  The  ink  is  badly  faded.  This  ballad,  imploring  Englishmen 
"  born  of  Brutus'  s  blood  "  to  be  wise,  just,  and  attentive  to  reason's 
lore,  ends  with  a  heart-felt  prayer  for  Queen  Elizabeth,  part  of  which 
at  least  was  granted.  During  all  the  long  years  of  her  reign,  the 
Queen's  popularity  with  ballad-writers  was  unfailing. 

3lt  10  not  goD  but  w  our  seltoes  0efee 
eucrgion  of  our  own  country. 


The  lord  that  guydes  the  golden  globe 

hath  not  his  heavenly  army  sent 
To  lay  our  cityes  in  the  dust, 

nor  yet  at  them  their  batt'ry  bent  ; 
For  Pallas,  in  our  stately  tower, 

doth  stand  with  speare  and  shaken  shield, 
And  myghty  mar  s  hath  got  the  walks 

to  beate  them  downe,  that  will  not  yeld. 


M 

But  we  our  selves,  lyke  wretched  wightes, 
doe  seke  to  vndermyne  the  towne  ; 

A  civill  discord  hath  begonne 

to  make  our  walles  come  tumbling  downe. 

[Title]  euersion  =  overthrowing. 
28l 


THE  LORD  THAT  GUIDES 

By  wicked  thought  of  divelyshe  hart, 
we  still  provoke  our  god  to  yre  ; 

By  carelesse  lyfe,  we  him  procure 
to  wast  our  walles  with  flaming  fyre. 

[3]  _    '      - 

For  they  whose  hungre  is  for  gold 

and  thirst  for  silver's  shining  gaine, 
They  breake  the  lawes,  forsweare  the  faith, 

as  though  ther  wer  no  punishing  payne. 
Some  seke  by  force  of  bloudy  blade 

a  trade  of  lyving  to  beginne  ; 
Some  seke,  by  open  tirranny, 

the  princely  seate  and  lyfe  to  winne. 


. 

So  that  noe  marvaile  now  it  is, 

though  simple  soules  take  sword  in  hand, 
And  griefe  constraines  their  yerning  hartes 

to  ayd  and  help  their  native  land. 
Some  spoile  abrode,  and  bring  it  home, 

not  caring  how  they  winne  their  welth, 
And  leave  their  countrey  sicke  in  woe, 

dispairing  quyte  of  happy  health. 

[s] 

No  shiftes  be  left  for  getting  goodes  ; 

and  loke,  wher  force  will  not  prevayle, 
Ther  sleightes  and  pievyshe  pollicyes 

shall  geue  the  onset  and  assayle. 
They  bring  Astrea  in  contempt, 

and  iustice  can  them  never  fray, 
Her  power,  her  might,  her  maiesty, 

her  anger  doth  them  not  dismay. 

[5]  3  pievyshe  .  i.e.  peevish  ;  6  fray  =  frighten. 

282 


THE  GOLDEN  GLOBE 

[6] 
Yet  she  beholdes  their  wicked  woorckes, 

and  will  reward  when  tyme  shall  serve  : 
Eache  one  shall  then  receive  reward 

as  he  by  woorckes  doth  well  deserve  ; 
Thoughe  god  to  stay  his  heavy  hand 

from  powring  out  his  plagues  beneath, 
Yet  trust  the  sworde  shall  once  be  drawen, 

which  lyeth  nowe  so  depe  in  sheath. 

[7] 

Thoughe  he  be  close  within  his  cloudes, 

and  semes  to  mortall  men  to  slepe, 
Yet  doth  he  seke,  with  mighty  arme, 

his  glory  still  on  earth  to  kepe. 
The  longer  leave  that  he  doth  geue 

our  naught,  and  synfull  lyves,  to  mend, 
The  greater  plagues  one  careles  men 

his  armed  arme  shall  surely  send. 

[8] 
And,  therfore,  do  thou  not  thy  selfe 

with  faire  and  flattering  wordes  beguild, 
The  money  is  not  alwayes  lost, 

whose  payment  is  differd  a  while. 
Ye  Britaines,  borne  of  Brutus'  bloud, 

leave  of[f],  therfore,  to  walcke  at  will, 
That  all  your  woordes  and  deedes  may  be 

to  reason's  lore  attentive  still. 

[9] 

Then  god  will  blesse  this  litle  He 

with  corne  and  grasse,  in  plenteous  store, 

[6]  5  to  :  read  do. 

[7]  6  naught  and  :  possibly  read  naughty  ;  7  one  :  read  on. 

[8]  2  beguild  :  read  beguile  ;  4  differd  :  i.e.  deferred. 

283 


THE  LORD  THAT  GUIDES 

Then  peace,  as  it  hath  well  begonne, 
so  shall  it  flourishe  more  and  more. 

God  save  our  Quene  Ely-sabeth^ 
and  ayd  her  alwaies  at  her  nede, 

That  earth  may  bring  her  hartes  desyre, 
and  heavenly  foode  her  soule  may  fede. 

[10] 

God  graunt  full  long  her  noble  grace 

with  vs  in  England,  to  remayne, 
And  graunt  her  in  the  world  to  come 

with  the[e]  and  all  the  sainctes  to  raign  ; 
Wher  angelles  sing  suche  heavenly  songes, 

with  their  most  swetly-sounding  voyce, 
Where  all  the  cherfull  cherubins 

with  Joyfull  hart  and  mouth  reioise. 


284 


The  covetous  carl  when  greedy 
eyes 

Sloane  MS.  1896,  fols.  33-35.  There  is  no  stanza-division  in  the 
MS.  The  ballad  is  probably  "  a  ballett  agaynste  covetous[ness]," 
which  Owen  Rogers  licensed  on  October  30,  1560  (cf.  No.  15),  though, 
to  be  sure,  it  is  an  invective  rather  against  hoarding  than  against  covet- 
ousness.  Addressing  his  remarks  to  fathers,  the  balladist  urges  them  to 
'  spend  their  money  in  their  own  lifetime  rather  than  leave  it  for  idle  sons 
to  spend  lewdly,  thus  foreshadowing  Martin  Parker's  ballad  on  "  Gather- 
good  the  Father,  Scattergood  the  Son"  (Roxburghe  Ballads,  I.,  129). 
The  moral  is  emphatically  stated  in  stanzas  14-16.  But  whatever  point 
this  ballad  had  in  the  Elizabethan  age  has  been  removed,  one  may  well 
think,  by  our  inheritance,  income,  and  luxury  taxes. 

a  generall  Discourse  bpon  cotetousnesse. 


The  covetous  carle,  when  gredy  eyes 

the  glittering  gold  doth  blynde, 
Noe  place  so  safe,  noe  tyme  so  sure, 

that  doth  not  feare  his  mynde. 
At  table  tyme,  when  meate  and  drincke 

before  his  eyes  doth  stand, 
And  Gesse  declare  the  wondrous  workes 

that  chaunce  in  straungest  land  ; 


Suche  meate  and  drincke  he  doth  not  wey, 
they  can  him  not  content  ; 

[i]  4  feare  =  make  afraid  ;  7  Gesse  :  i.e.  guests. 
[2]  i  wey  :  i.e.  weigh. 

285 


THE  COVETOUS  CARL  WHEN  GREEDY  EYES 

For  all  the  ioyes  of  mery  mates 

his  mynde  will  not  relent, 
"  Alas,"  he  sayth,  "  that  blustring  prince 

which  one  the  windes  doth  reign, 
Hath  sent  his  impes  amongst  the  floudes 

to  teare  my  shippe  in  twayne  ; 

[3]  I 

"  Else  Neptune,  with  his  forcked  mace, 

hath  stroke  the  swelling  wave, 
Whose  fomyng  force  with  violence 

my  barcke  in  sonder  clave. 
And  thoughe  the  godes  should  be  my  freindes 

till  wyndes  and  waves  were  past, 
Yet  sandes  wold  sincke  my  shaken  shippe, 

and  make  it  sticke  full  fast. 

w 

"  Or  ragged  rockes  would  strike  her  syde[s], 

till  they  did  cleave  in  sonder  ; 
And  gaping  gulfes  would  get  alofte, 

till  all  my  goodes  were  vnder." 
And  thus  he  feares  his  goodes  abroad 

and  doubtes  their  safe  retourne  ; 
At  home  he  feares  Vulcamis  force, 

his  buildinges  brave  to  burne. 

[5] 

So  that  he  is  vnto  him  selfe 

the  cause  of  all  his  care  ; 
Whilest  he  in  hope  of  Nestor's  yeares, 

from  spending  still  doth  spare. 

[2]  4  relent  :  i.e.  soften  in  temper  ;   5  prince  :    i.e.  vEolus  ;    6  one 
read  on  ;  7  impes  =  children,  attendants. 
[3]  2  stroke  :  i.e.  struck. 
[4]  7  feares  Vulcamis :  read  feareth  Vulcan's. 
[5]  3  whilest  :  i.e.  whilst. 

286 


THE  COVETOUS  CARL  WHEN  GREEDY  EYES 

He  hath  enoughe,  yet  wanteth  all 

that  he  with  payne  hath  gotte, 
For  who  will  thincke  a  man  to  have 

the  thing  he  vseth  not  ? 

[6] 

Who  will  believe  him  satisfyed 

that  still  doth  thirst  for  drincke  ? 
Who  thinckes  that  ground  is  wet  enoughe 

wher  raine  doth  quickely  syncke  ? 
What  man  will  deme  his  cofers  full 

with  gripes  of  gotten  gold, 
If  that  his  chestes  and  cofers  yet 

a  greater  somme  would  hould  ? 

[7] 

Soe  whoe  can  well  accompt  him  rytche 

that  gapeth  still  for  gayne  ? — 
Althoughe  his  bagges  lye  strouting  full, 

and  so  in  chest  remayne. 
Yea,  lo[o]ke,  the  more  he  hath  of  goodes, 

the  more  he  wantes  of  fill ; 
Muche  lyke  the  dropsye  drye  desease 

that  craveth  water  still. 

I  [8] 

He  is  good  to  none,  yet  to  himselfe 

he  is  the  worst  of  all : 
His  goodes  do  never  profyt  one 

till  death  on  him  befall ; 
And  then  most  lyke  the  wrouting  sowe, 

which  never  bringeth  good 

5]  5  wanteth  :  i.e.  lacks. 

6]  6  gripes  =  handfuls ;  8  somme  :  i.e.  sum. 

7]  3  strouting  :  i.e.  strutting. 

8]  5  wrouting  sowe  :  i.e.  rooting  sow. 

287 


THE  COVETOUS  CARL  WHEN  GREEDY  EYES 

Till  meate  be  of  her  body  made 
by  letting  of  her  bloud, 


So  he  that  in  his  lyfe  was  naught, 

by  leaving  good  behinde, 
Hath  raked  vp  for  ryotus  sonnes 

their  lyfe  a  while  to  fynde. 
And,  lo[o]ke,  as  he  with  car[e]full  cloulthe 

did  scrape  his  goodes  together, 
So  they  will  send  them  out  agayne 

at  euery  tyde  and  weather. 

[10] 

Some  is  on  bancketes  brave  bestowed 

in  grocers'  sugred  shoppes  ; 
Some  hanges  in  neate  and  statly  house, 

with  brave  and  golden  knoppes ; 
Some  Bacchus  doth  devoure  in  cuppes, 

and  drincketh  all  away  : 
Yea,  freindes  carousing  to  and  froe 

bringes  heapes  vnto  decay. 

[»]  I 

When  Venus  shewes  her  darlinges  deare, 

which  earst  in  chambers  lay, 
And  do  them  selves  in  whoorishe  weedes 

before  their  eyes  display  : 
One  comes  with  wanton  lute  in  hand, 

in  hope  of  lucky  chaunce  ; 
Another  leades  about  the  house 

some  new  disguysed  daunce  ; 

[9]  4  fynde  =  to   support  ;    5   cloulthe  :   MS.  perhaps  cloulche.  Read 
clutch. 

[10]  i  bancketes  :  i.e.  banquets  ;  4  knoppes  :  i.e.  knobs. 

288 


THE  COVETOUS  CARL  WHEN  GREEDY  EYES 

[12] 

The  third  hath  fyngers  redy  lymde, 

whilest  youthes  do  tourne  aboute, 
To  catche  their  purses  in  her  clawes 

and  steale  the  money  out  ; 
The  fowerth,  the  5th,  and  all  the  rest 

of  all  the  lecherous  trayne 
Doth  bid  them  eyther  geve  their  goodes, 

or  else  they  shalbe  slayne. 

[13] 

This  is  the  end  of  goodes  ill  gott  : 

they  wilbe  lewdely  spent, 
And  as  they  safely  came  to  hand, 

so  swiftly  are  they  sent. 
Beware  therfore,  ye  mysers  all, 

and  learne  to  vse  your  owne, 
That  they  may  still  enioye  the  fruictes 

which  first  the  sedes  have  sowne. 


Who  could  abyde  to  play  the  asse 

with  dainties  one  his  backe, 
Yet  he  him  selfe  to  feed  one  thornes 

for  needy  hunger's  lacke  ?  — 
Then  vse  thy  gold  both  thou  and  thyne 

in  honest  state  to  fynde, 
For  sparing  fathers  oftentymes 

leave  spending  sonnes  behinde. 

[IS] 

Thou  thinck'st  by  hoording  vp  of  heapes 
thou  shalt  be  ritcher  still  : 

[12]    I    lymde  =  ready  for   pilfering;    lime-fingered  occurs    often  in 
Elizabethan  usage  ;   6  lecherous  :  MS.  lecherour  ? 
[14]  2,  3  one  :  i.e.  on. 

T  289 


THE  COVETOUS  CARL  WHEN  GREEDY  EYES 

Nay,  nay,  thou  art  more  pore,  indede, 

when  chestes  thou  sek'st  to  fyll ; 
For  whoe  is  ritche  ? — even  he  that  doth 

content  him  with  his  store  ; 
And  whoe  is  pore  ? — even  he  that  sekes 

to  gather  more  and  more. 

[16] 

The  vnthrifte  wilbe  quickely  pore 

when  tyme  shall  geue  him  leave  ; 
And  thou  thy  selfe  vnwittingly 

of  substaunce  dost  bereave  : 
Then  spend  thy  goodes  among  thy  freindes, 

whilest  lyfe  doth  lycense  lend, 
And  let  thy  sonnes  know  how  to  gett 

before  they  knowe  to  spend. 

[fini*.] 


290 


53 

Where  pensive  hearts  relieved  are 

Sloane  MS.  1896,  fols.  42,  43^44.  Because  on  fols.  42^43  an 
entirely  different  song  is  inserted,  the  copyist  has  written  in  the  margin 
of  stanza  i  ,  "  tourne  to  the  next  leafe  saue  one  fore  the  rest  of  this 
sonet."  The  "sonet"  is  a  delighful  little  poem  that  well  deserves 
rescuing  from  oblivion  :  I  have  met  with  no  printed  copy. 

a  jopfuU  con0olacon  tnfeer  Christ  10 
Iptortp  felt 


Wher  pensive  heartes  relieved  are 

with  dewes  of  grace, 
And  peace  succeedes  turmoyling  care 

and  takes  his  place, 
Ther  ioyfull  Joy  the  hart  doth  f  ede 
That  comfortes  swete  therout  precede, 
And  they  reioyce,  with  thankfull  voice, 

their  happy  case. 


Wher  christ  is  felt  in  lyvely  wise 

by  fayth  sincere, 
And  that  they  doe  with  inward  eyes 

behold  him  clear e, 
O  ther  the  soule,  with  Joy  repleate, 
Doth  crave  no  better  drincke  or  meate, 
But  wisheth  she  may  enioy  for  aye 

that  lyfe  most  deare. 

291 


WHERE  PENSIVE  HEARTS  RELIEVED  ARE 


. 

Wher  christ  embraceth  in  armes  of  love 

the  synfull  soule, 
And  eke  in  heavenly  booke  above 

his  name  enrowle, 

When  fayth,  perswaded,  feles  it  sure,  — 
What  turmoyles  then  may  grefe  procure  ? 
Suche  ioye,  by  grace,  triumphes  in  place, 

and  rappes  the  soule. 

w 

Wher  sence  of  christ  is  surely  had, 

as  sainctes  possesse, 
And  wher  the  hart,  with  grefe  sor[e]  clad, 

hath  swete  redresse, 
Oh  ther  they  feele  the  blisfull  gaine 
Of  pleasure,  tourn'd  from  pinching  paine, 
And  are,  therby,  enforst  to  crye 

with  thanckefullnesse. 

[5] 

Wher  sinfull  soule  persuasion  hath, 

when  she  doth  crave 
Of  freedome  from  deserved  wrath 

and  grace  to  have, 

Ther  dolefull  sighes  departe  their  way, 
And  Joyfull  hymnes  their  ioy  display  ; 
Yea,  god  hath  praise,  whpe  grauntes  alwayes- 

suche  soules  to  save. 

[6] 

Therfore,  thoughe  we,  o  blessed  lord, 

corrupted  be, 
And  merite  still  to  be  abhor'd, 

oh  wretches  we  ! 

[3]  8  rappes  :  i.e.  wraps. 
292 


WHERE  PENSIVE  HEARTS  RELIEVED  ARE 

Extend  thy  love,  extend  thy  grace, 
In  armes  of  mercy  vs  embrace, 
For  christe  we  pray  that  laude  we  may, 
both  him  and  the[e]. 


293 


54 

Should  my  poor  heart,  O  dearest 

Lord 

Sloane  MS.  1896,  fols.  44v-45. 

a  €l)ancfee0grt)ing  for  one  from  pertU  of 
re0tarea  to  former  fteattlj. 


Should  my  pore  hart,  o  dearest  lord, 
thy  goodnesse  greate  from  minde  reiect, 

Sith  thou  in  mercy  hast  restorde 

my  health,  whiche  long  thou  didst  correct  ? 

O  lord,  should  I  vnmyndefull  be 

of  theise,  thy  giftes,  bestowed  on  me  ? 


I  'knowledge,  lord,  protesting-wise, 

that  health  of  our  precedes  from  the[e], 

Therfore,  with  lifted  hart  and  eyes, 
I  beg'd  thy  grace  to  comfort  me  ; 

So  now  thou  hast  thus  cured  me, 

should  I  not,  therfore,  thanckefull  be  ? 

[3] 

Not  that  I  haue  suche  cause  to  love 
this  life,  alas,  with  greate  delight, 

But  rather  long  for  lyfe  above 
with  angelles  swete  to  gaine  thy  sight. 

But  sith  thy  will  is  suche  to  me, 

lord,  let  me,  therfore,  thanckefull  be. 

294 


SHOULD  MY  POOR  HEART 

W 

Let  me  thy  grace  in  mynd  retaine, 
yea,  all  thy  mercies  old  and  newe, 

That  thanckefull  so  I  may  remaine, 
and  fruictes  of  love  therout  ensue. 

Sith  thou  hast  done  so  muche  for  me, 
let  me  againe  yeld  thanckes  to  the[e]. 

Cs] 

Let  me  the  course  of  lyfe  direct 

thy  blessed  name  to  laude  and  praise, 

And,  lord,  vouchesafe  me  to  protect 
with  grace  of  thine  in  all  my  wayes ; 

That  then  I  may,  for  love  to  me, 
breake  out  againe  in  love  to  the[e]. 

[6] 

And  while  thou  shalt  this  life  maintaine, 
thoughe  feble  fayth  oft  stag'ring  reele, 

Graunt,  lord, — or  else  the  rest  were  vaine,- 
that  thy  swete  mercyes  I  may  fele  ; 

Which  are  most  deare,  o  christe,  to  me. 
Then  shall  I  alwaies  thanckfull  be. 


295 


:    .  '       55   it 

Dear  Christ,  my  poor  and  pensive 

breast 

Sloane  MS.  1896,  fols.  45-45  . 


0inne,  ano  ctatett)  parson  for  tfte  0ame. 


Deare  christe,  my  pore  and  pensive  brest 

I  wailing  lift  to  the[e]  ; 
Thy  chering  face,  swete  lord,  let  rest, 

and  tourne  thy  grace  to  me 
That  have,  alas,  offended  sore, 
Oh,  wo  is  hart  of  myne  therfore  ! 


. 

My  thoughtes  disperst  in  strugling-wise, 
now  here,  now  ther,  they  raunge, 

By  greedy  sight  of  wand'ring  eyes, 
alas,  to[o]  woondrous  straunge,  — 

Oh  that  I  might  from  strayeing  cease, 

And  the[e]  possesse,  my  Joye  and  peace. 

[3] 

O  that  thou  wouldest,  displeased  lord, 

thy  mercy  large  extend, 
Thoughe  I  deserve  to  be  abhor'd, 
that  dayly  so  offend. 

[3]  i  wouldest:  r^W  wouldst. 
296 


DEAR  CHRIST 

O  swetest  christe,  retourne  thy  face, 
And  me  relyeve  with  lokes  of  grace. 

[4] 

My  wretched  sinne  I  now  confesse, 

as  rightfull  cause  I  have  ; 
And  pardon,  lord,  with  swete  redresse 

in  fearfull  wise  I  crave. 
With  quaking  feare  my  body  chilles, 
And  wofull  teares  doune  trikling  trilles. 

|f          _         [5] 

Let  theise  the[e]  move  (o  mercy,  thou  !) 

that  mercy  hast  in  store, 
To  geve  and  graunt  thy  mercy  nowe 

to  me  that  synned  haue  sore. 
Thy  face  convert,  or  loe  !  I  dye, 
And  let  me,  lord,  obtaine  mercye. 

[6] 
Then  aulters  I  shall  make  and  raise, 

suche  as  thou  dost  requyre, 
And  offer  sacrifice  of  prayse, 

with  ever-burning  fyre. 
Yea,  never  then  my  lippes  shall  stay, 
But  thy  ritche  grace,  swete  christ,  display. 

tffnf*.] 

[5]  4  haue  :  changed  by  a  later  hand  to  had  ;   c;  convert  =  turn. 


297 


.56 

If  thou  wilt,  Lord,  extend  thy  grace 

Sloane  MS.  1896,  fols.  47-47v.     A  charming  little  pious  ditty  with 
a  conventional  refrain. 

a  prayer  of  one  being  afflictet)  toitt)  0inne. 


... 

If  thou  wilt,  lord,  extend  thy  grace, 

if  thou  wilt  yet  thy  favour  show 
To  chaunge  my  state  and  ruthfull  case, 

which  sence  of  sinne  enforcth  to  grow, 
I  vowe  and  promise,  then,  to  thee 

from  this  time  forth  more  ware  to  be. 

[2] 

But  dashe  me  not,  I  the[e]  desyer, 

thoughe  I  thus  oft  have  promyse  made, 

Nor  me  reiect  in  grievous  Ire, 
sith  I  repent  my  sinfull  trade, 

And  vowe  with  promise,  lord,  to  the[e] 
from  this  tyme  forth  more  ware  to  he. 

[3] 

Of  right  thou  mayest  my  soule  denye 

and  chase  me,  wretche,  from  mercies  throne^; 

But  canst  thou,  lord,  reiect  the  crye 
of  broken  heartes  that  sighe  and  grone  ? 

Yea,  vowe  and  promise,  lord,  to  the[e] 
from  this  time  forth  more  ware  to  he. 

[2]  2  thus  :  MS.  thue.  [3]  I  mayest  :  i.e.  may'st. 

298 


IF  THOU  WILT,  LORD,  EXTEND  THY  GRACE 

[4] 

Thoughe  blust'ring  storme  and  tempest  great, 
confounding- wise,  my  soule  assayle, 

Which  flatt  to  Pluto's  gulfe  me  beate, 
yet  mercy,  lord,  least  theise  prevaile. 

Then  vow  and  promise,  lord,  to  the[e] 
from  this  time  forth  more  ware  to  be. 

[5] 

Thy  heavy  wrath  so  heavy  lyes 

(which  guilt  of  myne  deserveth  right) 

That  vp  to  heaven  resound  my  cries 
for  grace,  that  else  am  damned  quyte  ; 

Which  graunted,  lord,  I  vow  to  the[e] 
from  this  ty  me  for  the  more  ware  to  be. 

[6] 

And  thus  my  dolfull  sute  I  end  ; 

let  me  atchive  that  I  desyer. 
Then  shall  my  dolfull  state  amend, 

and  I  to  comfort  swete  aspyre ; 
And  for  thy  grace  thus  geven  to  me, 

from  this  time  forth  still  thankfull  be. 

tftattj 

[4]  4  least  :  i.e.  lest. 


299 


57 

Judge  me  not,  Lord,  in  wrathful  ire 

Sloane  MS.   1896,  fols.  48^49.     The  ink  is  badly  faded,   and   in 
stanzas  6  and  7  is  almost  indecipherable. 


guilty  conscience,  acfenotnle&ging 
t)er  sinne,  cratett)  partion  for  ttie  0ame, 
apealing  from  justice  tnto  mercpe. 


Judge  me  not,  lord,  in  wrathfull  Ire, 

ne  yet  reiect  me  vtterly, 
But  way  my  ruthfull  hartes  desyer 

that  pantes,  alas,  dispairingly  ; 
For  feare  of  thy  displeasure  greate, 
O  lord,  in  mercy  me  entreate. 


My  wretched  synne,  as  david  cryes, 
lyke  mountaine  huge,  alas  and  woe, 

Before  my  face,  in  lothsome  wise, 
remaynes,  and  me  amaseth  so 

That  feare  (o  wretche)  oppresth  me  still. 

But,  lord,  let  mercy  rule  thy  will. 


[3] 

Loke  not  one  my  deformed  synne, 
nor  to[o]  precisely  viewe  my  case, 


[i]  3  way  :  i.e.  weigh. 


[3]  i  one  read  on, 


3OO 


JUDGE  ME  NOT,  LORD,  IN  WRATHFUL  IRE 

For  from  corrupted  hart  within 

what  fruictes  corrupt  in  me  have  place  ! 
I  dye  for  feare  (o  Justice,  thou), 
Extend,  therefore,  thy  mercy  nowe. 


w 

And  enter  not  thy  Judgement  throne 
to  Judge  by  Justice'  scales,  alas  ! 

Am  I  so  right  (what,  I  alone  ?) 

that  thou  shouldst  bring  it  thus  to  passe  ? 

Sith  that  all  flesh  quailes  in  thy  sight, 

How  should  I,  then,  be  Just  and  right  ? 


[5] 

To  mercies  sentence,  therfore,  lord, 
I  now  appealle ;  o  mercy  graunt, 

That  I  may  feele  thy  swete  accord, 
and  boldly,  then,  bid  Sathan  vaunt  ; 

Who  now  turmoyles  me  in  dispaire, 

And  drounes  my  soule  in  dreadfull  care. 


[6] 

Sith  blame  I  do,  in  earnest  wise, 
my  wretched  heart,  offending  so, 

And  sith  to  the[e]  I  tourne  myne  eyes, 
in  this  distresse  to  cure  my  woe, 

Thy  grace  and  mercy,  lord,  extend, 

My  ruthfull  plight  so  to  amend. 


[7] 

And  let  me  tast  thy  goodnes  swete, 
which  cruell  synne  hath  reft  me  long, 

301 


JUDGE  ME  NOT,  LORD,  IN  WRATHFUL  IRE 

Then  shall  my  soule  be  made  full  mete 
to  spread  ihy  praise  in  cherfull  song. 
Grant  this,  therfore,  o  father  good, 
I  the[e]  beseche  for  Christ  his  blood. 


tftnt*.] 


302 


What  cause  there  /If,  alas,  to  wail 

Sloane  MS.  1  896,  fols.  49-49  v. 


toretcfte&nesse  of  man's  estate  taitill 
tetiresge  ana  comfort  come  from 


What  cause  ther  is,  alas,  to  waile 
the  wretched  wofull  state, 

Wherin  we  (sowsing)  plunged  lye 
in  wretched,  wofull  rate  ; 


Whose  heart  cannot  conceive  at  full, 

whose  eyes  not  clearly  se, 
That  wayes  the  state  where  in  we  were, 

and  vewes  what  now  we  be. 


[3] 

By  synne  bereft,  and  spoyled  quyte, 

of  noble  treasures  all, 
Which  nature  had,  in  noble  wise, 

before  that  ruthfull  fall. 

[i]  3  sowsing  :  i.e.  sousing  =  soaking,  drenched. 

[2]  2  clearly  :  MS.  crearly  ;  3  wayes  :  i.e.  weighs ;  where  in  we  were  : 
MS.  blurred  and  ink  badly  faded  here,  but  these  four  words  can  be 
deciphered. 

[3]  i  spoyled  =  despoiled. 

303 


WHAT  CAUSE  THERE  IS,  ALAS,  TO  WAIL 

'    '      '*'       \  W 

In-stead  of  which  (o  cursed  chaunge  !) 

corrupcon  is  infusde, 
And  vices  reign  for  giftes  devine, 

thus  Satban  vs  abusde. 

[5] 

Among  them  all  (for  many  be), 
as  Judgement  shewes  it  cleare, 

The  frosen,  flynty  hartes  of  ours, 
me  thinkes,  do  straunge  appeare. 

[6] 

Corrupcon  added  hath  to  them 

suche  steely  hardnesse  nowe, 
That  naught  can  bring  at  all  remorse, 

nor  ought  suffise  to  bowe  ; 


Or  pierce  theise  rockes,  these  stony  flintes, 

at  least  to  make  them  softe, 
But  heavenly  showers  alone  may  help 

by  their  distilling  ofte. 

[8] 

Yet  meanes  are  made,  and  'pointed,  to[o], 

by  him  that  heavenly  is, 
For  earthly  men  to  put  in  proufe  ; 

and  chefe  of  those  are  this  :  — 


To  read,  to  thincke,  to  muse  and  way, 

of  cbriste  the  bytter  payne, 
His  passion,  panges,  and  tormentes  large, 

to  view  them  all  againe. 

304 


WHAT  CAUSE  THERE  IS,  ALAS,  TO  WAIL 

[10] 


^And  therwith,  eke,  to  beare  the  cause 

of  all  this  griefe  in  mynde, 
For  vs  that  damned  were  by  synne 
that  we  release  may  fynde. 


This,  this  should  melt  the  frosen  hart, 
this  same  should  pierce  the  flintes, 

And  bring  vs  ioye  and  make  our  mouthes 
with  prayses  not  to  stint. 

tfinte.] 


u  305 


'59 

In  rage  of  storm  and  tempests  all 

Sloane  MS.  1896,  fols.  49V-5OV.     The  refrain  presents  rather  a 
picture. 

JDotn  fcappp  anfc  agguret)  ttyp  arc,  in  all 
gtormos,  tfcat  ffrmelp  DepettD  tpon  gon, 

M 

In  rage  of  storme  and  tempestes  all, 
which  syn  or  Sathan  vp  doth  raise 

To  beate  the[e]  doune,  to  make  the[e]  fall, 
pore  soule,  for  ayd  in  theise  assayes, 

Flee  to  thy  heavenly  father's  will 

That  situs  betwene  the  cherubbes  still. 


Comfort  thy  selfe  in  all  distresse, 
sith  god  supreamely  scepture  beares  ; 

Who  can  and  will  give  swete  redresse, 
and  cleane  dispatche  all  cause  of  teares. 

Oh,  therfore,  stay  vpon  his  will 

Who  sittes  betwene  the  Cherubbes  still. 

[3] 

What  thoughe  we  feele  our  weakenes  so 
that  ofte  we  slippe  (oh  wretches  we  !)  ; 

From  god  and  christe  why  should  we  goe, 
sith  fleshe  from  sinne  cannot  be  fre  ? 

Nay,  runne,  pore  soule,  vnto  his  will 

That  sitts  betwene  the  cherubbes  still. 

306 


IN  RAGE  OF  STORM  AND  TEMPESTS  ALL 

M 

Confesse  thy  faulte,  and  pardon  crave  ; 

appeale  to  grace  in  constant  wise, 
And  so  be  sure  thy  sute  to  have  ; 

and  then  sho[u]te  forth,  with  ioyfull  cryes : 
"  My  god,  with  lyfe  praise  the[e]  I  will, 
That  sittes  betwene  the  cherubbes  still." 


[5] 

This  done,  let  synne  and  Sathan  rage  ; 

yea,  thoughe  they  breake  them  selves  with  spit[e]  ; 
With  all  that  fowle  and  vgly  rage 

nought  can  they  doe  but  take  their  fligh[t], 
And  in  noe  wise  resist  his  will 
That  sittes  betwene  the  cherubbes  still. 


[6] 

Oh,  happy  soule,  that  canst  believe 
and  stay  thy  selfe  one  him  therfore, 

Thoughe  grawing  synne  cease  not  to  greve, 
yet  happy  thou  for  evermore  ; 

•Sith  sure  thou  art  of  his  good  will 

That  sittes  betwene  the  cherubbes  still. 


t7] 

then  with  Davyd  take  thy  rest, 
slepe  thou  with  Peter  quietly. 
Repose  thy  head  on  that  swete  brest 
wher  happy  John  was  wont  to  lye. 
Yea,  stay  one  god  thy  father's  will 
Who  sittes  betwene  the  cherubbes  still. 

j]  2  spite  :  e  cut  off  by  the  binder  ;  4  flight :  /  cut  off  by  the  binder. 
^6]  2  one  :  read  on  ;   3  grawing  :  obsolete  form  of  growing. 
7]  5  one  :  read  on. 

307 


IN  RAGE  OF  STORM  AND  TEMPESTS  ALL 

[8] 

And  while  one  earth  thou  shalt  remaine 
till  thou  to  heaven  assumpted  be, 

For  love  love  god  and  christ  againe, 
let  hart,  let  tongue,  let  lyfe  agre, — 

To  spread  his  mercy  and  good  will, 

To  whome  be  praise  and  honor  still. 

OffcfoJ 

[8]  i  one  :  read  on. 


308 


6o 

Till  Christ  our  Lord  return 

Sloane  MS.   1896,  fols.  5i-5iv.     This  Protestant  ballad  should  be 

mpared  with  the  Catholic  ballads  on  the  same  subject  printed  earlier 

this  volume.     It  is  a  bit  unusual  to  find  a  ballad  actually  praying  for 

the  Judgment  Day,  though  ballad-writers  often  characterized  the  world 

s*a  vale  of  tears  and  sin,  with  an  ominous  Doomsday  close  at  hand. 

faittifull  Despre,  according  to  goD'0 
to  mafee  etrtange  of  earttj  for 
,  ant)  tberfot  mi0t)  tlje  coming  of 

cbritt. 


Till  Christe  our  lorde  retourne 
to  throne  his  sainctes  in  blesse, 

We  must  content  our  selves 
with  griefe  and  pensivenesse. 


For  earth  wheron  we  byde, 
this  world  wherin  we  dwell, 

Wilbe  noe  heaven  nor  resting  place, 
as  wofull  chaunges  tell. 

[3] 

Nought  here,  alas,  so  sure 

but  melting  vades  awaye  : 
Our  gaine  is  griefe,  our  life  is  losse, 

all  which  my  hart  dismay. 
[i]  2  blesse  :  i.e.  bliss.  [3]  2  vades  :  i.e.  fades. 

309 


TILL  CHRIST  OUR  LORD  RETURN 

W 

For  meerly  vaine,  alas, 

theise  thing  es  on  earth  we  try  ; 
What  then,  should  those  that  heaven  desire 

on  earth  turmoyling  lye  ? 

[5] 

But  shriking  clamours  send 

from  pore  distresfull  hart, 
That  christ  from  heaven  will  come  with  spede 

to  end  this  earthly  smart  ; 


That  then  the  carfull  toyle, 

of  those  that  banisht  be 
By  earth  from  heaven  may  throughly  cease, 

and  they  from  griefe  set  free  ; 

[7] 

That  wofull  plaintes  may  end, 
which  worldly  happes  procure  ; 

That  sinne  may  cease  and  saintes  possesse 
those  ioyes  that  aye  endure  ; 

[8] 
.That  thine  redemed  deare, 

with  bloud  to  the[e]  most  swete, 
May  the[e]  enioye  in  heavenly  reign, 

thoughe  they,  alas,  vnmete. 

[9] 

O  ryeve  the  heavens  in  twaine, 

breake  out  throughe  toppes  of  skye, 

[4]  3  What  :  read  why. 

[6]  i  carfull  :  i.e.  careful  ;   3  throughly  :  i.e.  thoroughly. 

[9]  i  ryeve  :  i.e.  reave. 

310 


TILL  CHRIST  OUR  LORD  RETURN 

Let  Angell  sound  his  trump e  with  spede, 
oh  shewe  thy  selfe  on  hye  ! 

[10] 

With  armes  bespread  embrace 

thy  saintes  that  then  apere, 
And  let  them  yeld  eternall  praise 

to  the[e],  their  lord  most  deare. 

[JKttfeJ 


6i 

Alas,  for  shame,  how  dare  I  sue 

Sloane  MS.  1896,  fols.  5J-53V. 

ctje  0pner,  being  ashmen  of  triis  gpnne, 
Daretti  tjar&ty  crate  reteaee  for  ttie  same. 


Alas,  for  shame,  how  dare  I  sue 
to  the[e],  my  god,  for  grace  ? 

How  dare  I  (wretche)  present  my  selfe, 
how  dare  I  shew  my  face  ? 


That  so  polluted  am  with  synne, 

that  so  offended  have 
My  dearest  god,  in  heaped-wise, 

how  dare  I  pardon  crave  ? 

[3] 

How  dare  I  lyft  my  synfull  hart 
and  synfull  eyes  to  the[e]  ? 

0  wretche,  howe  dare  I  thus  presume  ? 
alas,  for  shame  I  flee. 

w 

1  dare  not,  lord,  my  god,  my  christ  \  — 
"  Why,  man,  what  hast  thou  done, 

That  thus  oppressing  feare  and  sham[e] 
from  me  should  cause  the[e]  runne  ? 

[4]  2-4  Represented  as  being  words  spoken  by  God. 

312 


ALAS,  FOR  SHAME,  HOW  DARE  I  SUE 

[5] 

Ah,  luring  synne  with  tysing  speache 
hath  caught  my  soule  in  snare, 

As  oft  before,  yet  could  I  not, 
vnhappy  man,  beware 

[6] 

To  shunne  her  cruell,  bayted  hooke, 

her  lure  did  so  provoke, 
Whose  pleasures  while  I  thought  to  tast, 

I  caught  her  deadly  stroke  ; 

[7] 

That  wounded  hath  my  wofull  soule, 

yea,  pierst  my  synfull  heart, 
And  reft  me  of  my  swetest  ioye, 

with  plunge  of  deadly  smart. 

[8] 

And  yet  I  dare  not  seke  redresse, 

I  dare  not  sue  for  ayde  ; 
So  shame  and  feare  doth  hold  me  back, 

and  kepe  my  hart  dismayed. 

[9] 

Howbeyt,  except  his  grace  I  crave, 

and,  sueng,  seke  redresse, 
The  wound  of  synne  is  suche,  that  dye 

I  must,  in  this  distresse. 

[10] 

And,  therfore,  payne  and  perill  both, 
encount'ring  feare  and  shame, 

Have  vanquisht  both,  and  forst  me  (loe  !) 
to  beg  in  christ  his  name. 

[5]  I  tysing  =  enticing. 

3*3 


ALAS,  FOR  SHAME,  HOW  DARE  I  SUE 


Now,  therfore,  lord,  and  father  deare, 

my  often  synnes  forgeve, 
And  cure  my  Justly  pinched  soule, 

let  mercy  it  relyeve. 

[12] 

With  depest  hart-rote  sighes,  I  crave 
that  grace  of  thine  in  the[e] 

May  cleane  remytt  and  pardon,  lord, 
this  synne  of  myne  in  me. 

[13] 

And  that  I  may,  in  feeling-wise, 

so  feele  thy  swetest  grace, 
That  ioyfull  hart  may  thankfull  be 

while  lyfe  in  me  hath  place. 

Dffttf*.] 
[12]  I  hart-rote  :  i.e.  heart-root. 


62 

As  I  on  New  Year's  Day 

Sloane  MS.  1  896,  fols.  29-30.  This  ballad  may  have  been  that  called  : 
(l)  "xij  wittie  warninges  shewinge  faultes  to  be  Refrained,"  entered  in 
the  Stationers'  Registers  on  September  18,  1579  ;  and  (2)  the  "Dozen 
of  pointes"  entered  for  transfer  on  December  14,  1624,  although  there 
is  extant  a  printed  ballad,  on  a  different  subject,  with  that  title  (Roxburgke 
Ballads,  VII.,  780).  It  is  printed  from  this  MS.,  somewhat  inappro 
priately,  in  F.  W.  Fairholt's  Satirical  Songs  and  Poems  on  Costume,  Percy 
Society,  XXVII.  (1849),  79'83»  —  tne  onty  piece,  I  believe,  hitherto 
reprinted  from  the  MS.  Fairholt  thought  that  the  ballad  was  alluded 
to  by  Ben  Jonson  in  Bartholomew  Fair,  II.,  iv.  ;  but  the  allusion  is  not 
altogether  certain.  Cf.  also  Roxburghe  Ballads,  VII.,  823. 

Fairings,  gifts  bought  at  a  fair,  often  "  posies  "  and  "  points  "  like 
this  ballad,  were  enormously  popular.  Very  many  such  ballads  are 
entered  in  the  Stationers'  Registers,  and  a  number  are  preserved.  For 
example,  ballads  called  "  The  newe  married  wyfes  fayringe  "  and  "  a 
maydes  lamentacon  for  lack  of  a  fayringe,"  originally  licensed  on  June  26, 
1  594,  were  relicensed  by  an  enterprising  printer  for  "  timely  "  publica 
tion  on  August  21,  just  before  Bartholomew  Fair  was  to  be  held.  The 
present  ballad  is  an  excellent  example  of  the  type.  With  it  may  be 
compared  George  Whetstone's  "  Verses  written  of  20.  good  precepts,  at 
the  request  of  his  Especiall  good  freend  and  kinseman,  M.  Robart  Cudden 
of  Grayes  Inne,"  printed  in  the  Paradise  of  Dainty  Devises  (Collier's 
reprint,  pp.  1  1  8  ff.).  Whetstone's  points  are  "  shun  many  words," 
"  be  merciful,"  "  cherish  the  poor,"  "  serve  God,"  "  obey  thy  Prince,"  etc. 

a  Da00en  of  patnte0,  sent  bp  a  gentle- 

woman  to  tier  later  far  a  nea  peare0 

gifte, 


As  I  on  new  yeare's  day 

did  walcke  amidst  the  streate, 

My  restlesse  eyes  for  you,  my  hart, 
did  seke  a  fayring  mete. 

315 


AS  I  ON  NEW  YEAR'S  DAY 


I  sercht  throughout  the  faire, 
but  nothing  could  I  fynde. 

No,  no,  of  all  ther  was  not  one 
that  would  content  my  mynde. 


[3] 

But  all  the  boothes  wer  filled 
with  fancyes  fond  attyre, 

And  trifling  toyes  were  set  to  sale 
for  them  that  would  requyre. 


W 

Then  to  my  selfe  quoth  I, 

"  what  meanes  theise  childish  knackes  ? 
Is  all  the  faire  for  children  made 

or  fooles  that  babies  lackes  ? 


[5] 

"  Are  theise  the  goodly  giftes, 

the  new  yeare  to  beginne, 
Which  friendes  present  vnto  their  freindes 

their  fayth  and  love  to  winne  ? 


[6] 
"  I  se[e]  I  came  in  vayne, 

my  labour  all  is  lost, 
I  will  departe  and  kepe  my  purse 

from  making  any  cost." 

[5]   2   new  yeare  :   Began  in  England   on   March  25  down  to  the 
year  1752. 

316 


AS  I  ON  NEW  YEAR'S  DAY 

[7] 

But  se[e]  my  happy  chaunce  : 

whilest  I  did  hast  away, 
Dame  vertue  doth  display  her  booth 

my  hasty  feete  to  stay. 

[8] 

I,  Joyfull  of  the  sight, 
did  preace  vnto  the  place 

To  se[e]  the  tricke  and  trimmed  tent 
for  suche  a  ladyes  grace. 

[9] 

And  after  I  had  viewed 

cache  thing  within  her  seate, 

I  found  a  knotte  of  perlesse  pointes, 
beset  with  posyes  neate. 


Theise  pointes,  in  number  twelve, 
did  shew  them  selves  to  be  ; 

The  sence  wherof,  by  poetes  skill, 
I  will  declare  to  the[e]. 


1.  With  meate  before  the[e]  set, 

suffise  but  nature's  scant  ; 

2.  Be  sure  thy  tongue  at  table  tyme 

noe  sober  talke  doe  want. 

[12] 

3.  Let  word,  let  thought  and  dede, 

in  honest  wise  agree  ; 

[8]  2  preace  :  i.e.  press. 

[9]  4  posyes  :  i.e.  posies  =  brief  mottoes,  or  maxims,  in  verse. 

317 


AS  I  ON  NEW  YEAR'S  DAY 

4.  And  loke  that  pore  in  tyme  of  nede 
thy  helping  hand  may  see. 


5.  When  foes  invade  the  realme, 

then  shew  thy  might  and  strength  ; 

6.  Tell  truth  in  place  wher  thou  dost  come, 

for  falshed  failes  at  length. 


7.  Be  fast  and  firme  to  freinde, 

as  thou  wouldest  him  to  be  ; 

8.  Be  shamefast  ther  wher  shamfull  dedes 

be  offred  vnto  the[e]. 

[15] 

9.  Weare  not  suche  costly  clothes 

as  are  not  for  thy  state  ; 

10.  Heare  eache  man's  cause  as  thoh  he  wer 

in  wealth  thine  equall  mate. 

[16] 

11.  In  place  thy  manners  shewe, 

in  right  and  comly  wyse  ; 

12.  From  the[e]  let  peace  and  quietnesse, 

and  wars  from  others,  ryse. 

[17] 

With  theise  12  vertuous  pointes, 
se[e]  thou  do  tye  the[e]  round  ; 

And  lyke  and  love  this  simple  gifte 
till  better  may  be  found. 

[13]  4  falshed  :  i.e.  falsehood. 

[14]  2  wouldest:  read  wouldst  ;   3  shamefast  =  modest,  virtuous. 
[17]  i,  [18]  i  pointes,  point  :   Here/w'ff/  assumes  the  ordinary  Eli; 
bethan  meaning  of  tagged  laces  used  to  attach  the  hose  to  the  doublet. 

318 


AS  I  ON  NEW  YEAR'S  DAY 

[18] 

Yet  one  point  thou  dost  lacke 
to  tye  thy  hose  before : 

Love  me  as  I  love  the[e]  and  shall 
from  hence  for  evermore. 


63  ''• 

Though  others  have  their  sight 
at  will 


Sloane  MS.  1896,  fol.  30.  In  this  very  pretty  ditty  a  pious  author 
offers  a  consolation  for  blindness  that  may  possibly  have  been  efficacious. 
At  any  rate,  it  has  the  merit  of  novelty  —  if  of  specious  logic. 


a  comfort  tonto  fctm  ttiat  is 


Though  other[s]  have  their  syght  at  will, 
with  vayne  delightes  their  mynde  to  fill  ; 

Yet  when  the  day  is  Passed  away, 
the  night  her  pleasures  doth  display. 

Then  blynd  doth  se  as  well  as  he 
that  hath  most  perfecte  eyes  to  se. 


The  losse  of  eyes  is  losse  of  vyce, 

which  throughe  the  eyes  in  hart  doth  rise  : 
The  eyes  do  kindle  first  the  flame, 

and  hart  doth  nourishe  vp  the  same  ; 
But  blyndenesse  cannot  onse  perceyve, 

with  folly,  reason  to  disceyve. 


[3] 

O  happy  troye  haddest  thou  bene, 
if  eyes  fayre  Helene  had  not  sene  ; 

[i]  i  Though:  MS.  thought.  [3]  I  haddest:  read  hadst. 

320 


THOUGH  OTHERS  HAVE  THEIR  SIGHT 

The  mighty  walks  might  yet  haue  stood, 
which  Greece  destroyed  in  angry  mo[o]de  I 

In  fame  thou,  Lucrece,  mightst  haue  died, 
if  Tarquyne  had  the[e]  not  espyed. 

w 

Thus  eyes  are  workers  of  our  woe, 

still  seking  vs  to  overthrowe ; 
And  semely  sightes  that  shew  so  gay 

be  framinge  of  our  depe  decay. 
And,  therfore,  happy  thrice  is  he 

which  synfull  sightes  could  never  se. 


321 


64 

Fain  would  I  have  a  pretty  thing 

MS.  Rawlinson  Poet.  108,  fol.  44.     This  ballad,  with  two  additioi 
stanzas,  is  printed  in  Clement  Robinson's  Handfull  of  Pleasant  Delights, 
1584  (ed.  Edward  Arber,  p.  50).     The  exceptional  interest  taken  i 
this  poetical  miscellany  (extant  in  a  single  imperfect  copy  at  the  Brith 
Museum)  from  Shakespeare's  day  to  the  present  time,  as  well  as  the  fad 
that  only  one  other  ballad  in  the  Handfull  has  as  yet  been  met  with  in  z 
second  copy,  urges  the  reprinting  of  this  MS.  version, — itself  approxi 
mately  contemporary  with  the  Handfull, — which  was  made   from  at 
entirely    different    broadside    and    which    furnishes    a    few    interesting 
variant  readings.     In  the  Handfull  (H.)  the  first  stanza  is  repeated  as 
chorus  at  the  conclusion  of  each  of  the  nine  other  stanzas. 

In  MS.  Ashmole  48  (Thomas  Wright's  Songs  and  Ballads,  Roxbui 
Club,  p.   195)  there  is  a  ballad  on  Troilus  and  Cressida,  registered  ii 
1565-66  (Arber's  Transcript,  I.,   300),  "To  the  tune  of  Fayne  wool< 
I  fynd  sum  pretty  thynge   to  geeve  unto  my  lady,"  a  tune  withou 
question  named  from  the  present  ballad.     (Cf.  also  Popular  Music,  I.,  91.) 
A  moralization  of  the  ballad,  too,  entitled  "  A  fayne  wolde  I  have 
godly  thynge  to  shewe  vnto  my  ladye,"  was  licensed  in  1566-67  (Arbei 
Transcript,  I.,  340),  while  a  further  moral  parody,  "fayne  wolde  I  hai 
a  vertuous  wyfe  adourned  with  all  modeste  bothe  mylde  and  meke 
quyett  lyf  esteemynge  chef  hyr  chastetye,"  licensed  in  the  same  y< 
(ibid.,  p.  342),  shows  how  extensive  was  its  popularity. 


[a  proper  ®ong,  3(ntituUt>:  jfain 
31  ftaue  a  pretfe  tiring  to  giue  tonto  mp 


To  the  Tune  of  lustye  gallaunt. 


Fayne  wold  I  haue  a  pretye  thinge 

to  geue  vnto  my  ladye. 
I  meane  no  hurt,  I  meane  no  harme, 

but  as  pretye  a  thinge  as  may  be. 
Title  from  H.     [i]  3  I  name  no  thing,  nor  I  meane  no  thing  (//.). 

322 


FAIN  WOULD  I  HAVE  A  PRETTY  THING 

[2] 

Twentye  lourneyes  wold  I  make, 
and  twentye  ways  goo  hye  me, 

To  geue  adventures  for  her  sake, 
to  sett  some  matter  by  me. 


Some  do  longe  for  pretye  knackes, 
and  some  for  strange  devises  ; 

God  send  me  that  my  ladye  lakes, 
I  care  not  what  the  p[r]ice  is. 


Some  go  here,  and  some  go  there, 
where  gapings  be  not  geason  ; 

And  I  goo  wandringe  euer  where, 
and  styll  come  owt  of  season. 


[I  walke  the  towne,  and  tread  the  streete, 

in  euery  corner  seeking  : 
The  pretie  thinge  I  cannot  meete, 

that's  for  my  Ladies  liking.] 

I  [6] 

The  mercers  pull  me  goynge  by, 

the  sylke  wyffes  say,  "  what  lake  you  ?  " 

"  A  thinge  that  you  haue  not,"  say  I, 
"  you  folyshe  fooles,  go  packe  you." 

I  [7] 

Yt  is  not  all  the  gold  in  cheape, 
nor  all  the  golden  treasure, 

[2]  3  geue  :  make  (H.)  ;  her  :  MS.  here.  [3]  3  lakes  :  i.e*  lacks. 

[4]    2   gapings  :    gases  (H.)  ;  geason  =  rare,   extraordinary  ;    3    wan- 
•inge  :  gaping  (W.).  [5]  i  -4  added  from  H. 

[6]  3  that  you  haue  not  :   you  haue  not,  then  (//.). 
[7]  i  gold  :  Silke  (H.). 

323 


FAIN  WOULD  I  HAVE  A  PRETTY  THING 

Nor  twentye  busshels  in  a  heape 
can  do  my  ladye  pleasure. 

[8] 

[The  Grauers  of  the  golden  showes, 

with  luelles  do  beset  me. 
The  Shemsters  in  the  shoppes  that  sowes, 

they  do  nothing  but  let  me.] 

[9] 

For  weare  yt  in  the  wytte  of  man 
by  anye  meanes  to  make  hit, 

I  wold  for  mony  by  hit  than, 
and  say,  "  faire  ladye,  take  hit." 

[10] 

But,  ladye,  what  a  lucke  is  this 
that  my  good  wyllynge  myssethe, 

To  find  what  preatye  thinge  hyt  is 
that  my  good  ladye  wysshethe. 


7]  3  in  :  on  (#.).  [8]  1-4  added  from  H. 

9]  i  For  :   But  (H.)  ;  3  wold  :  could  (H.)  ;  by,  than  :  i.e.  buy,  then. 

10]  i  But  :  O  (H.). 


324 


65 

Assist  me  now,  you  doleful  dames 

MS.  Rawlinson  Poet.  185,  fols.  9-10.  A  splendid  amatory  lyric 
with  a  very  attractive  refrain.  The  MS.  cannot  date  later  than  1592, 
and  the  ballad  itself  may  be  considerably  older  :  in  any  case  the  tune 
is  distinctly  important,  for  it  comes  from  the  traditional  song  of  Hobby 
Noble  and  John  a  Side,  "  one  of  the  best  ballads  in  the  world,"  which 
is  No.  187  in  Professor  Child's  superb  edition  of  English  and  Scottish 
Popular  Ballads.  So  extremely  rare  are  allusions  to  these  traditional 
ballads  before  1600  that  the  present  instance  of  a  street  ballad  sung  to 
a  traditional-ballad  tune  assumes  considerable  importance,  and  proves 
that  at  least  one  Scottish  traditional  song  was  well  known  in  Elizabethan 
London.  For  the  tune  itself  see  F.  J.  Child's  Ballads,  V.,  408. 

a  terie  prette  sounst, 

To  the  Tune  of  Hobblnoble  and  lohn  a  Side. 


. 

Assist  me  now,  you  dolefull  dames, 

sing  hevely  now  my  ioyes  do  weare, 
Sound  forth  your  rewfull  morning  plantes, 

lament  my  sorofull,  wayling  cheare  ; 
Lament  with  me,  for  I  am  he 

who  lives  (alas  !)  and  faine  would  die, 
Oh  paine,  sorofull  paine,  paine  that  nipes  me  sore. 


Great  cause  I  haue,  alas,  to  morne, 

sing  hevely  now  my  ioyes  do  weare, 
Woe  worth  the  tyme  that  I  was  borne, 

to  tast  of  this  my  wayling  cheare  ! 

[i]  3  morning  plantes  :  i.e.  mourning  plaints  ;  7  nipes  :  an  obsolete 
for  nips. 

325 


ASSIST  ME  NOW,  YOU  DOLEFUL  DAMES 

And  cursed  be  that  crewell  happ, 
that  fostred  me  to  this  ill  happ. 
Oh  paine,  sorofull  paine,  paine  that  nipes,  &c. 

[3]      ;       ; 

Did  ever  weight  feell  half e  such  woe  ? 
sing  hevely  now  my  ioyes  do  weare. 

0  fortune  fraile,  why  frownest  thow  so, 
to  make  me  langvish  still  in  feare  ? 

Relent,  you  stoney  hartes,  I  saye, 

my  heapes  of  greefes  for  to  beraye. 
Oh  paine,  sorofull  paine,  paine  that  nipes  me  s[ori\. 

w 

My  sighes  and  sobes  doth  testefie, 

sing  hevely  now  my  ioyes  do  weare, 
What  greefe  within  my  hart  do  lye  ; 

lament  my  sorofull,  wailing  cheare. 
The  grones  that  comes  from  my  poore  hart 

beres  witnes  of  my  wofull  smarte. 
Oh  paine,  sorofull,  &c. 

[5] 

If  that  I  might  my  ladie  vew, 
sing  hevely  now  my  ioyes  do  weare, 

1  know  she  is  a  dame  so  trew 

she  would  redresse  my  wayling  cheare, 
And  shew  remorse  of  me,  poore  rache, 

which  liveth  heare  comfortles. 
Oh  paine,  sorofull,  &c. 

[6] 

*  What  dost  thow  meane,  thow  crewell  spight, 
sing  hevely  now  my  ioyes  do  weare, 

[3]  i  weight  :  i.e.  wight. 

[5]  5  rache  :  i.e.  wretch  ;  6  heare  :  redd  heare  so. 

326 


ASSIST  ME  NOW,  YOU  DOLEFUL  DAMES 

To  keep  me  from  my  ladies  sight, 
who  should  this  wailling  cheare  ? 

Did  ever  I  deserue  of  thee 

that  thow  shouldest  worke  such  woe  to  me  ? 

Ob  paine,  sorofull  paine,  &c. 


[7] 

Full  oft  I  tooke  my  penn  in  hand, 
sing  hevely  now  my  ioyes  do  weare, 

To  let  my  ladie  vnderstand 
of  this  sorofull,  wailing  cheare  ; 

But  then  dispaire  aresteth  me, 

and  saith  :   "  in  vaine  thy  swet  shalbe." 

Ob  paine,  sorofull, 


[8] 

Then  home  she  comes  and  comforts  me, 
sing  hevely  now  my  ioyes  do  weare, 

And  bides  me  of  good  cheare  to  be, 
and  not  to  languish  still  in  feare  ; 

And  biddes  me  write  vnto  my  love 
that  she  my  sorroes  might  remove. 

Oh  paine,  sorofull, 


[9] 

The  same  is  donne  in-continent, 
sing  hevely  now  my  ioyes  do  weare, 

And  to  my  ladie  it  is  sente, 

who  shoulde  redresse  my  wailing  cheare, 

To  see  if  she  will  pittie  me 
and  show  some  love  of  ametie. 

Oh  paine,  sorofull,  &c. 

[6]  4  this  :  terhaps  read  this  sorrowful. 
[8]  i  home  :  read  hope. 

327 


ASSIST  ME  NOW,  YOU  DOLEFUL  DAMES 

[10] 
With  hope  and  despaire  am  I  fed, 

sing  hevely  now  my  ioyes  do  weare^ 
With  trebles  tombling  in  my  bed, 
.  lament  my  sorofull,  wailing  chear  ; 
Till  that  I  meete  with  venix  mine, 

whose  grace  excells  the  muses  nine. 
Ob  paine,  sorofull  paine,  paine  that  nipes  me  sore. 


[IQ]  5  venix  :  i.e.  phoenix. 
t 


328 


66 

In  Crete  when  Daedalus  first  began 

Harleian  MS.  7578,  fol.  103.  The  text  and  music  of  this  incom 
plete  ballad  on  the  exploits  of  Daedelus  and  Icarus  were  discovered  by 
Mr.  F.  Sidgwick  and  printed  in  the  Gentleman's  Magazine,  August,  1  906, 
pp.  179-181.  It  has  seemed  worth  while,  in  view  of  the  importance 
of  the  two  stanzas  and  the  unexpected  place  in  which  they  are  printed,  to 
give  them  here.  Mr.  Sidgwick  has  mentioned  all  the  allusions  given 
below  except  that  in  the  Knight  of  the  Burning  Pestle. 

The  MS.  is  perhaps  of  the  early  part  of  the  seventeenth  century,  but 
the  ballad  was  printed  at  least  by  1591,  the  year  in  which  one  "Simon 
Smelknave,"  in  his  Fearfull  effects  of  two  Comets,  sig.  B  i  ,  scoffed  at  "  you 
Ale-knights  .  .  .  that  sing  In  Creete  when  Dedalus,  ouer  a  cup."  Thomas 
Nashe  (Have  With  You  to  Saffron  Walden,  1596,  Works,  ed.  McKerrow, 
III.,  67)  said  of  Gabriel  Harvey  :  "  In  Creete  when  Dedalus,  a  song  that 
is  to  him  food  from  heauen,  and  more  transporting  and  rauishing  than 
Platoes  Discourse  on  the  immortalitie  of  the  soule  was  to  Cato"  In 
Beaumont  and  Fletcher's  Monsieur  Thomas,  III.,  iii.,  Thomas  says  he 
can  sing,  among  other  ballads,  "  In  Crete  when  Dedimus  first  began," 
and  shortly  afterwards  he  sings  two  lines  of  it  :  — 

The  love  of  Greece,  and  it  tickled  him  so, 
That  he  devised  a  way  to  go. 

Two  lines  —  which  have  not  previously  been  identified  —  are  sung  by 
Merrythought  in  the  Knight  of  the  Burning  Pestle,  I.,  iii.  :  — 

When  earth  and  seas  from  me  are  reft, 
The  skies  aloft  for  me  are  left. 

Possibly  there  is  some  faint  reference  to  the  ballad  in  I  Henry  VI.,  IV., 
vi.,  54,  and  3  Henry  VI.,  V.,  vi.,  18,  22.  The  tune  of  In  Crete  is  not 
infrequently  used  for  other  ballads. 


In  creat  when  dedylus  fyrst  began 
his  stait  and  long  exile  to  wayle, 

[i]   I   creat,  dedylus  :  i.e.  Greet,  Daedalus. 

329 


IN  CRETE  WHEN  DAEDALUS  FIRST  BEGAN 

When  mynus*  wrath  had  shutt  vpp  then 
yche  way  by  land,  eche  way  by  Sayle, 

The  love  of  creett  hyme  prycked  So, 
that  he  devysed  away  to  goo. 


His  tender  Sonn,  yonge  Icarus^  — 

his  fatheres  cayre  and  onlye  Joy,  — 
Bedewed  with  teares,  dyd  comfort  thus  : 

"  Be  of  good  chear,  myne  owen  sweet  boy  ; 
Thoughe  land  and  Seas  be  from  vs  Raft, 

the  skyes  aloft  befor  vs  laste." 

11]  3  mynus  :  i.e.  Minus  ;  5  creett  :  read  Greece. 
2]  4  owen  :  read  own. 

I 


330 


67 

All  you  that  with  good  ale  do  hold 

Addit.  MS.  15,225,  fols.  58v-6ov.  This  curious  and  delightful 
ballad  on  drunkenness  may  at  first  sight  seem  out  of  place  among  the 
pious  and  religious  verse  that  makes  up  the  remainder  of  the  MS.  No 
other  ballad  of  the  same  type  is  extant,  though  one  of  much  later  date, 

"A  Pleasant  New  Ballad  to  look  upon, 
How  Mault  deals  with  every  man," 

printed  in  the  Roxburghe  Ballads  (II.,   379),  has  some  resemblances. 
For  example,  the  stanzas  (quoted  from  the  Pepys  copy), — 

The  Shoomaker  sitting  on  his  seat, 
At  Master  Mault  began  to  fret, 
He  said  he  would  the  Knave  so  beat, 
•with  hii  sharp  Spanish  Knife,  Sir. 

But  Mjult  came  peeping  through  the  Hall, 
And  did  his  Brains  so  fiercely  maul, 
He  turned  round  and  caught  a  fall, 
you  never  \_iaiv  the  like,  Sir~\. 

The  Weaver  sitting  in  the  Loom, 
He  threatned  Mault  a  cruel  doom, 
And  make  him  to  repulse  the  room, 
or  throto  him  in  a  Dike,  Sir. 

The  doughty  warrior  Good-ale  is  given  a  place  of  prominence  also  in 
the  ballad  of  "Sir  John  Barleycorn  "  (Ibid.,  II.,  373). 

When  Sir  John  Good-ale  heard  of  this, 

he  came  with  mickle  might, 
And  there  he  tooke  their  tongues  away, 

their  legs,  or  else  their  sight. 

And  thus  Sir  John,  in  each  respect, 

so  paid  them  all  their  hire, 
That  some  lay  sleeping  by  the  way, 

some  tumbling  in  the  mire. 

Some  lay  groning  by  the  wals, 

some  in  the  streets  downe  right, 
The  best  of  them  did  scarcely  know 

what  they  had  done  ore-night 


ALL  YOU  THAT  WITH  GOOD  ALE  DO  HOLD 

Thomas  Robins,  a  well-known  ballad-writer,  wrote  a  pamphlet  in 
prose  and  ballad-verse  called  The  Arraigning  and  Indicting  of  Sir  John 
Barky-Corn,  A  Man  of  Noble  blood,  and  well-beloved  in  England,  —  a  much 
less  stupid  work  than  the  majority  of  chap-books. 

In  the  final  stanza  the  author  states  that  he  wrote  "  this  merry  jest  ' 
to  declare  the  loathsomeness  of  drunkenness,  a  statement  that  may  serve 
to  connect  his  jest  with  ballads  "  agaynste  Dronkerdes  "  and  "  aganste 
Drunckers"  which  were  licensed  in    1560-61    and    1562-63   (Arber* 
Transcript,  I.,  153,  205).     Entries  of  "a  ballad  being  a  Jest  of  bottel 
ale"  (August  19,  1583)  and  of  "A  proper  newe  ballad  whiche  withou 
any  fayle  will  shewe  all  the  hurte  in  a  pott  of  good  ale  "  (May  27,  1612 
could  appropriately  refer  to  the  present  ballad. 


All  you  that  with  good  ale  doe  hould, 
Draw  neere,  I  say,  both  young  and  ould, 

and  listen  to  my  tale  ; 
And  you  shall  heare  how  in  what  wether 
A  sort  of  Souldiers  met  together 

for  to  devour  good  alle. 


w 

It  chanc'd  of  late,  in  smale  braynshire, 
One  maister  good-ale  did  appeare 

out  of  a  lether  canne  ; 
He  held  the  countrie  for  his  owne, 
Where  he  by  strength  had  overthrowne 

manie  a  proper  manne. 

[3] 

It  fell  about  the  wbitsontyde, 
The  Countrie  rose  on  everie  syde 

on  him  to  make  a  ryot ; 
They  mustered  all  at  one  ale-stake 
With  stronge  good-ale  a  feilde  to  make, 

which  did  them  sore  disquiet. 

[i]  6  alle  :  read  ale. 

332 


ALL  YOU  THAT  WITH  GOOD  ALE  DO  HOLD 

W 

Thither  came  a  full  heuge  hoast 

With  pompe,  with  prid[e],  with  bragge,  and  boast, 

against  good- ale  the[y]  goe  ; 
But  if  a  while  you  will  giue  eare 
Their  names  in  order  you  shall  heare 

out  of  the  Christ  crosse-rowe. 


[5] 

Now  Christ  his  crosse  be  my  good  speede 
That  I  may  shew  that  doughtie  deede 

by  good-ale  doone  that  day  ! 
There  was  never  fought  with  speare  and  sheild 
Such  a  battell  as  he  held, 

I  dare  be  bould  to  say. 


[6] 

Adam,  Austine,  and  Adrian, 

The  first  stout  skirmiche  they  beganne 

with  Polax  in  their  hand. 
But  good-ale  arest  them  with  his  mase, 
And  brought  them  soone  in  such  a  case, 

much  care  they  had  to  stande. 


[7] 

33     Benet,  Brandon,  Barnard,  Beede, 

With  Blase  and  Bryan,  made  great  speede 

with  their  bo[w]es  readie  bent ; 
But  good-all  smote  them  on  the  heades 
That  they  were  caried  home  on  sleades, 

sore  mained  home  they  went. 

[4]  6  Christ  crosse-rowe  :  i.e.  the  alphabet. 
[7]  4  good-all  :  read  good-ale. 

333 


ALL  YOU  THAT  WITH  GOOD  ALE  DO  HOLD 

[8] 

C     Clement  and  Crabbe  came  cracking  in, 
And  swore  they  would  lay  on  the  skinne 

all  that  durst  carpe  one  worde  ; 
But  good-ale  troubled  soe  their  braine 
That  they  to  looke  their  bedes  were  faine, 

all  nigh  vnder  the  board. 


[9] 

9     David,  Denis,  Dicke,  and  Daniell 
Came  rydeing  in  vpon  a  paniell, 

for  saddles  non[e]  they  had  ; 
But  good-ale  seru'd  on  them  a  writ 
That  on  their  mares  the[y]  could  not  sit 

nor  speake,  they  were  soe  madde. 


[10] 

Edmunde,  Elvish,  and  sir  Elis 
Provided  harnes  for  their  bellies, 

their  backes  were  bare,  god  wot  ! 
They  linde  their  salletes  soe  with  barme, 
And  couch'd  vnder  the  stayers  warme 

for  feare  of  the  gunshotte. 


Jf     Francis  and  Fabian  fought  full  sore, 
The  space  of  halfe  an  houre  and  more, 

thinkinge  to  winne  the  flagge  ; 
But  good-ale  gaue  them  such  a  bloe 
That  they  their  best  frendes  could  not  knowe 

nor  scarce  their  heades  to  wagge. 

[9]  2  paniell  :  i.e.  pannel,  a  sort  of  saddle  without  a  cantle. 
[10]  2  harnes  :  i.e.  harness  ;  4  linde  :  i.e.  lined  ;  salletes  :  i.e.  heads  ; 
barme  :  the  froth  that  forms  on  malt  liquors. 

334 


YOU  THAT  WITH  GOOD  ALE  DO  HOLD 

[12] 

Gawine  and  Guy,  George  and  Gyles, 
Came  leapinge  in  on  merrie  styles, 

and  rushinge  on  they  runne. 
They  fought  lyke  hardie  men  and  bould, 
Till  noe  man  wist  whither  they  would 

nor  yet  from  whence  they  come. 


[13] 

Henrie  was  hardie  and  soe  was  bugh, 
And  cryed,  "  a  new  feild,  a  new, 

in  spite  of  th'  villaines  nose  "  ; 
But  good-ale  with  his  good  Blacke  boule 
Soe  beate  them  both  about  the  noule 

that  the[y]  bepist  their  hose. 

[I4] 

lainkin,  lerome,  lonas  and  lude, 
With  lames  and  lefferey,  did  conclude 

they  would  not  bee  opprest. 
But  good-ale  troubled  soe  their  pates 
That  all  night  vnder  the  towne  gates 

they  tooke  their  naturall  rest. 


[15] 

&    Kidwallader  stoode  and  beheld 

How  good-ale  troubled  all  the  feild, — 

he  was  of  such  a  might ; 
He  tooke  soe  longe  his  fellowes'  parte 
Till  he  fell  drunken  vnder  th'  carte, 

and  there  he  lay  all  night. 

12]  2  in  on  :  perhaps  reading  should  be  on  in. 

14]  i  lainkin  :  i.e.  Jenkin. 

15]  3  he  :  i.e.  good-ale  ;  4  He  :  i.e.  Kidwallader. 

335 


ALL  YOU  THAT  WITH  GOOD  ALE  DO  HOLD 

[16] 

3t     Lawrence^  Lewis^  and  long  Leonard, 
Kept  them  selues  in  the  middleward 

lyke  warlike  men  and  tawlle  ; 
But  good-ale  arest  them  to  the  peace 
That  all  the  night  they  did  not  cease 

to  sleepe  vnder  the  wale. 


[17] 

Michaell,  Matthew  and  Morison 
All  that  night  full  fast  had  runne 

with  good-ale  for  to  meete  ; 
But  good-ale  paid  them  soe  their  hyre 
That  they  lay  tumblinge  in  the  mire 

and  swearing  in  the  streete. 


[18] 

Nicolas  came  in  with  his  browne  bill, 
And  swore,  and  stared  that  he  would  kill 

all  that  durst  him  abyde  ; 
But  good-ale  shew'd  him  such  a  game 
That  all  his  limmes  were  taken  lame, 

he  could  neither  goe  nor  ryde. 

[19] 

Oliver  though  he  were  [ould] 

Came  in  most  like  a  Champion  bould 

in  a  pair  of  blew  sockes ; 
But  as  he  pressed  to  the  boule 
Good-ale  full  sore  did  pearse  his  noule 

with  all  his  hoarie  lockes. 

[16]  3  tawlle  :  i.e.  tall. 

[18]  2  stared  :  Read  said. 

[19]  i  ould  :  MS.  torn  ;   5  noule  :  i.e.  noil,  head. 

336 


ALL  YOU  THAT  WITH  GOOD  ALE  DO  HOLD 

[20] 

|3     Peter,  Patricke,  and  prateing  Peers 
Held  out  the  stirre  lyke  valiant  Sqyres, 

with  everie  man  a  tunne  ; 
Lyke  hardie  fellowes  then  they  say 
That  they  would  carrie  good-ale  away, 
but  then  the  sport  beganne. 


[21] 

Quarters  of  malt  came  in  apase 
To  strengthen  good- ale  in  that  case, 

that  all  these  men  were  faine, 
First,  to  lay  their  cloathes  to  pledge 
And,  after,  creepe  vnder  a  hedge 

to  saue  themselues  from  raine. 


[22] 

Richard,  Reinold,  Rowland,  and  Raufe 
In  great  anger  beganne  to  chaufe, 

like  franticke  boares  did  fome  ; 
But  good-ale  taried  them  aright, 
And  fought  with  them  such  a  might 

that  they  came  speechles  home. 


Simkin,  Sabastion,  and  Steven 

With  all  the  world  they  made  cleane  even 

before  they  went  to  battaile  ; 
But  yet,  as  holie  as  they  went, 
Good-ale  them  home  full  naked  sent 

without  either  corne  or  cattell. 

[20]  3  tunne  :  a  tub,  a  barrel  ;  6  beganne  :  read  begunne. 

337 


ALL  YOU  THAT  WITH  GOOD  ALE  DO  HOLD 

[24] 

C     Thomas  saw  this  soe  feirse  a  fray, 
How  good-ale  bare  the  name  away 

all  that  longe  afternoone  ; 

He  thought  [to]  haue  fled  and  fought  noe  more, 
But  good-ale  tooke  him  prisoner  thore — 
he  had  no  legges  to  runne. 


[25] 

The  whole  hoast  beinge  soe  neere  distroyde, 
Walter  and  William  would  not  abyde, 

but  thought  t'  haue  stol'ne  away ; 
But  good-ale  got  of  them  a  sight 
And  lodged  them  as  frendes  al  night 

besydes  a  cocke  of  hay. 


[26] 

Xpofur  made  a  rufull  mone 
When  he  saw  all  his  f  ellowes  gone, 

he  waxed  wonderous  sad  ; 
For  why  ?  he  would  noe  more  strife  make, 
He  offered  to  the  good  ale-stake 

even  all  that  ever  he  had. 


All  you  that  now  be  present  heere 
Thinke  on  this  frey  in  smale  brainshire, 

and  note  it  in  your  braine  ; 
Keepe  you  from  thence  if  you  be  wyse 
And  with  good  ale  be  not  too  nyce, 

least  it  put  you  to  paine. 

[24]  5  thore  :  i.e.  there. 

[26]  i  Xpofur  :  i.e.  Christopher. 

[27]  6  least :  i.e.  lest. 

338 


ALL  YOU  THAT  WITH  GOOD  ALE  DO  HOLD 

[28]. 
This  merrie  Jest  thus  did  I  wryte, 

Meaning  noe  man  hurt  nor  noe  man  spite, 

but  onelie  to  declare 
The  loathsome  life  and  beastlie  waies 
Daylie  vsed  in  these  our  daies 

by  those  that  drunkards  are. 

tftttfc. 

Finis  :  MS.  repeats  this  word  three  times. 


339 


68 
O  high  and  mighty  God 

Sloane  MS.  1896,  fols.  8-n.  There  is  no  division  into  stanzas  in 
the  MS.,  save  perhaps  on  fols.  9V  and  10  (see  note  on  stanza  10),  where 
an  attempt  seems  to  be  made  to  group  the  lines  in  fours. 

The  crime  bewailed  in  this  ballad — the  murder  of  George  Saunders 
(or  Sanders),  a  London  merchant,  in  1573,  by  George  Browne,  the  lover 
of  Mrs.  Saunders,  with  the  connivance  of  herself,  Roger  Clement,  and 
Anne  Drewry — is  too  familiar  to  students  of  Elizabethan  literary  history 
to  need  discussion  here.  There  are  accounts  of  the  murder  in  Stow's 
Annals  (1615,  pp.  674  f.),  in  Antony  Munday's  View  of  Sundry  Example* 
Reporting  Many  Strange  Murders,  1580  (edited  by  J.  P.  Collier,  Shake 
speare  Society,  1851,  pp.  78-80),  in  a  tract  called  Sundry  Strange  and 
Inhuman  Murders  Lately  Committed,  1591  (Lambeth  Palace  Library),  and 
in  A[rthur]  G  folding's]  Brief e  discourse  of  the  late  murther  of  master  George 
Saunders,  1573.  Saunders  was  murdered  on  March  25,  1573.  On 
April  1 8  following,  Browne  was  arraigned  in  the  King's  Bench,  West 
minster  Hall  ;  he  was  executed  two  days  later,  and  his  body  was  hanged 
in  chains.  "Trusty  Roger,"  Mrs.  Saunders,  and  Mrs.  Drewry  were 
hanged  in  Smithfield  on  May  13.  For  a  time  it  had  seemed  as  if 
Anne  Saunders,  by  the  aid  of  her  confederates  and  of  an  infatuated 
minister,  George  Mell,  would  escape  punishment  :  her  scheme  was 
unmasked,  and  on  May  1 2  the  Privy  Council  sent  a  peremptory  letter 
to  the  Sheriffs  of  London,  instructing  them  "  to  precede  to  thexecution 
of  ...  Saunders'  wyfe,  acording  to  the  judgment  given  at  their  con- 
dempnacion  ;  and  also  to  put  one  Mell,  a  mynister,  to  some  shame, 
who  have  been  a  practiser  to  move  Saunders'  wyfe  to  conceyle  her  facte " 
{Acts  of  the  Privy  Council,  ed.  Dasent,  VIII.,  121  ;  cf.  pp.  91,  92,  94, 
105).  The  author  of  this  ballad  would  have  us  believe  that  it  was 
actually  Mrs.  Saunders's  own  work  :  evidently  she  must  have  composed 
it  after  this  order  from  the  Privy  Council  was  communicated  to  her 
along  with  the  news  that  she  was  to  be  hanged  on  the  following  day  ! 
Mell,  as  students  of  the  drama  know,  was  "  put  to  some  shame  "  in  the 
pillory. 

To-day  the  chief  interest  in  the  murder  lies  in  the  fact  that  it  was 
written  up  for  dramatic  presentation  in  the  play  called  A  Warning  for 
Fair  Women,  variously  attributed  to  Lyly,  Lodge,  and  Kyd.  In  the 
editions  of  this  play  by  Richard  Simpson  (School  of  Shakspere,  II.,  219) 
and  by  A.  F.  Hopkinson  (London,  1904)  most  of  the  contemporary 

340 


O  HIGH  AND  MIGHTY  GOD 

(accounts  mentioned  above  are  reprinted.  But  both  editors  agree  in 
<  saying  that  "  probably  ballads  were  written  on  the  events  dramatised  in 
A  Warning,  but  if  there  were  they  have  not,  unfortunately,  come  down 
to  the  present  time."  The  Stationers'  Registers  for  the  years  1571-76 
are  lost  ;  so  that  no  record  exists  of  the  ballads  that  were  undoubtedly 
licensed  for  publication  on  the  murder.  (The  ballad  of  "  George 
Sanders,"  transferred  among  a  large  number  of  old  ballads  on  December 
14,  1624,  and  doubtfully  connected  by  Arber,  in  his  Transcript,  IV., 
131,  with  Anne  Saunders's  husband,  dealt  with  an  entirely  different 
person  :  it  was  "  The  Confession  and  Repentance  of  George  Sanders, 
Gent.,  late  of  Sugh,  in  the  County  of  Hertford"  and  is  reprinted  in  the 
Roxburghe  Ballads,  VIII.,  72.)  But  at  least  one  ballad  on  the  murder, 
not  improbably  that  here  reprinted,  was  still  in  circulation  in  1596,  for 
in  that  year  Thomas  Lodge  (Wits1  Misery,  sig.  F  iijv)  wrote  of  Cousenage  : 
"  Shee  will  reckon  you  vp  the  storie  of  Mistris  SANDERS,  and  weepe 
at  it,  and  turne  you  to  the  Ballad  ouer  her  chimney,  and  bid  you  looke 
there,  there  is  a  goodly  sample." 

The  ballad  here  reprinted  has  escaped  the  notice  of  all  commentators 
on  the  Warning  for  Fair  Women  and  all  writers  on  the  murder.  It  has  no 
poetical  merit  whatever,  but  is  an  interesting  example  of  a  "  good-night," 
and  is  preserved  in  a  MS.  itself  contemporary  with  the  murder.  The 
contents  of  the  ballad  harmonize  well  with  "  Anne  Saunders  confession  as 
she  spake  it  at  the  place  of  execution  "  and  "  The  Prayer  whiche  was 
said  by  Anne  Saunders  at  the  place  of  execution,"  both  of  which  are 
given  in  Arthur  Golding's  tract.  Significantly  enough,  the  ballad  makes 
no  mention  of  the  intrigue  between  Mrs.  Saunders  and  George  Mell, 
while  only  by  implication  is  her  earlier  liaison  with  George  Browne 
noticed.  The  theological  views  expressed  in  the  ballad  are,  to  say  the 
least,  dubious. 

Cl)e  toofull  lamentacon  of  mr0*  Anne 

Saunders,  fol)tCl)  $\)t  tUfOte  toltl)  l^t  OttUt 

),  bring  pri0oner  in  «*«#*/*,  Sitistty 
conDemneti  to  neatly 

I  lament,  I  repent,  I  beleve,  I  reioyce, 

I  trust  in  the  lord  christ,  he  will  here  my  voyse. 


w 

O  highe  and  mighty  god, 

which  reignst  the  skyes  above, 


O  HIGH  AND  MIGHTY  GOD 

With  watred  eyes  I  muche  commend 

thy  provydence  and  love. 
With  wofull  broken  hart, 

with  swolne  and  blobred  face, 
I  wayle  my  wanton  lyfe  long  spent, 

which  had  noe  better  grace. 


I  make  my  mone  to  the[e], 

with  sighes  and  sobbing  teares  ; 
In  what  distresse  and  heavy  case, 

my  conscience  wytnesse  beares. 
Depryved  of  worldly  joye, 

which  late  I  had  at  ease, 
Depryved  of  wealth  and  clad  with  care, 

which  sought  not  thee  to  please. 

[3] 

Depryved  of  pleasures  greate, 

bewrapt  in  griefe  and  payne, 
And  all  throughe  synne  which  thus  to  mourne, 

deare  god,  doth  me  constraine. 
My  babes  and  children  deare, 

can  heart  of  myne  but  sobbe 
To  lose  them  thus,  o  gryping  griefe, 

can  intrelles  sease  to  throbbe  ! 

w 

Alake,  I  cannot  stay, 

myne  eyes  will  not  byde  dry, 
To  thincke  what  sinne  hath  brought  me  to, 

out  one  me  wretche,  fye,  fye  ! 
Let  tender  mothers  judge 

and  gushe  out  teares  with  me, 
When  as  the[y]  wey  my  inward  doubt 

and  eke  my  anguishe  se. 

[4]  4  one  :  read  on  ;  7  wey  =  weigh. 

342 


O  HIGH  AND  MIGHTY  GOD 

[5] 

For  naught  besyde  my  facte, 

I  more  lament  then  they ; 
God  send  them  better  grace  to  lyve 

and  not  to  walke  my  way. 
For  wealth  did  pricke  me  soe, 

being  well  and  could  not  se, 
Oh  swetest  god,  I  say  thou  knowest 

this  is  performed  in  me. 

[6] 

And  righteous  is  thy  rodde, 

a  plague  procured  long  ; 
And  those  that  warned  me  of  my  fault, 

I  thought  they  did  me  wronge. 
I  lyncked  my  selfe  in  love 

to  hatefull  bitter  bale, 
Throughe  which  my  barcke  is  ouertourn'd 

with  quyte  contrary  gale. 

[7] 

Anne  Drewry^  woe  to  thee, 

which  drewe  me  to  decaye  ! 
And  woe  the  tyme  I  loved  thy  lure, 

woe  me  and  wele  away  ! 
Woe  worth  thy  false  entent, 

woe  worth  thy  bloudy  mynde, 
And  woe  thy  flattering  wordes  which  made 

my  doting  hart  so  blynde  ! 

[8] 

And,  Roger^  woe  to  the[e], 

in  whome  it  was  to  staye 
Brownis  handes  from  slaughter  of  my  deare 

and  vs  from  this  decaye  ! 

[5]  i  facte  =  crime. 

343 


O  HIGH  AND  MIGHTY  GOD 

Take  hede,  all  honest  dames, 
what  servauntes  ye  retayne, 

For  if  thou,  Roger,  hadst  feared  god, 
we  had  not  felt  this  payne. 


O  righteous  god,  thou  knowest 

their  councell  wrought  me  ill ; 
And  yet,  Anne  Saunders,  woe  to  the[e] 

that  leanedst  so  muche  thertill ! 
My  husband  to  betray 

(a  grieffe  to  say  or  thinke), 
And  iustly  weighed  as  I  haue  brewed 

this  bitter  drafte  to  drincke. 


[10] 

Behold,  all  honest  wyves, 

and  fynest  london  dames, 
Beare  to  your  husbandes  trusty  hartes, 

procure  not  to  your  shames  ; 
Tacke  patterne  playne  by  mee, 

well  vewe  my  race  and  end  ; 
And  while  yow  stand,  see  to  your  stepes, 

and  lett  the  faultye  amend. 


For  god,  thoughe  longe  hee  Beares, 

att  lenghte  will  sharply  paye, 
As  may  bee  Sine  by  my  fyrst  State 

and  now  by  mee  decaye. 

[10]  6  Fols.  9v-io  are  in  a  vicious  and  illiterate  handwriting,  quite 
different  from  that  of  all  the  other  leaves  in  the  MS.  The  scribe  has 
written  the  lines  as  if  they  were  prose,  paying  no  attention  to  the  metre 
(which  is  here  restored),  though  apparently  he  attempted  to  break  up 
his  work  into  four-line  stanzas  ;  8  amend  :  read  mend. 

344 


O  HIGH  AND  MIGHTY  GOD 

Trust  never  Trusties  tayles, 

detest  that  odius  love, 
Defie  suche  frindship  fraughte  with  fraude, 

as  matrones  dothe  beehove  ; 


[12] 

For  I  beewailinge  told 

off  this  my  fau[l]te  the  causse, 
I  had  noe  perfytte  loue  nor  care 

to  godes  wourd  nor  y[e]tt  his  Lawes 
My  Love  was  daylie  hate, 

my  faythe  was  flatteringe  sure  ; 

0  cvrsyd  Satban,  I  lament 
thow  didest  mee  Soe  A-lure  ! 

I  [I3] 

1  yellded  to  to  mvche 

to  thie  Foulle  helliche  lore, 
I  gaue  the[e]  Rainge  to  Rulle  the  Fleche, 

which  nowe  I  rew  full  Sore. 
For  grudginge  att  my  State, 

I  thought  to  mend  the  Sam[e], 
Thoughe  which,  in-stede  of  lyfe,  to  deathe 

a  Foulle  and  [hatejfull  sham[e]. 

[H] 

See  what  A  gayne  ys  gotte, — 

o  god,  see  whate  A  gayne, 
off  my  childerne,  goodes,  and  Frindes, 

and  more  which  dothe  Remayne, 

[i  i]  6  odius  :  MS.  odiues  ?  8  beehove  :  i.e.  behoove. 

!i  2]  2  off :  read  of ;  4  yett  :  omit ;  6  sure  :  MS.  Suer. 
1 3]  i  yellded  to  to  :  read  yielded  too  too  ;   3  Fleche .-  read  flesh  ; 
8  hatefull :  MS.  indecipherable. 
[14]  3  off:  read  of  all. 

345 


O  HIGH  AND  MIGHTY  GOD 

A  losse  Farre  mountinge  this, 

for  breche  off  my  deare, 
My  Soule  and  Bodie  bothe  quytte  Spylte, 

christ,  where  ytt  not  For  thee. 


[15] 

Cbryst,  For  thie  presious  deathe, 

thie  woundes,  and  Blodie  harte, 
Which  are  my  pardone  by  thie  crosse 

and  my  Releyffe  From  Smarte  ; 
Thou  arte  all  which  nowe  Remaynes, 

com  dayned  wrothe  dysmaye, 
Thou,  crist,  arte  all  my  anker-hould, 

which  hast  my  Ransom  paye  ; 


[16] 

Which  cheres  my  wounded  harte, 

and  mackes  mee  glad  to  dye, 
A  thousand  Times  mor[e]  cruell  deathe 

my  Sellffe  I  quytte  defye. 
Oute  of  this  carnall  wourld, 

deare  god,  I  longe  For  thee  : 
O  when  shall  I  bee  ryd  of  Sin 

that  I  thie  face  maye  see  ! 


[17] 

I  am  Full  Redie  prest, 

my  Sines  I  doe  Repent, 
O  for  my  Blodie  facte,  o  god, 

lett  notte  my  Soule  bee  shentte  ! 


[14]  6  breche  =  breach,  an  assault  on,  an  injury  to.  Murder  would 
restore  the  rhythm.  8  where  :  read  were. 

[15]  5,  6  Possibly  Thou  (all  which  now  remains),  condemned  wrath 
dismay  !  the  last  three  words  also  being  parenthetical. 

346 


O  HIGH  AND  MIGHTY  GOD 

Noe,  noe,  I  am  full  sure 

thy  promyse  is  full  just ; 
Christes  bloud  my  bloudy  facte  hath  clensde, 

and  therto  will  I  trust. 

[18] 

And  nowe  behold  and  se 

what  for  me  god  hath  done, 
A  lost  and  infected  wandring  shepe 

his  merry  home  hath  woonne  ; 
Whose  love  so  let  me  fall, — 

and  justice  threw  me  downe, 
From  worldly  pompe  to  foule  reproche, 

and  losse  of  all  renowne, — 

[19] 

That  he  might  rayse  me  vp 

from  death  to  state  of  blisse, 
From  Satban's  baytes,  by  his  rebukes, 

to  be  a  child  of  his ; 
In  flower  of  constant  age 

my  dayes  to  end  with  shame, 
To  my  immortall  blisse  and  joye 

set  fre  from  synne  and  blame. 

[20] 

And  yet  what  shame  is  this 

for  me,  so  clad  with  synne, 
To  take  noe  more  then  I  shall  tast 

the  lasting  throne  to  wynne  ? 
And,  therfore,  nowe  farewell, 

all  thinges  corrupt  and  vayne, 
It  is  not  longe  til  heavenly  throng 

will  make  me  vppe  agayne, 

[17]   5  The  original  copyist  resumes  his  work  here. 
[18]  3  infected  :  "  Evilly  affected  or  contaminated  in  respect  of  moral 
character,  opinions,  etc." — N.  £./).;   5  love  :  MS.  lore. 
[20]  3  tast,  8  make  :  read  take. 

347 


O  HIGH  AND  MIGHTY  GOD 

[21] 

In  this  my  very  fleshe 

to  se  christe  with  myne  eyes, 
And  sould  and  body  dwell  with  him 

aboue  the  christall  skyes. 
For  whome  my  freindes  prepare, 

and  so  I  yow  commend 
To  Jesus  Christ,  who  shall  ye  kep,  — 

and  thus  I  make  an  end. 


[21]  3  sould  :  read  soul. 


348 


The  noble  peer  while  he  lived  here 

Addit.  MS.  I5,225,fols.  13-15.  This  ballad,  except  for  two  stanzas 
gratuitously  printed  in  Collier's  Extracts  from  the  Stationers'*  Registers,  I.,  4, 
has  not  been  reprinted.  There  is  another,  and  a  much  later  version,  in 
the  Percy  Folio  MS.,  edited  by  Hales  and  Furnivall,  II.,  255  ff.  The 
P.P.  version  differs  considerably  from  this,  among  other  things  being 
five  stanzas  longer  :  the  most  important  variations  are  indicated  in  the 
foot-notes. 

The  ballad  does  not  appear  to  have  been  entered  in  the  Stationers' 
Registers  :  a  ballad  called  "  The  murnynge  of  Edwarde  Duke  of 
Buckyngham,"  which  was  registered  in  1557-58  (Arber's  Transcript, 
I.,  75)  is  that  reprinted  in  the  Ballad  Society's  Ballads  from  MSB.,  I.,  62  ; 
and  another  called  "  A  mournefull  songe  comparatiuely  of  the  miserable 
ende  of  Bannister  that  betraied  the  duke  of  Buckingham  his  lord  and 
master  to  the  punishement  of  mystres  Shore,  &c.,"  which  was  registered 
on  January  18,  1600,  is  "A  most  Sorrowful  Song,  setting  forth  the  end 
of  Banister,  who  betrayed  the  Duke  of  Buckingham,  his  Lord  and 
Master,"  reprinted  from  the  unique  copy  in  the  Pepys  Collection  (I.,  64) 
in  Evans's  Old  Ballads,  1810,  III.,  23.  There  is  in  Richard  Johnson's 
Crown  Garland  of  Golden  Roses,  1612  (Percy  Society  ed.,  pp.  25  ff.  ;  A 
Collection  of  Old  Ballads,  1725,  III.,  38),  a  ballad  of  24  stanzas  called 
"The  Life  and  Death  of  the  Great  Duke  of  Buckingham  ;  who  came 
to  an  untimely  End,  for  consenting  to  the  deposing  of  two  gallant  young 
Princes,  King  Edward  the  Fourth's  Children.  To  the  tune  of  Shore's 
Wife." 

The  historical  background  has  been  only  vaguely  hinted  at  by  previous 
editors,  though  there  are  full  accounts  in  both  the  Annals  of  Stow 
(1615,  p.  466)  and  the  Chronicles  of  Holinshed  (III.,  743).  Briefly, 
Buckingham's  fatal  mistake  came  in  his  attempt  to  further  the  cause  of 
the  Earl  of  Richmond,  afterwards  Henry  VII.,  against  King  Richard  III., 
-before  time  was  ripe.  After  the  unfortunate  and  premature  defiance 
of  Richard  III.,  the  Duke  found  himself  (as  the  ballad  describes)  deserted 
by  his  men.  He  then,  to  quote  Holinshed, 

conueied  himselfe  into  the  house  of  Humfreie  Banaster  his  seruant  beside  Shrewes- 
burie,  whome  he  had  tenderlie  brought  vp,  and  whome  he  aboue  all  men  loued, 
fauoured,  and  trusted.  [A  proclamation  offering  £1000  reward  for  information 
leading  to  his  capture  was  issued  by  the  King,  whereupon]  Humfreie  Banaster 
(were  it  more  for  feare  of  life  and  losse  of  goods,  or  allured  &  prouoked  by  the 

349 


THE  NOBLE  PEER  WHILE  HE  LIVED  HERE 

auaricious  desire  of  the  thousand  pounds)  he  bewraied  his  guest  and  maister  t( 
John  Mitton  then  shiriffe  of  Shropshire :  which  suddenlie  with  a  strong  power  j 
of  men  in  harnesse  apprehended  the  duke  in  a  little  groue  adioining  to  the  mansion 
of  Humfreie  Banaster,  and  in  great  hast  and  euill  speed  conueied  him  apparelled 
in  a  pilled  blacke  cloake  to  the  towne  of  Shrewesburie,  where  king  Richard  then 
kept  his  houshold.  Whether  this  Banaster  bewraied  the  duke  more  for  feare 
than  couetous,  manie  men  doo  doubt :  but  sure  it  is,  that  shortlie  after  he  had 
betraied  the  duke  his  master,  his  sonne  and  heire  waxed  mad,  &  so  died  in  a 
bores  stie ;  his  eldest  daughter  of  excellent  beautie,  was  suddenlie  striken  with  a 
foule  leprosie ;  his  second  sonne  maruellouslie  deformed  of  his  lims,  and  made 
lame  ;  his  yoonger  sonne  in  a  small  puddle  was  strangled  and  drowned  ;  and  he 
being  of  extreame  age,  arreigned,  and  found  guiltie  of  a  murther,  and  by  his 
cleargie  saued.  And  as  for  his  thousand  pounds,  K.  Richard  gaue  him  not 
one  farthing. 

Buckingham   "without   arraignment  or  judgment"   was   beheaded   at 
Salisbury  on  All-Souls'  day,  1483. 

No  subject  more  appealing  to  Elizabethan  and  Jacobean  ballad- 
writers  could  be  conceived  of  than  Holinshed's  straightforward  account 
of  the  woes  resulting  from  Bannister's  treachery.  Richard  Johnson  thus 
chronicles  these  woes : — 

Thus  Banester  was  forst  to  beg, 
And  crave  for  food  with  cap  and  leg, 
But  none  to  him  would  bread  bestow, 
That  to  his  master  prov'd  a  foe. 

Thus  wand'red  he  in  poor  estate, 
Repenting  his  misdeed  too  late, 
Till  starved  he  gave  up  his  breath, 
By  no  man  pittied  at  his  death. 

To  wofull  ends  his  children  came, 
Sore  punisht  for  their  father's  shame  ; 
Within. a  kennell  one  was  droun'd, 
Where  water  scarce  could  hide  the  ground. 

Another,  by  the  powers  devine, 
Was  strangely  eaten  up  by  swine ; 
The  last  a  woofull  ending  makes, 
By  strangling  in  a  stinking  jakes. 

In   the   Pepysian   ballad   Bannister   in   person    relates  his   misfortunes, 
following  the  historical  account  fairly  closely  : — 

My  eldest,  first,  through  misery 
Did  hang  himself  in  a  pig-sty, 
Whilst  over  him  we  sat  and  mourn'd, 
My  youngest  in  a  ditch  was  droun'd. 

Where  we  did  leave  our  children  dead, 
Above  the  ground  unburied, 
Myself,  my  wife  and  daughter  dear 
Did  range  the  country  far  and  near.  .   .   . 

35° 


THE  NOBLE  PEER  WHILE  HE  LIVED  HERE 

Then  we  returned  home  again 
At  our  own  door  to  end  our  pain, 
Whilst  I  sought  sticks  to  make  a  fire, 
My  daughter's  death  brought  her  desire. 

His  servant  which  my  land  possess'd 
Came  first,  and  found  my  child  deceased, 
Mitton's  young  son  my  wife  there  kill'd, 
His  father's  heart  with  sorrow  filFd. 

Bannister,  so  the  ballad  goes  on,  himself  killed  the  servant's  "  only  son," 

And  after  this  my  wife  and  I 
Ended  our  lives  in  misery. 

a  gong  of  ttie  Dufee  of  •Bucfemgtiam. 


The  noble  Peere,  while  he  liued  heere, 
the  worthie  Duke  of  Buckingham, 

Whoe  florisht  in  king  Edwardes  raigne, 
the  fourth  king  of  that  name  ; 


_ 

Which  did  in  seruice  keepe  a  man, 

of  meane  and  low  degree, 
Which  of  a  child  he  had  brought  vp 

from  base  to  dignitie,  — 

[3] 

He  gaue  him  landes  and  liuinge  good, 

of  which  he  was  noe  heire, 
And  maried  him  to  a  galant  Dame, 

as  rich  as  she  was  faire. 

[i]  i  P.P.  begins  with  this  stanza  : 

You  Barons  bold,  ma[r]ke  and  behold 

the  thinge  that  I  will  rite  ; 
A  story  strange  and  yett  most  true 

I  purpose  to  Endite  ; 

3  raigne  :  MS.  substitutes  for  daies.  [2]  3  of  :  read  as. 

[3]  4  The  two  stanzas  following  are  added  from  P.P. 

35' 


THE  NOBLE  PEER  WHILE  HE  LIVED  HERE 


[It  came  to  passe  in  tract  of  time 
his  wealth  did  soe  excell, 

His  riches  did  surpasse  them  all 
that  in  that  shire  did  dwell. 

Who  was  soe  braue  as  Banister  ? 

or  who  durst  with  him  contend  ? 
Which  wold  not  be  desirous  still 

to  be  his  daylye  freind  ?] 


. 

But  out,  alas  !  it  came  to  passe, 

and  soe  the  strife  beganne, 
The  maister  he  constrained  was 

to  seeke  succour  at  the  man. 

[5] 

King  Richard  the  third  he  got  the  sword, 
forswore  himselfe  t'  bee  king  ; 

Murdered  two  princes  in  their  beddes, 
the  which  much  strife  did  bringe. 

[6] 
This  noble  Duke  when  he  saw  that, 

that  vile  and  wicked  deed, 
Against  this  Tyrant  rais'd  an  hoast 

of  armed  men  with  speede. 


. 

But  when  the  king  that  he  heard  tell, 
a  mightie  hoast  he  sent 

W  i,  * 

For  then  it  came  to  passe  ;  more  woe,  alas  ! 
for  sorrowes  then  began  (P.F.}. 

5]  I  he  got  :  swaying  (P.P.)  ;   2  cryed  himselfe  a  kinge  (P.P.). 
6]  i,  2 

And  then  the  duke  of  Buckingham 
hating  this  bloody  deede  (P.P.}. 

352 


I  THE  NOBLE  PEER  WHILE  HE  LIVED  HERE 

Against  the  Duke  of  Buckingham, 
his  purpose  to  prevent. 


[8] 
When  the  Duke  his  souldiers  they  h[e]ard  tell, 

feare  pearst  their  hartes  eich  on[e]  ; 
That  all  his  souldiers  fled  by  night 

and  left  this  worthie  Duke  alone. 


[9] 

Then  in  extreame  neede  he  tooke  his  steede, 

and  poasted  night  and  day  ; 
Vnto  his  owne  man  Banister, 

these  wordes  to  him  did  say  : 


"  O  Banister,  sweet  e  Banister, 
pittie  thou  my  cause,"  quoth  hee  ; 

"  And  hyde  me  from  my  cruell  foes, 
which  thus  pursueth  mee." 


"  O  you  are  welcome,  my  maister  deere, 

you  are  hartelie  welcome  heere  ; 
And  like  a  frend  I  will  you  keepe, 

although  it  cost  me  deere." 

[8]  I  Duke  his  :  read  Duke's.  P.P.  has  and  when  the  duke's  people 
>f  this  heard  tell  ;  3  all  :  many  of  (P.  F.)  ;  4  and  left  :  perhaps  and  left 
he  Duke  alone.  P.P.  has  and  left  him  one  by  one. 

[9]  4  in  secrett  there  to  stay  (P.F.). 

[10]  4  thus  pursueth  :  here  accuseth  (P.P.). 

[i  i]  3  And  as  my  liffe  He  keepe  you  safe  (P*F.). 

Z  353 


THE  NOBLE  PEER  WHILE  HE  LIVED  HERE 

[12] 

His  velvet  sute  then  he  put  of[f], 

his  chaine  of  gould  likewise  ; 
An  ould  letherne  coate  he  put  vpon, 

and  all  to  blinde  the  people's  eise. 


Sayinge,  "  Banister,  O  Banister, 

O  Banister,  be  true  !  " 
"  Christ  his  curse  then  light  on  me  and  myne, 

if  ever  I  be  false  to  you." 


An  ould  felt  hat  he  put  on  his  head. 

ould  letherne  slopes  also  ; 
A  hedginge  bill  vpon  his  necke, 

and  soe  to  the  woodes  did  goe. 

[15] 

This  worthie  Duke  went  to  the  woodes, 

as  did  not  him  beseeme, 
And  soe  in  sorrow  spent  his  dais, 

as  he  some  drudge  had  beene. 

* 

[And  there  he  liued  long  vnknowen, 

and  still  vnknowne  might  bee, 
Till  Banister  for  hope  of  gaine 

betray'd  him  ludaslye.] 

[12]  i  The  order  of  stanzas  12  and   13  is  reversed  in  P.P.  ;  3  Andj 
soe  he  did  his  veluett  capp  (P.P.)  ;  4  and  all  :  omit. 

!i  3]  3  Christ  his  :  read  Christ's  ;  4  omit  ever. 
^14]  I  a  lethern  lerkyn  on  his  backe  (P.  F.)  ;  2  slopes  :  i.e.  trousers  ; 
4  Here  P.P.  adds  the  following  stanza  :  — 

An  old  felt  hat  vppon  his  head, 

with  20  holes  therin  ; 
And  soe  in  labor  he  spent  the  time, 

as  tho  some  drudge  he  had  beene. 


[15]  1-4  Not  in  P.P. 


The  stanza  following  is  added  from  P.P. 

354 


THE  NOBLE  PEER  WHILE  HE  LIVED  HERE 

[16] 

A  proclamation  there  was  made, 

whosoeuer  then  could  bringe 
Newes  of  the  Duke  of  Buckingham 

vnto  Richard  the  kinge, 


[17] 

A  thousand  pound  should  be  his  fee, 
of  gould  and  money  bright, 

And  be  preferred  by  his  grace 
and  made  a  worthie  knight. 


[18] 

When  Banister  that  he  h[e]ard  tell, 
he  to  the  Court  did  hye  ; 

And  he  betraid  his  maister  deere 
for  luker  of  that  fee. 


[19] 

King  Richard  then  he  sent  in  hast 
a  mightie  hoast  with  arrowes  good, 

And  for  to  take  this  worthie  Duke, 
as  he  was  wander inge  in  the  wood. 

[17]  I  thousand  pound  :    1000  markes  (P.F.). 
[18]  2  straight  to  the  court  sent  hee  (P.P.). 
[19]  1-4  Not  in  P.P.,  which  has  instead 

A  herald  of  armes  there  was  sent 
and  men  with  weapons  good, 

Who  did  attach  this  noble  Duke 

where  he  was  labouring  in  the  wood  ; 

t,  4  Both  lines  have  too  many  syllables. 

355 


THE  NOBLE  PEER  WHILE  HE  LIVED  HERE 

s 

[20] 

And  when  the  Duke  that  he  saw  that, 
he  wronge  his  handes  with  wooe. 

"  O  false  Banister"  quoth  he, 

"  why  hast  thou  serued  thy  maister  soe  ? 

[21] 

"  O  Banister,  false  Banister, 

woe  worth  thy  f  ained  hart ! 
Thou  hast  betraid  thy  maister  deere, 

and  play'd  a  treator's  part !  " 

[22] 

The  noble  Duke  to  London  was  brought, 

in  his  great  feare  and  dread, 
And  straight  in  prison  he  was  cast 

and  Judg'd  to  loase  his  head. 


[23] 

Then  Banister  went  to  the  court, 
hopeinge  these  gifts  to  haue  ; 

And  straight  in  prisson  he  was  cast, 
and  hard  his  life  to  saue. 


Noe  frend  he  found  in  his  distresse, 
nor  yet  noe  frend  at  neede  ; 

[20]  i  Stanzas  20-21  have  a  wholly  different  wording,  though  the 
same  general  contents,  in  the  P.P.  ;  3  Perhaps  O  thou  false,  etc.  ;  4  thjr 
maister  :  perhaps  reading  should  be  me,  for  sake  of  the  metre. 

[22]  1-4  In  the  P.P.  this  stanza  runs  : — 

Then  Fraught  with  feare  and  many  a  teare, 

with  sorrowes  almost  dead, 
This  noble  Duke  of  Buckingham 

att  Salsbury  lost  his  head. 

356 


[E  NOBLE  PEER  WHILE  HE  LIVED  HERE 

But  euerie  man  reviled  him 

for  his  most  hatefull  wicked  deed. 


His  eldest  sonne  starke  mad  did  runne ; 

his  daughter  drouned  was 
Within  a  shallow  runninge  streame, 

which  did  all  danger  passe. 


Accordinge  to  his  owne  desyre, 
godes  curse  did  on  him  fale ; 

That  all  his  wealth  consumed  quyte, 
and  soe  was  wasted  all. 


[27] 

Yonge  Banister  liu'd  longe  in  shame, 

but  at  the  length  did  dye  ; 
And  soe  our  lord  he  shew'd  his  wrath 

for  his  father's  villanye. 

524]  4  Omit  wicked. 
25]    i   The  P.P.  reverses  the    order  of   stanzas   25    and   26.      For 
([25]  i,  2  it  reads  : — 

For  one  of  his  sones  for  greeffe  Starke  madd  did  fall ; 
the  other  For  sorrow  drowned  was. 

|It  then  adds  this  stanza  : — 

His  daugter  right  of  bewtye  bright, 

to  such  lewde  liffe  did  Fall 
That  shee  dyed  in  great  miserye ; 

and  thus  they  were  wasted  all. 


[27]  i  Yonge  :  Old  (P.F.)  ;  3,  4 

ord 

echi 

357 


And  thus  they  Lord  did  plague  them  al 
For  this  his  trecherye  (P.f.\ 


THE  NOBLE  PEER  WHILE  HE  LIVED  HERE 

[28] 

Good  lord,  preserue  our  noble  kinge, 

and  send  him  longe  proceede  ; 
And  god  send  euerie  distressed  man 

a  better  frend  at  need  ! 

fini*. 

[28]  i  kinge  :  i.e.  James  I.     P.P.  has  Now  god  blesse  our  king  an 
councell  graue. 


358 


70  ' 

Of  Gates by ',  Faux^  and  Garnet 

Stowe  MS.  182,  fols.  47-47v.  In  the  MS.,  which  belongs  to  the 
(latter  part  of  the  reign  of  James  I.,  the  ballad  is  written  in  three-line 

mzas.  Though  the  metre  is  rough,  as  a  burlesque  the  ballad  is  wholly 
[delightful,  and  it  is  perhaps  more  nearly  contemporaneous  with  the  Plot 
lan  any  other  ballad  yet  discovered.  For  other  poetical  effusions  on 
[the  Gunpowder  Plot  see  Professor  C.  H.  Firth's  excellent  Ballad  History 
\of  the  Reign  of  James  I.  (Transactions  of  the  Royal  Historical  Society,  3rd 
| Series,  Vol.  V.). 

It  is  a  striking  commentary  on  the  personality  of  James  I.  that  even 
during  his  lifetime,  and  quite  openly  in  the  reign  of  Charles  I.,  the 
Gunpowder  Treason  was  regarded  as  a  legitimate  subject  for  burlesque. 
There  is  a  ridiculous  ballad  "  Upon  the  Gun-powder  Plot "  in  Choyce 
Drollery,  1656  (ed.  J.  W.  Ebsworth,  p.  40  :  cf.  Roxburghe  Ballads,  IV., 
273  ;  VIII.,  757), — certainly  somewhat  older  than  the  date  1656  would 
indicate, — of  which  one  stanza  may  be  quoted  for  illustration  : — 

And  will  this  wicked  world  never  prove  good  ? 

Will  Priests  and  Catholiques  never  prove  true  ? 

Shall  Cattily,  Piercy,  and  RookiuooJ 

Make  all  this  famous  Land  to  rue  ? 

With  putting  us  in  such  a  feare, 

With  huffing  and  snuffing  and  runt-powder , 

With  a  Ohone  houonorcera  tarrareera,  tarrareero  hone. 

As  another  illustration  take  this  passage  from  the  post-Restoration 
ballad  of  "The  Loyal  Subject"  (Pepys,  IV.,  243  ;  410  Rawlinson,  566, 
fol.  84  ;  Douce,  II.,  I43V,  etc.)  : — 

See  the  Squibs,  and  hear  the  Bells, 

the  fifth  day  of  November, 
The  Preacher  a  sad  Story  tells, 
And  with  horror  doth  remember, 
how  some  dry-brain 'd  traitors  wrought 
Plots,  that  would  to  ruine  brought, 

both  King  and  every  member. 

One  of  Antony  a  Wood's  MS.  ballads  (Wood,  417,  fols.  24-24^)  is  a 
quaint  disputation  between  a  Jesuit  and  a  Presbyterian,  in  which  the 
crux  of  the  discussion  hinges  upon  the  question  whether  the  Gunpowder 
Plot  or  the  execution  of  Charles  I.  was  the  more  heinous  crime.  It 
begins  : — 

359 


N 

OF  CATESBY,  FAUX,  AND  GARNET 

Jack  presbiter  &  a  sonn  of  the  pope 
had  of.late  a  dispute  of  aright  to  the  rope  : 
who  meritted  hanging  without  any  hope  ? — 
ivck  nobody  can  deny. 

First  Jack  began,  and  bade  him  remember 
A  horrible  plott  on  the  5th  of  nouember, 
that  very  month  preceadeing  december, 


''The  3Oth  of  January,"  the  other  replyed, 

"  wee  heard  on  't  at  Roome,  it  can't  be  denyed  ; 

had  Jack  bin  Loyall.  then  Charles  had  not  dy'd, 


A  later  stanza  runs  :  — 


"  Oh  powder  treason,  oh  horrible  plott  !  " 
"  1  prethee,  deare  brother,  be  not  soe  hott  ; 
for  Charles  was  kil'd,  but  Jammy  was  not. 


But  occasionally  ballad-writers  treated  the  Plot  seriously  :  of  such  a 
nature  are  the  lines  beginning  "  My  Masters  all,  awake  from  sleep,  1 
pray"  in  A  Loyal  Garland  of  Mirth  and  Pastime,  1685,  and  the  ballad 
on  "The  Gun-Powder  Plot  "  in  the  Pepys  Collection.  The  latter,  as 
well  as  a  broadsheet  in  the  Collections  of  the  Society  of  Antiquaries,  is 
reprinted  for  comparison  with  the  present  ballad. 


a 


Of  Catesby,  Faux,  and  Garnet, 
a  Story  Fie  you  tell-a, 

And  of  a  Rare  Plott, 
ne're  to  be  forgott, 

And  eke  how  it  befell-a. 


All  on  the  4th  of  November, 
the  Papists  they  had  a  drift-a 

Quite  for  to  destroy 
brave  England' s  joy, 

And  to  blow  it  all  vp  on  the  fifth- a. 

360 


OF  CATESBY,  FAUX,  AND  GARNET 

[3] 
Soe  many  Barretts  of  Gunpowder, 

the  like  was  never  seen-a, 
That  eke  that  the  match 

had  chanc'd  for  to  catch, 
Good  L[or]d,  where  should  we  all  have  been-a 

w 

Why  we  should  all  have  been  slaine  outright, 
for  marke  what  thee  varlets  had  don-a, 

They  had  sett  soe  many  Barrells 
to  decide  all  our  Quarrells, 

Nay  they  had  don't  as  sure  as  a  Gun-a. 

[5] 

O  Varlets  that  esteeme  noe  more 

3  K[ing]doms  than  3  shillings ! 
It  were  a  Good  deed 

to  hang  'm  with  Speed^ — 
Oh  out  vppon  them  Villaines ! 

[6] 
But  now  these  Papists  their  designs 

we  care  not  for  a  louse-a  ; 
For  fit  as  it  was, 

it  soe  came  to  passe 
That  the  Plot  was  blown  vp,  not  the  house-a 

[7] 
For  our  King  he  went  to  the  Parliam[en]t 

to  meet  his  Noble  Peers-a  ; 
But  if  he  had  knowne 

where  he  should  have  been  blown, 
He  durst  not  have  gori  for  his  Eares-a. 

[3]  3  that  the  :  read  if  the. 

[4]  2  thee  :  i.e.  the  ;   5  don't  :  I.e.  done   t. 

36l 


OF  CATESBY,  FAUX,  AND  GARNET 

[8] 

Then,  "  Powder  I  smell,"  quoth  our  gracious  King 
(now  our  King  was  an  excellent  smeller)  ; 

And  lowder  and  lowder, 

quoth  the  King,  "  I  smell  powder  "  ; 

And  downe  he  run  into  the  Cellar. 


And  when  he  came  the  Cellar  into, 

and  was  the  danger  amid-a, 
He  found  that  the  traine 

had  not  been  in  vaine, 
Had  he  not  come  downe  as  he  did-a. 

[10] 

Then  the  Noble-men  that  there  stood  by 
and  heard  the  words  of  the  King-a,  — 

"  Ah,  my  So[u]l,  if  the  Fire 
had  come  a  little  nigher, 

'Twould  have  made  vs  all  flye  without  wing-a  !  " 


[10]  3  Fire  :  read  Fi-er. 


362 


7i 

O  Lord,  we  have  continual  cause 

From  a  broadside  in  the  Library  of  the  Society  of  Antiquaries, 
London  (Lemon's  Catalogue  of  Broadsides,  p.  77)  :  white  letter,  no  cuts, 
printed  in  two  columns  with  ornamental  border  running  around  the 
four  edges  of  the  sheet.  There  is  no  stanza-division  in  the  original. 
The  sheet  appeared  only  a  short  time  before  the  death  of  James  I. 


a  «>ong  or  p0alme  of 

in  remembrance  Of  OUr  great  deliuerance 

from  the  Gun-powder  Treason,  the  fift  of 

Nouember,    1  605. 


O  Lord,  we  haue  continuall  cause 

thy  mercies  to  remember  ; 
For  thou  hast  bin  our  God  and  guide, 

our  Keeper  and  Defender, 
Deliuering  vs  from  those  Attempts 

that  wicked  men  haue  sought 
Against  thy  truth,  against  thy  Saints, 

to  bring  them  vnto  nought. 


Amongst  the  great  Deliuerances, 
thou  hast  this  Land  affoorded, 

There  is  one  chiefe,  that  doth  deserue 
in  heart  to  be  recorded  : 

O  let  vs  not  forget,  good  Lord, 
but  grant  we  may  remember, 

363 


O  LORD,  WE  HAVE  CONTINUAL  CAUSE 

What  thou  didst  do  for  vs  and  ours, 
the  fift  day  of  Nouember. 


[3] 

That  when  we  on  our  beds  did  rest, 

the  night  before,  secure  ; 
Next  day  prepared  was  for  vs 

great  sorrowes  to  endure. 

When  that  our  King,  Queene,  Prince  &  Peeres, 
*  our  commons  chiefe  and  best, 
In  Parliament  should  meet  to  make 

good  Lawes  to  guide  the  rest, 


w 

A  hellish  blast  with  powder  mad 

from  vnder  them  should  rise, 
To  cast  them  vp  into  the  aire 

betwixt  the  earth  and  skies. 
When  as  in  health  and  strength  they  were, 
-  and  danger  none  did  feare, 
A  hideous  cracke  and  cruell  blow 

in  peeces  them  should  teare. 


[5] 

No  cruell  beast  more  eager  then, 

and  greedier  of  his  pray, 
Then  Antichrist  his  priests  and  slaues 

were  of  our  Hues  that  day. 
They  thought  our  ruine  to  haue  wrought 

in  twinckling  of  an  eye, 
But  God,  our  great  Deliuerer, 

this  mischiefe  did  descry. 

[4]  i  mad  :  i.e.  made.  [5]  3  Then  :  i.e.  than. 

364 


O  LORD,  WE  HAVE  CONTINUAL  CAUSE 

[6] 

And  when  that  they  the  spoile  did  thinke 

amongst  them  to  deuide, 
The  high  and  mighty  Lord  of  hoasts 

their  counsels  did  deride, — 
By  making  lames,  our  royall  King, 

so  quicke  in  apprehension, 
As  to  discouer  and  preuent 

Rome's  Diuels'  deepe  intention. 

[73 

So  that  the  net  and  snare  is  broke, 

Hel's  counsell  is  reueled, 
That  from  the  ages  for  to  come 

it  may  not  be  concealed. 
Now  we  that  Hue  may  sing  a  Psalme 

of  praise  and  thankes  to  him  ; 
And  where  that  they  with  shame  did  end,- 

with  ioy  we  may  begin. 


[8] 

And  say  :  "  O  Lord,  to  thee  alone, 

alone  to  thee,  O  Lord, 
The  Praise  is  due,  the  praise  is  due,: 

euen  all  with  on[e]  accord  ; 
Nothing  there  was  in  vs  that  did 

deserue  this  loue  of  thee  ; 
It  was  thy  loue  and  mercie  great 

bestowed  on  vs  most  free. 


[9] 

It  was  thy  loue  vnto  thy  name, 
and  to  thy  Saints  most  deare, 

That  mou'd  thee  thus  to  deale  with  vs 
in  danger  when  we  were  ; 

365 


O  LORD,  WE  HAVE  CONTINUAL  CAUSE 

Euen  while  we  Hue  we  will  confesse, 

to  thy  eternall  praise, 
That  by  this  great  Deliuerance  wrought 

thou  hast  renewed  our  daies. 


[10] 

And  giuen  vs  time  for  to  repent 

and  to  amend  our  Hues, 
And  of  thy  mercies  manifold 

the  higher  for  to  prize. 
O  let  the  practise  of  these  men 

against  thy  children  deare 
Make  vs  to  hate  their  wicked  wayes, 

and  thee  the  more  to  feare. 


And  grant  that  we  may  still  detest 

that  doctrine  and  that  sinne 
That  teacheth  vs  to  eate  our  God 

and  eke  to  kill  our  King. 
And  euermore  whiPst  that  our  Hues 

and  breath  in  vs  doth  last, 
To  lay  vp  in  our  hearts  thy  law, 

and  there  to  keepe  it  fast ; 


[12] 

That  by  the  same  we  may  be  kept 
from  errors  grosse  and  nought, 

Vntill  we  haue  obtain'd  that  crowne 
that  Christ  for  vs  hath  bought. 

[n]  2  doctrine  :  i.e.  of  transubstantiation. 

366 


O  LORD,  WE  HAVE  CONTINUAL  CAUSE 

Lord  blesse  thy  Church,  preserue  our  King 

and  Prince  and  Race  royall, 
Prolong  their  dayes,  make  them  the  meanes 

of  Antichrist's  downfall. 

amen.    T.  s. 

London,  Printed  by  William  lones.      1625. 
„    [12]  5  King  :  i.e.  James  I.  ;  6  Prince  :  i.e.  Charles,  Prince  of  Wales. 


367 


True  Protestants,  I  pray  you,  do 
draw  near 

From  a  printed  broadside,  probably  unique,  in  the  Pepys  Collection, 
II.,  370.  The  text  dates  several  years  after  the  Restoration,  though  it 
may  be  considerably  older  originally.  For  the  tune  see  Chappell's 
Popular  Music,  I.,  167. 

(SuiHpatiJfcer  plot: 

©r, 

&  Brief  account  of  tftat  bioufcg  anfc  subtle  Qf  sign 

laifc  against  tfjr  Eing»  j)is  Hov&s  anfc  Commons 

in  ^aritamnU,  antr  of  a  JJapps  Qfitbrrancr  fop 

iDibine 


To  the  Tune  of  Aim  not  too  high.    Htcettsetr  ac  cortrtng  to  Ortretr. 

[I]  ' 

True  Protestants,  I  pray  you,  do  draw  near, 
Unto  this  Ditty  lend  attentive  Ear  ; 
The  Lines  are  New,  although  the  Subject's  Old, 
Likewise  it  is  as  true  as  e'er  was  told. 


When  James  the  First  in  England,  Reigned  King, 
Under  his  Royal,  Gracious,  Princely  Wing 
Religion  flourished,  both  in  Court  and  Town, 
Which  wretched  Romans  strove  to  trample  down. 

[3] 

To  their  old  plotting  Trade  they  strait  did  go 
To  prove  Three  Kingdom's  final  Overthrow,  — 
368 


TRUE  PROTESTANTS  DO  DRAW  NEAR 

A  Plot  contriv'd  by  Catholicks  alone, 
The  like  before  or  since  was  never  known. 


w 

Rome's  Counsel  did  together  often  meet, 
For  to  contrive  which  way  they  might  compleat 
This  bloudy  Treason  ;  which  they  took  in  hand 
Against  the  King  and  Heads  of  all  the  Land. 


At  length  these  wretched  Romans  all  agreed 
Which  way  to  make  the  King  and  Nation  bleed  ; 
By  Powder,  all  agreed  with  joint  Consent, 
To  Blow  up  both  the  King  and  Parliament. 

[6] 

For  to  keep  secret  this  their  Villany 
By  solemn  Oaths  they  one  another  tye  ; 
Nay  farther,  being  void  of  Grace  and  Shame, 
Each  took  the  Sacrament  upon  the  same. 

[7] 

Their  Treason  wrapt  in  this  black  Mantle  then, 
Secure  and  safe  from  all  the  Eyes  of  Men, 
They  did  not  fear  ;  but  by  one  fatal  Blow 
To  prove  the  Church  and  Kingdom's  Overthrow. 


[8] 

Catesby,  with  all  the  other  Romish  Crew, 
This  Powder  Plot  did  eagerly  pursue  ; 
Yet  after  all  their  mighty  cost  and  care, 
Their  own  Feet  soon  was  taken  in  the  Snare. 


2  A 


369 


TRUE  PROTESTANTS  I  PRAY  YOU 

'       .  [9] 

Under  the  House  of  the  Great  Parliament, 
This  Romish  Den  and  Devils,  by  consent, 
The  Hellish  Powder-Plot  they  formed  there, 
In  hopes  to  send  all  flying  in  the  Air. 

[10] 

Barrels  of  Powder  privately  convey'd, 
Billets  and  Bars  of  Iron,  too,  was  laid, 
To  tear  up  all  before  them  as  they  flew, 
A  black  Invention  by  this  dismal  Crew. 


And  with  the  fatal  Blow  all  must  have  flown,  — 
The  gracious  King  upon  his  Royal  Throne, 
His  gracious  Queen,  likewise  their  Princely  Heir,  — 
All  must  have  dy'd  and  perish'd  that  was  there. 

[12] 

The  House  of  Noble  Lords  of  high  Degree, 

By  this  unheard  of,  bloudy  Tragedy, 

Their  Limbs  in  sunder  strait  would  have  been  tore> 

And  filPd  the  Air  with  noble,  bloudy  gore. 

[13] 

The  worthy,  learned  Judges,  Grave  and  Sage, 
The  Commons,  too,  all  must  have  felt  Romis  rage  ; 
Had  not  the  Lord  of  Love  stept  in  between, 
Oh,  what  a  dismal  Slaughter  had  there  been. 

[14] 

The  King,  the  Queen,  and  Barons  of  the  Land, 
The  Judges,  Gentry,  did  together  stand 
On  Ruine's  brink,  while  Rome  the  blow  should  give,  — 
They'd  but  the  burning  of  a  Match  to  live. 

370 


DO  DRAW  NEAR 

[IS] 

But  that  the  Great  God  that  sits  in  Heaven  high 
He  did  behold  their  bloudy  Treachery  ; 
He  made  their  own  Hand-writing  soon  betray 
The  Work  which  they  had  Plotted  many  a  day. 

[16] 

The  Lord  in  Mercy  did  his  Wisedom  send 
Unto  the  King,  his  People  to  Defend  ; 
Which  did  reveal  the  hidden  Powder-Plot, 
A  gracious  Mercy  ne'er 'to  be  forgot. 

[17] 

And  brought  Romis  Faction  unto  Punishment, 
Which  did  the  Powder  Treason  first  invent ; 
And  all  that  ever  Plots  I  hope  God  will, 
That  the  true  Christian  Church  may  flourish  still. 

Printed  for  P.  Brooksby,  J.  Deacon,  J.  Blare,  J.  Back. 
[15]  I  But  that  :  read  But. 


371 


73  I 

Christmas  is  my  name 

Addit.  MS.  38,599,  fols.  142-143.  This  interesting  MS.,  a  seven 
teenth-century  commonplace  book,  account  book,  and  diary  of  the 
Shanne  family  of  Yorkshire,  contains  thirteen  ballads,  which  are  prefaced 
by  the  title,  "  Certaine  pretie  songes  hereafter  followinge,  Drawn 
together  by  Richard  Shanne,  1611,"  but  a  number  of  which,  like  the 
present  ballad,  date  about  1624. 

This  ballad  is  a  distinctly  Catholic  production,  lamenting  the  decay 
of  Christmas  festivities  under  the  regime  of  Protestants  and  Puritans. 
The  ballad  was  sung  to  the  tune  of  Now  the  Spring  is  come  (cf.  Roxburghe 
Ballads,  L,  154  ;  Popular  Music,  II.,  464),  and  not  improbably  it  was 
connected  with  the  "  northerne  songe  of  He  awaie  "  that  was  licensed  for 
publication  on  August  15,  1586.  A  non-extant  ballad  of  "Christmas 
Delightes"  was  licensed  on  December  12,  1593,  and  a  far  from  gloomy 
account  of  Christmas  is  given  in  a  prose  and  verse  pamphlet,  by  the 
celebrated  ballad-monger,  Laurence  Price,  called  Make  Room  for  Christmas. 

a  €>onse  beaailinge  tlje  tpme  of  Christmas, 
g>o  mucti  DecapeD  in  England. 

M  : 

Christmas  is  my  name, 

Fair  have  I  gone,  have  I  gone,  have  I  gone, 
Have  I  gone  with  out  regarde, 

Where  as  great  men  by  flockes  they  be  flowen,  they  be 

flowen, 
They  be  flowen,  they  be  flowen  to  London  warde, 

Where  they  in  pompe  and  pleasure  do  waste 
That  which  Christmas  had  wont  to  feast, 

Wellay  daie  ! 
Houses  where  musicke  was  wonted  to  ringe, 

Nothinge  but  Batts  and  Ouls  now  do  singe. 
Wellay  daie,  wallay  daie,  wallay  daie,  where  should  I  stay  ? 

372 


CHRISTMAS  IS  MY  NAME 

M 

Christmas  bread  and  Beefe  is  turn'd  into  stons,  into 

stons,  into  stons, 
Into  Stones  and  Silken  ragges ; 
And  ladie  monie  it  doth  slepe,  It  doth  slepe,  It  doth 

sleepe, 

It  doth  sleepe  in  Mysers'  bagges. 
Where  manie  gallantes  once  abounde 

Nought  but  A  dogg  and  A  Sheperd  is  founde, 

Wellay  day  ! 
Places  where  Christmas  revells  did  keepe 

Are  now  becom  habitations  for  Sheepe. 
W allay  day,  wallay  day,  wellay  day,  where  should  I  stay  ? 

[3] 

Pan,  the  Shepherdes  God,   doth  deface,  doth  deface, 
doth  deface, 

Doth  deface  Ladie  Ceres'  crowne  ; 
And  Tilliges  doth  decay,  doth  decay,  doth  decay, 

Doth  decay  in  everie  towne. 
Landlordes  their  rentes  so  highly  Inhaunce 

That  Peares  the  plowman  barefoote  doth  daunce, 

Wellay  day  / 
Farmers  that  Christmas  would  Intertaine 

Hath  scarselie  withall  them  selves  to  mantaine. 
Wellay  day,  wellay  day,  wellay  day,  where  should  I  stay  ? 

W 

Go  to  the  Protestant,  hele  protest,  hele  protest,  hele 

protest, 

He  will  protest  and  bouldlie  boaste  ; 
And  to  the  Puritine,  he  is  so  hote,  he  is  so  hote,  he  is  so 

hote, 
He  is  so  hote  he  will  burne  the  Roast ; 

[2]  5  abounde  :  read  did  abounde.  [3]  3  Tilliges :  i.e.  tillage. 

[4]  3  The  last  he  is  written  in  MS.  as  one  word ;  4  he  is :  one  word  in  MS. 

373 


CHRISTMAS  IS  MY  NAME 

The  Catholike  good  deedes  will  not  scorne, 
Nor  will  not  see  pore  Christmas  for-lorne, 
Wellay  Day  I 

Since  Holmes  no  good  deedes  will  do, 
Protestantes  had  best  turn  Papistes,  too, 

Wellay  day,  Wellay  day,  wellay  day,  where  should  I  stay 


[5] 

Pride  and  Luxurie  doth  devoure,  doth  devoure,  doth 
devoure, 

Doth  devoure  house-kepinge  quite, 
And  Beggarie  doth  beget,  doth  begett,  doth  begett, 

Doth  begett  in  manie  A  knight. 
Madam,  for-sooth,  in  Cooch  she  must  reele, 

Although  she  weare  her  hoose  out  at  heele, 

Wellay  day  ! 
And  on  her  backe  were  that  for  her  weede 

That  woulde  both  me  and  manie  other  feede. 
Wellay  day,  W allay  day,  wellay  day,  where  should  I  stay  ? 


[6] 

Breefelye  for  to  ende,  here  I  fynde,  here  I  fynde, 

Here  I  fynde  such  great  vacation 

That  some  great  houses  do  seeme  to  have,  Seme  to  have, 
seeme  to  have, 

For  to  have  some  great  Purgation  ; 
With  Purginge  Pills  such  effectes  they  have  Shewed 

That  out  of  dores  theyr  owners  they  have  spewed. 

Wellay  day  ! 
And  when  Christmas  goes  by  and  calles, 

Nothinge  but  solitude  and  naked  walls. 
Wellay  day,  Wellay  day,  wellay  day,  where  should  I  stale  ? 

[5]  5  Cooch  :  i.e.  Coach  ;  8  were  :  i.e.  wear. 

374 


CHRISTMAS  IS  MY  NAME 

[7] 

PbilemeVs  Cottages  are  turn'd  into  gould,  into  gould, 

Into  gould  for  harboringe  Jove  ; 
And  great  men's  houses  vp  for  to  hould,  vp  for  to  houlde, 

Vp  for  to  hould  make  great  men  mone  ; 
But  in  the  Cittie  they  saie  they  do  live, 

Where  gould  by  handfulls  away  they  do  give, 

Wellay  day  ! 
And,  therefore,  thither  I  purpose  to  passe, 

Hopinge  at  london  to  fynde  the  goulden  Asse. 
He  away,  lie  away,  lie  away,  lie  no  longer  staie. 


[7]  i  Philemel's  :  i.e.  Philemon's. 


375 


74  . 

Let  bare-footed  beggars  still  walk 
in  the  street 

Addit.  MS.  23,723,  fols.  I7v-i8.  Several  bars  of  music  are  given  at 
the  end  of  this  attractive  ballad.  The  MS.  dates  about  1620,  but  the 
ballad  is  several  years  older.  At  the  beginning  of  the  verses  the  compiler 
of  the  MS.  wrote  :  "  His  witte  was  indifferent  that  made  this  following 
rime,  but  for  his  wisedome  I  leave  it  to  the  grave  and  wise  to  be 
censured." 

The  extravagant  gifts  which  James  I.  bestowed  upon  his  countrymen, 
somewhat  at  the  expense  of  the  English,  caused  much  ill  feeling.  Many 
ballads  on  the  Scotch  "  beggars  "  are  extant  :  they  were  widely  circulated 
at  the  time,  and  versions  almost  identical  with  the  present  ballad  (a  very 
early  specimen)  are  preserved  in  other  MSS.  Of  the  same  general 
description,  too,  are  "  A  Songe  of  a  fine  Skott  "  printed  in  Fairholt's 
Satirical  Songs  and  Poems,  Percy  Society,  1849,  P«  I27  >  "Our  Scottish- 
men  are  beggars  yet,"  in  MS.  Rawlinson  Poet.  160,  fol.  179  ;  and  a 
ballad  in  the  Percy  Folio  MS.  (ed.  Hales  and  Furnivall,  II.,  43).  The 
subject  is  adequately  discussed  by  Professor  C.  H.  Firth  in  the  Trans 
actions  of  the  Royal  Historical  Society,  3rd  Series,  V.,  23  f.  Addit.  MS. 
23,723,  it  may  be  added,  contains  a  number  of  songs  on  James  I.,  some 
of  which  have  not  been  reprinted. 


Let  barefooted  beggers  still  walke  in  the  streete 
in  ragged  attire,  as  for  them  it  is  meete  ; 

For  it  is  most  certaine,  and  ofte  hath  bene  triede, 
set  a  beggar  on  horsebacke,  and  then  he  will  ride 
a-galloppe,  a-galloppe. 


. 

Our  ould  English  beggars  in  summer  did  swarme 
at  Fayers  and  markets,  at  feaste  and  at  ferme  ; 

[2]  2  ferme  :  i.e.  farme. 
376 


LET  BEGGARS  STILL  WALK  IN  THE  STREET 

Theire  certaine,  by  begging,  eche  day  was  supplide  ; 
also  for  a  peny  for  good  ale  they'de  ride 
a-begging,  a-begging. 


[3] 
But  nowe  in  these  dayes  from  Scotland  we  see, 

for  one  English  begger,  of  Scottes  there  come  three  ; 
In  fayers  and  markets  they  scorne  to  abide, 

the  courte  is  theire  Couerte  to  mainteine  theire  pride 
by  begging,  by  begging. 


W 
Theire  bonny  blewe  bonnets  [ar]e  nowe  caste  away, 

and  beaver  and  fether  for  Jocky  is  gay  ; 
With   brave  golden  hatte-bandes  to  mainteine  theire 

pride, 

with  guilte  sworde  and  dagger  now  Jocky  must  ride 
a-begging,  a-begging. 


[5] 
Theire  russet  gray  mantles  both  threedbare  and  ould 

are  turned  to  scarlet,  all  laced  with  gould, 
Theire  belte  of  horse-leather  to  veluet  and  pearle, 
and  Jockie  will  caper  as  high  as  an  Earle 
by  begging,  by  begging. 

.        [6] 
Too  many  Scottsh  beggars  in  England  doe  dwell, 

by  Hobbie  and  Jockie  and  Jenny  and  Nell ; 
A  page  at  the  first,  of  a  page  grewe  a  knight, 
a  Lord  and  a  vicounte,  an  Eirle  (by  this  light) 
by  begging,  by  begging. 

[2]  3  Theire  :  i.e.  there. 

377 


LET  BEGGARS  STILL  WALK  IN  THE  STREET 

[7] 

You  lusty  young  gallants,  looke  well  to  your  handes, 
leste  stabbing  or  striking  you  forfeite  your  landes  ; 

At  one  place  or  other  theire  palfries  abide, 
your  living  once  forfeite,  then  Jockie  will  ride 
on-begging,  a-begging. 


I  thinke,  if  the  devill  of  hell  could  be  gotte, 

that  Jockie  would  begge  him,  or  some  other  Scotte 

Our  noble  king  James,  Lord  ever  defend, 

and  all  Scottish  beggars  soone  home  againe  send 
a-gallope,  a-gallope. 


378 


.    II        75     WK:jff§ 

/,  a  Constable,  have  took  mine  oath 

Harleian  MS.  367,  fol.  159.  The  ballad  is  in  six-line  stanzas  on  a 
single  "  broad-sheet  "  of  paper  which  has  been  pasted  into  the  MS. 
Practically  all  the  initial  letters  of  the  lines  are  torn  off  or  smudged,  and 
many  are  indecipherable. 

I  have  been  unable  to  discover  any  facts  about  the  author  of  this 
somewhat  cryptic  production.  It  appears  from  stanza  8,  with  its  address 
to  "  hearers,  sayers,  and  singers,"  that  the  ballad  was  actually  circulated 
in  print.  The  metre  is  rough,  the  phrasing  disjointed  and  occasionally 
vague  ;  but  the  curious  account  here  retailed  of  the  difficulties  attendant 
on  a  constable's  office,  and  especially  the  description  of  the  procedure  of 
the  courts,  is  of  considerable  interest.  Albury  is  presumably  the  Surrey 
parish.  In  connection  with  the  tune,  it  may  be  remarked  that  in  John 
Hilton's  Catch  That  Catch  Can,  1663,  p.  73,  one  of  the  catches  runs  :  — 

Come  jump  at  thy  Cosen  and  kiss, 
that  men  may  say  another  day. 
What  jumping  call  you  this  ? 

Though  the  date  1626  given  in  the  title  is  later  than  that  of  the 
other  ballads  in  this  volume,  the  ballad  is  included  because  it  obviously 
applies  to  Jacobean  courts  quite  as  well  as  to  those  of  Charles  I.,  who 
had  just  come  to  the  throne  when  Mr  Gyffon  wrote  his  song. 

€tie  song  of  a  constable:  mane  bp 

James    Gyffon,     Constable     Of    Alburyt, 

a[nn]o  1626. 

To  the  Tune  of  Jump  to  me,  Cossen. 


I,  a  constable,  haue  took  myne  oath 
by  which  shall  plaine  appeere 

The  troth  and  nothing  but  the  troath, 
whos[o]euer  my  song  will  heare. 

379 


I,  A  CONSTABLE,  HAVE  TOOK  MINE  OATH 

[O]ne  greate  Constable  of  Ingland  was, 

another  late  should  haue  ben  ; 
But  litle  ones  now  'tis  found  will  serue, 

so  they  be  but  honnest  men. 
A  Constable  must  be  honnest  and  Just, 

haue  knowledge  and  good  Reporte, 
And  able  to  straine  with  bodie  and  braine, 

ells  he  is  not  fitting  for't. 

w        .    •   ..  : 

Some  parish  putts  a  constable  on, 

alas  without  vnderstanding ; 
By  cause  they'd  Rule  him  when  they  haue  done, 

and  haue  him  at  their  comanding  ; 
And  if  he  commaunds  the  poore,  they'le  grutch 

and  twit  him  with  partial  blindnes ; 
[A]gaine  and  if  he  commaunds  the  rich, 

they'le  threaten  him  with  vnkindnes. 
To  charge  or  compell  'im  hee's  busie,  they'le  tell  'im, 

in  paying  of  rat[e]s  they'le  brawle. 
Falls  he  but  vnto  do  that  he  should  do, 

Tie  warnt  you  displease  them  all. 

[3] 

Whip  he  the  roagues,  they'le  raile  and  they'le  curse, 

soldiers  as  rude  cause  they  are  ; 
Sent  to  the  treasurer  with  their  passe, 

and  may  not  beg  euerye  where. 
[I]f  warrantes  do  come,  as  often  they  do, 

for  money,  then  he  it  demaundes. 
To  eu'rye  one  with's  rate  he  does  go, 

wherein  they  are  leuied  by  landes. 
They'le  say  then  he  gathers  vp  money  of  others 

to  put  to  vse  for  Increase  ; 
Ells  gathers  it  vp  to  run  awaye  wu't, — 

what  terrible  wordes  be  these  ! 

[2]  1 2  warnt :  i.e.  warrant. 
380 


I,  A  CONSTABLE,  HAVE  TOOK  MINE  OATH 

W 

Hearing  a  presse  for  souldiers,  they'le  start ; 

ells  hide  them  selues  when  we  come. 
Their  wiues  then  will  saye,  "  to  presse  wee  yee  maye, 

our  husbands  are  not  at  home." 
Coyne  for  magazens  sent  for  in  hast, 

much  ado  was  eare  they  yeilded  ; 
Yet's  gather'd  and  paid,  and  I  am  afraid 

they  will  not  in  hast  be  builded. 
The  Justices  will  set  vs  by  the  heeles 

if  wee  do  not  do  as  we  should  ; 
Which  if  we  performe,  the  townsmen  will  storme, — 

some  of  them  hang's  if  they  could. 

[s] 

The  constable's  warnde  to  th'  sessions  then, 

vnwilling  some  goes,  alas ! 
Yet  there  maye  wit  and  experience  lerne, 

if  that  he  be  not  an  asse. 
There  shall  he  see  the  Justices  set, 

here  three  of  O  yeses,  And 
Then  shall  he  here  the  comission  Read, 

though  litle  he  vnderstand. 
[Fo]ur  free  landed  men  are  calPd  for  in,  then, 

to  be  of  the  great  inquest  : 
the  cheife  of  our  townes,  with  hoare  on  their  crownes, 

that  what  should  be  done  knowes  best. 

[6] 

Choice  men  of  euerye  towne  in  the  sheire, 
3  Juries  their  must  be  more, 

[4]  3  A  ballad  of  a  Constable  in  Pills  to  Purge  Melancholy,  1719,  VI., 
236,  has  the  refrain, 

"  If  I  miss  the  Man,  I'll  Press  the  Wife  "  ; 
5  magazens  :  i.e.  magazines. 


I,  A  CONSTABLE,  HAVE  TOOK  MINE  OATH 

Cal'd  vnto  the  booke  with  here,  sir,  here, 

the  wisest  of  twentye  Before. 
Then  there  shal  he  see  whom  hath  transgrest 

punished  for  his  Offence  ; 
There  shall  he  here  an  number  amerct, 

along  of  their  negligence. 
What  things  are  amisse,  what  doings  there  is, 

Justices  charge  them  enquier 
'Fore  clarke  of  the  peace  and  baylies,  at  least 

a  dozen,  besides  the  Crier. 


[7] 

Verdicts  must  come  from  these  Juries  then, 

but  howsoeare  they  endite  them, 
They'le  not  be  tooke  till  next  day  by  ten, 

vnlesse  that  their  clarkes  do  wright  them. 
Ruffe  wordes  or  smoth  are  all  but  in  vaine, 

all  courts  of  profHt  do  sauour  ; 
And  though  the  case  be  neuer  so  plaine, 

yet  kissing  shall  go  by  fauour. 
They'le  punish  the  leastest  and  fauour  the  greatest, 

nought  may  against  them  proceede, 
And  who  may  dare  speak  'gainst  one  that  is  great — 

lawe  what  a  powlder  indeede  ! 


[8] 

[TJhus  Now  my  constableship's  neare  done, 

marke  heareres,  sayers,  and  singers,- — 
Not  an  officer  vnder  the  sunne 

but  does  looke  through  his  fingers. 

[7]  8  Cf.  Mercurius  Melancholicus,  No.  24  (1648),  p.  142  : — "I  see 
the  old  Proverb  verified,  Kissing  goes  by  favour  but  marriage  and  hanging 
goes  by  destiny."  There  is  a  ballad  of  "  Kissing  goes  by  Favour.  To 
the  tune  of  I  marry  and  thank  you  too"  in  the  British  Museum  (c.  20. 

r.  H/I). 

382 


I,  A  CONSTABLE,  HAVE  TOOK  MINE  OATH 

Yet  where  I  see  one  willing  to  mend, 

not  prating  nor  making  excuses, 
Such  a  one  if  I  can  Pie  befreind, 

and  punish  the  grosse  Abuses. 
My  counsel  now  vse,  you  that  are  to  chuse, 

put  able  man  euer  in  place  ; 
For  knaues  and  fooles  in  authoritye  do 

but  them  selues  and  their  countrie  disgrace. 


383 


Appendix  I 

When  Mary  was  great  with 
Gabriel 

Addit.  MS.  15,225,  fols.  48-55^  This  is  in  no  sense  a  ballad  but 
is  included  because  it  furnishes  a  good,  and  almost  unknown,  text  of  an 
interesting  old  Catholic  poem.  Furnivall  edited  another  version,  A 
Song  Called  Te  Deuelis  Perlament,  Or  Parlamentum  of  Feendis  (F.),  from 
MS.  853,  Lambeth  Palace  Library,  for  the  Early  English  Text  Society 
(Hymns  to  the  Virgin,  etc.,  pp.  41-57)  in  1867.  He  mentions  the  1509 
version  (^.)  printed  by  Wynkyn  de  Worde,  a  unique  copy  of  which  is 
preserved  in  the  Cambridge  University  Library.  There  is  a  modern 
reprint  of  this  work  made  by  Heber  for  presentation  to  the  Roxburghe 
Club  but  never  put  into  circulation  by  him  (Lowndes's  Bibliographer? 
Manual,  s.v.  Parliament  of  Fiends).  In  Warton-Hazlitt's  History  of  English 
Poetry,  III.,  166,  reference  is  made  to  the  Lambeth  MS,,  to  the  1509 
edition,  and  to  editions,  without  date,  by  Richard  Fakes  and  Julian 
Notary.  Perhaps  older  than  any  of  these  is  the  version  preserved  in 
Addit.  MS.  37,492,  fols.  83-90^  (^.).  It  is  considerably  shorter  than 
the  other  versions  named,  and  varies  widely  from  them,  among  other 
things  transposing  whole  blocks  of  lines.  E.g.,  stanzas  2-14,  as  printed 
below,  come  after  stanza  18.  It  ends  at  stanza  58,  line  4. 

F.  and  W.  consist  of  504  lines.  This  copy  has  but  490,  twelve  lines 
(21-32)  perhaps  being  purposely  omitted,  two  (stanza  20)  inadvertently. 
It  agrees  sometimes  with  IV.,  sometimes  with  F.,  and  sometimes  differs 
from  both  :  it  was  evidently  made  from  a  different  printed  version, 
perhaps  from  Fakes's  or  Notary's  (though  I  know  nothing  about  these 
editions).  No  attempt  is  made  here  at  printing  a  "  critical  text,"  so 
that  only  a  few  of  the  variant  readings  from  A.,  IV.,  and  F.  are  given, 
In  all  these  versions  the  metre  is  irregular. 

The  poem  covers  sketchily  the  life  of  Christ,  chief  emphasis  being 
placed  on  the  Temptation  and  the  Harrowing  of  Hell.  Ballads  dealing 
with  the  life  and  miracles  of  Christ  were  a  staple  production  of  the  pro 
fessional  ballad-mongers.  Typical  titles  are  those  of  "a  mournefull 
memory  of  the  Death  of  Christ,"  "  The  Devills  temptacon  to  Christ  our 
salvacon,"  and  "  ye  fyrst  fall  of  our  father  Adam  and  Eve  for  the  breache 
of  Gods  commandement  and  of  his  Recouerye  againe  by  the  pro 
mised  seede  Jesus  Christe,"  ballads  registered  during  1578-79  (Arber's 
Transcript,  II.,  342,  348). 

384 


WHEN  MARY  WAS  GREAT  WITH  GABRIEL 

C^c  parlament  of  Detotlte. 

[i]  ''  '  •-: 

When  marie  was  great  with  Gabriell, 

and  had  conceuid  and  borne  a  child, 
All  the  devills  of  th'ayre,  of  the  earth,  and  hell, 

held  their  Parlament  of  that  maiden  myld. 
What  man  had  made  her  wombe  to  swell, 

or  whoe  had  wrought  with  her  those  workes  wyld, 
That  child  his  father's  name,  —  whoe  could  tell  ? 

or  whoe  had  marie  soe  beguild  ? 


In  hell  the  feindes  they  answered  : 

"  We  near  knew  father  that  he  had, 
But  amongst  Prophets  we  haue  learned 

that  god  with  man  had  covenant  made  : 
*  As  a  serpent  in  desert  was  reared, 

soe  shall  godes  sonne  to  glorie  be  led  ; 
The  soule  of  hime  is  yet  vnspyred  ; 

hio  hart  the[y]  cloue  and  he  sore  bled.' 

[3] 

"  The  Prophetes  spake  soe,  in  the  myst, 
that  what  the[y]  meant  we  never  knew  ; 

They  spake  of  one  whoe  should  high[t]  Christ, 
but  mar  Us  sonne  he  hight  Jesu. 

[And  they  sayd  ye  Ciyst  w*  god  sholde  be  at  wyst  ; 

But  this  Ihesu  never  in  the  godhede  grewe. 
We  ben  begyled  all  with  our  lyst, 

The  clothe  is  all  of  another  hewe. 

[2]    2    near  :    i.e.   ne'er  ;    5    cf.   Numbers   xxi.  ;    7   vnspyred  :    i.e. 
unspoiled.     F.  reads  vnsperid  =  set  free,  unlocked. 
[3]  5-[4]  8  Added  from  W.     Also  in  F. 

2B  385 


WHEN  MARY  WAS  GREAT  WITH  GABRIEL 

W 

And  though^od  make  his  parlyment 

Of  peas,  mercy,  trouthe,  and  reason, 
And  from  heuen  to  erthe  his  sone  he  sent 

In  mankynde  to  take  a  ceason, 
We  shall  ordayne,  by  one  assent, 

A  preuy  counceyle  all  of  treason, 
And  clayme  Ihesu  for  our  rent  ; 

For  y*  he  is  kynde  of  man,  it  is  good  cheson.] 

[5] 

"  We  will  worke  whether  that  we  speede, 

for  vnto  vs  he  is  vnknowne  ; 
And  although  he  be  come  of  a  strange  seede, 
'  yet  in  Adam's  ground  was  he  sowne. 
When  he  is  rype,  doe  we  our  deede  ; 

and  looke  we  doe  him  reape  and  mowe, 
Though  he  him  selfe  our  roule  in  reede, 

by  right  we  chaleng  him  for  our  owne." 

[6] 

The  maister  devill  said  :   "  it  lyes  in  mee  ; 

to  Jesu  will  I  take  good  heede, 
To  norish  him  in  fantasies, 

his  fraile  flesh  to  cloath  and  feede. 
And  though  he  be  never  soe  wyse, 

yet  out  of  th'  way  I  shall  him  leade  ; 
To  make  of  him  both  foolish  and  wyse, 

and  into  hell  his  soule  to  breade." 


_ 

Thus  the  devilles  their  wyles  did  cast, 
with  argumentes  many  and  great  ; 

And  thirtie  years  they  founded  fast 
to  tempt  Jesu  in  many  a  heate. 


f  5]  7  our  .   .  .  reede  :  our  rolles  rede  (^.),  oure  rollis  rede  (F.). 
[6]  7  foolish  and  wyse  :  fool  and  nice  (W.y  F.). 

386 


WHEN  MARY  WAS  GREAT  WITH  GABRIEL 

Into  a  wilderness  with  Jesu  I  past, 

of  him  knoledg  for  to  gett, 
And  fortie  dais  there  did  he  fast, 

without  either  sleepe,  drinke,  or  meate. 

[8] 

The  maister  devill  wonder  thought 

of  Jesus'  worthie  complection  : 
By  man's  foode  liued  he  nought, 

but  by  prayer  and  devotion. 
But  when  he  hungered,  as  I  thought, 

to  tempt  him  then  I  made  boune  : 
"  Loo,  heere  be  stones  that  be  hard  wrought, 

make  thereof  bread  to  man's  feson." 


"  Forsooth,"  Jesu  said,  "  not  onelie  by  bread 

is  everie  man's  proper  liuinge, 
But  everie  word  of  the  godhead 

to  bodie  and  soule  is  comfortinge." 
Vpon  a  high  pinacle  I  him  brough[t]  anon 

and  left  him  there,  and  downe  I  sprunge, 
And  said  :   "  saue  thee  harmeles,  both  limme  andfbone, 

and  doe  noe  masteries,  whilst  thou  art  younge. 

[10] 

""  If  thou  be  godes  sonne,  let  vs  see  ; 

for  of  thee  it's  writen  long  agone 
That  Angelles  in  handes  shall  hould  thee, 

least  thou  spume  thy  foote  against  a  stone." 
Jesus  said  :   "  in  holie  writ  thou  maist  see, 

'  tempt  not  thy  lord  god  liuing  alone  ; 
With  all  thy  might,  in  everie  degree, 

thou  shalt  him  serue  and  other  non[e].'  3 


[8 
\), 


8]  6  boune  :  i.e.  ready,  prepared  ;  8  feson  :  foysowne  (^.),  foisoun 
from  French  foison  =  plenty.     A.  has  seson. 

387 


WHEN  MARY  WAS  GREAT  WITH  GABRIEL 


The  devill  saw  it  might  not  gaine, 

but  of  Jesus  his  purpose  he  did  mysse. 
He  brought  him  to  a  high  mountaine, 

and  bade  him  doe  as  he  would  wish. 
There  he  shewed  him  certaine 

Jewells,  riches,  and  worldlie  blisse, 
And  said  :   "  worship  me  heere  and  become  my  swayne, 

and  I  will  giue  thee  all  this." 


[12] 

"  Avant,  Satanus  ;  from  blisse  thou  hye, 

from  heaven  rich,  that  royall  tower  ; 
In  Exodus  it  is  written  certainly  : 

6  the  lord  thy  god  thou  shalt  honour.' ' 
"  Alas,"  quoth  the  devill,  "  art  thou  soe  wittie  ? 

thy  wordes  be  bitter,  thy  workes  be  sower, 
Thy  conclution  kniteth  me  soe  ferventlye, 

that  I  neare  aboade  soe  sharpe  a  shower." 


[13] 

The  devilles  gathered  a  great  nome, 

and  held  their  parlament  'nith  myst  : 
One  would  reaue  vs  at  home, 

and  gather  the  flower  out  of  our  twist. 
New  Jeolors  would  wait  vs  shame  ; 

one  (they  called  him  John  Baptist] 
Now  he  hath  turned  Jesus9  name, — 

it  first  was  Jesus,  now  is  Christ. 

[i  i]  7  And  said  :  Omit  (W.  and  F.). 
[12]  3  Exodus  xxi.,  3  ;  8  neare  :  i.e.  ne'er. 

[13]    i   nome:  i.e.  number.     A.,  W.t  and  F.  read  frame;  2  'nitli 
myst  =  'neath  mist ;  in  the  mist  (A.y  F., 

388 


WHEN  MARY  WAS  GREAT  WITH  GABRIEL 


Laugh  nor  sport  I  him  never  saw, 

but  in  stablenesse  he  is  alway, 
And  straitlie  keepeth  godes  holie  law, 

and  stronglie  withstandeth  myne  affray. 
To  workes  of  vice  he  will  not  draw, 

a  wonderous  worde  I  heard  him  say,  — 
That  the  great  Temple  he  would  downe  draw 

and  raise  it  agayne  on  the  third  day. 


[IS] 

When  he  was  borne,  wonders  fell : 

over  all  was  peace,  both  East  and  west  ; 
In  Rome  of  Oyle  there  sprang  a  well, 

from  Trestmore  t'  Tybur  it  ranne  prest  ; 
In  Rome  the  Temple  it  downe  fell, 

and  their  Mahometes  did  all  to  burst, 
Angelles  to  shepardes  glorie  can  tell 

and  to  all  mankind  both  peace  and  rest. 


[16] 

The  Emperour  in  Roome  stood  hee, 

three  sunns  in  one  he  saw  shineinge  cleare  ; 

In  the  mids  of  them  a  maid  he  see 

that  a  man  child  in  her  armes  did  beare. 

The  Emperour  and  Cibell  spake  Profhesie, 
and  the[y]  accorded  both,  in  feare, 

[i  5]  4  Trestmore  :  Trystyvere  (^.),  trystmer  (W.\  tristiuer  (F.). 
"  Is  this  Trastevere  ? " — F. ;  6  Mahometes :  Mawmettes  =  idols  (A.,  W., 
F.)  ;  7  can  :  read  gan. 

[16]  5  Cibell :  i.e.  Sibylla  Cumana  (cf.  Vergil,  Eclogues,  IV.,  4  ff.). 
"  Certayne  Verses  of  one  Cibila,  a  Prophetis  among  the  heathen.  .  .  . 
By  me,  Henry  Sutton  for  the  buke  of  Mr.  Rich.  Bradgere"  are 
preserved,  with  a  musical  score,  in  Addit.  MS.  4900,  fol.  8. 

389 


WHEN  MARY  WAS  GREAT  WITH  GABRIEL 

And  said,  "  godes  sonne  mankind  should  buy, — 
it  is  a  token  the  time  drawes  neare." 


[17] 

Also  three  kings  came  from  a  farre, 

to  worshippe  Jesus  all  they  sought, 
Which  raised  Herodes  hart  soe  there 

him  for  to  slay,  for  soe  he  wrought. 
By  the  lighteninge  of  a  starre 

all  three  to  Jesu  presentes  brought ; 
Homwardes  an  Angell  taught  them  f aire 

an  other  way  then  they  had  thought. 


[18] 

There  I  counsailled  Herod  within  a  while 

to  distroy  the  former  Prophesie, 
To  slay  all  men  children  in  Towne  and  pyle, 

that  Jesu  might  amonge  them  dye. 
He  fled  into  Egipt  in  that  while  : 

their  mahometes  fell  downe  from  on  hye  ; 
He  knew  my  thought,  he  saw  my  guile, 

I  could  not  hyde  it  from  his  eye. 


[19] 

To  tempt  Jesu  it  will  not  availe  : 

of  the  worldes  good,  he  hath  noe  neede  ; 
I  loose  in  him  soe  much  travaile, 

the  more  I  soe  worke,  the  worse  I  speede. 
With  the  sharper  assaults  I  him  assaile, 

the  les  of  me  he  standes  in  dread  ; 
The  boulder  in  bicker  I  bid  him  battaill, 

the  lesse  of  me  he  taketh  heede. 

39° 


WHEN  MARY  WAS  GREAT  WITH  GABRIEL 

[20] 

If  I  tempt  him  with  welth  or  pryde, 
he  voydeth  me  of[f]  with  chastitie  ; 

In  gluttonie  and  Envie  he'ill  not  abyde, 
but  is  euer  in  largnesse  and  pouertie. 

In  covetousnes  and  avarice  he  will  not  ryde, 
but  alwais  is  full  liberall. 


[21] 

The  devill  said,  "  nether  in  heate  nor  could, 

I  may  not  make  him  stumble  or  faale. 
I  wist  him  never  goe  to  scoole, 

yet  I  see  him  dispute  in  the  scoole  haule  : 
He  set  him  selfe  on  the  highest  stoole 

and  a[r]gued  against  the  maisters  all. 
Some  cal'd  him  wyse,  some  caPd  him  foole, 

but  godes  sonne  he  did  him  selfe  cale. 

f;'       .  [22] 

"  His  workes  passeth  all  man-kind, 
for  crooked  cripples  he  makes  right, 

The  deafe  and  dumbe  and  the  borne  blind, 
he  giueth  them  speach,  hearinge,  and  sight. 

Mad  men  he  giueth  them  their  mynd, 
he  maketh  measells  whole  and  light  ; 

[20]  I  The  copyist  got  confused  In  stanza  20,  changing  his  original 
considerably  and  omitting  two  lines.     In  W.  the  stanza  runs  : — 

• 

For  yf  I  tempte  hym  with  wrathe  or  pryde 

With  pacyence  and  mekenes  he  scomfyteth  me 
If  I  tempte  hym  wl  lechery  1  must  me  hyde 

He  voydeth  me  of  with  chastyte 
In  ^lotony  and  enuy  he  wyll  not  abyde 

But  is  euer  in  mesure  and  charyte 
In  couetyse  and  auaryce  he  wyll  not  ryde 

But  is  euer  in  largesse  and  pouerte. 

[21]  2  faale  :  read  fall. 

391 


WHEN  MARY  WAS  GREAT  WITH  GABRIEL 

A  legion  of  feindes  in  a  man  he  did  finde, 
all  he  droue  out  throughe  his  great  might. 

[23] 

"  Wyne  of  water  he  maketh  blyth, 

and  doth  many  a  wonderous  deede  ; 
With  two  fishes  and  loaues  fiue, 

fiue  thousand  men  I  see  him  feede. 
Twelue  Basketes  of  releife  thereof  did  thriue 

to  men  and  children  that  had  neede  ; 
Dead  men  he  raised  againe  on  Hue, 

and  yet  he  neare  weare  but  one  weede. 


"  He  handleth  neither  money  nor  knife, 

nor  in  sinne  he  desyres  noe  woman  to  kisse, 
But  once  he  saued  a  wedded  wife 

that  in  spousage  had  donne  amisse. 
He  is  soe  wonderfull  in  life, 

I  cannot  know  well  what  he  is  ; 
I  would  that  we  had  ended  our  strife, 

and  he  out  of  our  bookes  and  we  out  of  his. 


"  Sith  I  him  first  to  tempt  beganne, 

I  saw  him  never  change  his  hewe. 
Once  he  bade  mee  '  goe,  foule  sathanne^ 

ever  that  reproofe  I  rewe. 
In  workes  he  is  god  ;  in  personne,  man  : 

the  like  to  him  I  never  knew  ; 
Where  learned  he  all  wit  ne  know  I  canne, 

euerie  day  he  doth  wonders  new. 

[23]  3  wl  to  loues  And  fyssches  fyue 
]  4 


[24]  4  spousage  :  spousayle  (^.),  spousebriche  (F.). 

392 


WHEN  MARY  WAS  GREAT  WITH  GABRIEL 

[26] 

"  I  followed  him  once  vnto  a  place, 

vnto  a  mountaine  vpon  height, 
Peter ,  John,  and  James  there  was, 

Elie  and  Moyses  stoode  there  vp  right. 
I  would  haue  seene  Jesus'  face, 

but  I  could  not,  it  shone  soe  bright : 
The  southwest  sunne  did  him  embrace, 

the  bright  beanies  blinded  my  sight. 


[27] 

"  To  let  the  Prophesie  soone  I  went ; 

the  Jewes  to  slay  Jesus,  I  gaue  them  choyse  ; 
If  he  did  dye  on  th'  roode  we  shale  be  shent, — 

I  would  I  had  not  giuen  them  that  voyce. 
I  was  wooe  for  that  Judgment, 

of  *  crucifie  '  to  heare  the  voyce  : 
Pylates  wife  I  bade  buselie  giue  tent 

that  Jesus  were  not  done  vpon  the  crosse. 


[28] 

"  Yet  the  Jewes,  for  his  deedes  good, 

false  witnesse  against  him  conspyred  ; 
And  nailed  him  vpon  the  rood, 

and  slew  him  which  was  vndefyled. 
Vnder  his  left  syde  my  selfe  I  stoode, 

and  after  his  soule  full  fast  I  spyed  ; 
But  I  wist  never  whither  it  yeewd, 

when  he  gaue  it  vp,  soe  manlie  he  cryed. 

[26]   4   Elie:    i.e.   Elias.      Moyses  =  Moses ;    7   southwest:    stedfast 

.\  so[o]thfast  (W.,  F.). 

[27]  7  wife  :  cf.  Matthew  xxvii.,  19. 

[28]  7  yeewd  :  yode  (A.,  W.,  F.). 

393 


WHEN  MARY  WAS  GREAT  WITH  GABRIEL 

09] 

"  The  sunne  and  moone,  they  lost  their  light  ; 

the  Element es  fought  as  leight  and  thunder  ; 
The  earth  quak'd  and  mountaines  on  height  ; 

wal[l]es  and  stones  did  burst  a-sunder. 
Dead" men  arose,  through  his  great  might, 

to  beare  witnesse  of  that  wonder. 
My  strength  failed,  and  I  lost  my  sight ; 

I  wist  not  how  soone  I  came  there  vnder. 


[30] 

"  Jesus9  soule  is  gone  (I  wot  not  whither), 

soe  priuelie  it  did  from  mee  passe  ; 
When  his  heart  was  pearsed  with  a  speare, 

full  well  then  wist  I  whoe  he  was. 
Ordeyne  we  vs  with  all  our  geere, 

for  hither  hee  thinkes  to  make  a  race  ; 
Aryse  we  all  that  ly  bounden  heere, 

and  stifflie  defend  wee  our  place. 


[31] 

"  For  if  that  he  would  hither  come, 

wee  shall  aryse,  euerie  each  one, 
And  goe  against  him,  all  and  some, 

and  teare  of[f]  him,  bone  from  bone.3 
Then  said  Lucifer  a-non-: 

"  it  is  but  wast[e]  for  to  speake  soe, 
The  soule  of  him  is  now  hither  come 

to  vs,  for  to  worke  all  wooe." 


[32] 

There  as  the  good  soules  did  then  in  dwell 
they  chained  the  gates  and  bar'd  them  fast, 

394 


I 


WHEN  MARY  WAS  GREAT  WITH  GABRIEL 

"Jesus  said  :   "  yea  Princes  fell, 

open  the  gates  that  eare  shall  last, 
And  let  in  your  king  of  heauen  and  hell !  " 

The  devilles  asked  him  in  hast[e]  : 
"  Whoe  is  the  king  that  that  doest  of  tell  ? 

weenest  thou  for  to  make  vs  agast  ?  " 

I  [33]   . 

"  Stronge  god  and  king  of  might 

I  am  ;  lord  of  lordes,  and  king  of  blisse, 
Vsurper  of  death  ['s]  mightie  f eight, — 

everlasting  [gates],  open  without  misse  ! 
Both  peace,  mercie,  grace,  and  rest, 

I  brought  them  at  once  and  made  them  kisse. 
Everlasting  gates,  open  on  high, 

and  let  in  your  king  to  take  out  his. 

[34] 

"  I,  the  soule  of  Jesus  Christ,  am  comon  hither 

(witnes  my  bodie  in  earth  lyes  dead), 
The  holie  ghost  with  the  soule  together 

that  never  shall  part  from  the  godhead. 
In  heauen's  blisse  thou  stoode  full  shider, 

through  pryde  thou  offended  my  father's  beed  ; 
Man's  soule  for  meekenes  shall  come  thither, 

there  as  the  feinds  forfeted  that  stid." 

f  [35] 

Then  said  Lucifer  :  "  god  did  forbid 

to  Adam  in  Paradice  but  one  tree 
On  paine  of  death,  to  haue  for  that  deede 

and  ever  after  hell  to  bee. 

[32]  3  yea  :  read  ye  ;  4  eare  =  e[v]er  ;   7  that  that  ;  read  that  thou. 
33]  4  ga^s  :  so  fv.  and  F. 

[34]  5  shider  :  slyddyr,  slyder,  slider  (A.,  W.y  F.).     F.  explains  the 
word  as  equivalent  to  lubricas. 

395 


WHEN  TMARY  WAS  GREAT  WITH  GABRIEL 

And  thou  art  come  of  Adam's  seede, 

therefore  by  right  we  chaleng  thee  ; 
For  in  holie  writ  thou  maist  see 

that  in  hell  there  is  noe  remedie." 


[36] 

Jesus  said  :   "  Lucifer,  truth  thou  tellest  mee, 

but  thy  selfe  thou  wots  not  how  ; 
There  is  a  bond  hell,  but  this  is  free, 

the  bond  hell  is  ordein'd  for  you. 
For  that  which  Adam  forfeted  through  a  tree, 

through  a  tree  againe  is  bought  now  ; 
Thou  mad'st  him  to  sinne,  the  paine  'longeth  to  thee, 

for  thou  was  never  good  vnto  man's  prow. 

[37] 

"  Lucifer,  thou  me  vndernome, 

and  said  I  was  of  the  seed  of  man  ; 
For  sooth  I  did  out  of  the  godhead  come 

and  tooke  flesh  and  blood  of  a  maid  within  : 
As  of  the  earth  there  springeth  a  bloome, 

soe  met  we  and  parted  without  sinne  ; 
Thine  argument  is  false,  soe  is  thy  doome, 

by  what  right  wouldest  thou  me  winne  ? 

[38] 

"  Whoe  was  the  cheifest  of  thy  councell, 

in  heauen  when  thou  forfeted  thy  blisse  ? 
In  Paradice  thou  didst  Adam  assaile, 

and  tempted  him  to  forfeit  his. 
And  I  in  his  quarrell  tooke  battell 

vnto  my  father,  to  mend  his  misse  ; 
Therefore  of  thy  purpose  thou  shalt  faile, 

for  thy  quarrell  nought  it  is." 

[36]  8  prow  =  advantage.  [38]  7  Therefore  :  MS.  threrefore. 

396 


WHEN  MARY  WAS  GREAT  WITH  GABRIEL 

[393  _ 

Then  Lucifer  answered  againe  : 

"  why  speakest  thou  soe  to  me  heare  ? 
It  was  but  wanton  wordes  in  vaine, 

I  tro  thou  comest  hither  vs  to  feare. 
Somtime  when  I  was  in  heauen  hye, 

that  I  lost  for  my  pryd  certaine  ; 
Heereafter  I  hope  full  sicarlie 

for  to  come  to  that  blis  agayne." 

[40]     :  - 

Christ  Jesus  s[p]ake  vnto  him  againe, 

and  said  to  him  on  this  manner  : 
"  It  is  but  wast[e]  for  thee  to  speake  soe, 

or  any  such  wordes  to  vtter  heere. 
That  time  while  thou  in  heauen  were, 

full  much  ioy  hadest  thou  thoe  ; 
For  all  thy  fellowes  were  glad  there, 

but  right  soone  it  was  overgoe." 

-  [41] 

Lucifer  spake  vnto  him  againe, 

and  said  to  him  with  wordes  in  feare  : 
"  Heere  haue  I  dwelled,  in  woe  and  paine, 

more  then  four  thousand  yeare. 
Helpe  me  to  that  blisse  againe, 

which  for  my  pryde  I  did  loase  there  ; 
For  there  is  blisse  and  pleasure  certaine 

to  dwell  with  angells  shininge  clear e." 

[42] 

"  Heare  me,  Lucifer,  I  shall  thee  tell, 
or  ever  any  thinge  was  wrought 

=  make  afraid  ;  7  sicarlie  =  certainly, 
feare  :  sere  (^.,  F.)  ;  6  loase  :  read  lose, 
ere. 

397 


[39]  4  fe^e 
[41]  2  in  fe 
[42]  2  or  = 


WHEN  MARY  WAS  GREAT  WITH  GABRIEL 

(Either  in  heaven,  earth,  or  hell), 
forsooth  I  did  make  thee  of  nought. 

In  heaven  when  thou  stoodest  well, 
I  .made  thee  aboue  Angells  all ; 

But  thereof  cared  thou  never  a  deall, 
till  thou  was  come  to  miserable  fale. 


[43] 

"  In  heaven  when  thou  was  at  thy  will, 

thou  might  haue  beene  in  peace  and  rest 
I  tooke  thee  in  my  seat  full  still, 

it  to  serue  thou  was  full  prest. 
And  whylle  I  went  where  soere  I  list 

and  came  againe  anon  on  hye, 
Thou  said  that  thou  were  the  worthiest 

to  sit  there  as  well  as  I. 


[44] 

"  And  thou  repentest  thee  never  the  more, 

but  ever  agredest  thy  trespasse  : 
Adam  wept  and  sighed  sore, 

and  asked  mercie  and  oyle  of  grace. 
My  father  sent  mee  hither,  therefore, 

and  on  a  tree  let  death  me  chace  ; 
A  speare  through  my  hart  can  boare, 

let  out  the  worthiest  oyle  that  euer  was. 

[45] 

"  In  my  father  his  name  in  heauen, 
open  the  gates  now  against  mee." 

As  leyt  of  earth  and  thunder  even, 
the  gates  open  can  burst  and  flye. 


r 

144 
145 


8  Suche  pryde  in  thyn  herte  gan  fall  (W.,  F.). 

2  agredest  =  encreaseth  (^.) ;  7  can  :  read  gan. 

3  As  lyght  of  ayre  and  thonder  leuen  (A.}  ;  4  can 

398 


WHEN  MARY  WAS  GREAT  WITH  GABRIEL 

God  tooke  out  Adam  and  Eaue  full  even, 

and  all  his  chosen  companye  ; 
The  Prophet es  said  with  myld  Steven, 

"  a  songe  of  wonder  now  singe  wee." 

[46] 

"  A,"  quoth  Adam,  "  my  god  I  see, — 

he  that  made  me  with  his  hande." 
"  I  see,"  quoth  Noy,  "  where  commeth  hee 

that  saued  me,  both  on  water  and  land." 
Quoth  Abraham,  "  my  god  I  see 

that  sau'd  my  sonne  from  bitter  brande." 
Moyses  said,  "  the  tables  he  betooke  me, 

his  lawes  to  preach  and  vnderstand." 


[47] 

Quoth  David,  "  we  spake  of  one  soe  stout 

that  should  breake  the  brason  gates." 
Quoth  Zacharie,  "  and  his  flocke  take  out, 

and  leaue  there  still  such  as  he  hates." 
Quoth  Simon,  "  he  lighteneth  his  flocke  in  dime, 

whereas  darkenesse  shadoweth  their  state." 
Tho  said  John,  "  this  lambe,  I  spoke  of  him, 

that  all  the  worldes  sinne  abates." 


[48] 

Our  lord  tooke  them  by  the  hand, 

and  brought  them  to  the  place  of  blis, 

And  said  to  them  (I  vnderstand)  : 

"  this  bargaine  haue  I  bought  for  this  : 

For  rich  and  poore,  both  free  and  bond, 
that  will  aske  grace  and  mend  their  misse, 


[46]    3    Noy  :    i.e.   Noah  ;    6    brande  :    bonde    {W.\    bande    (F.)  ; 
7  Moyses  :  i.e.  Moses. 
[47]  5  dime  :  read  dim. 

399 


WHEN  MARY  WAS  GREAT  WITH  GABRIEL 

Shall  be  with  you  heere  for  aye  iocand 
in  my  kingdome,  heaven's  blis." 

[49] 

Thus  lesu  Christ  he  harrowed  hell, 

and  led  his  servantes  t'  Paradice  ; 
With  the  other  hells  would  he  not  meddell, 

where  feindes  blacke  bounden  lyes, 
And  where  dampned  soules  ever  shall  dwell, — 

that  will  not  mend,  but  doe  a-misse, — 
Tormented  sore  with  divells  fell, 

that  some  times  were  angells  of  price. 

[50]  • 

Hell  reproued  the  Devill  Satbanne, 

and  a  rablelie  can  him  dispise  : 
"  To  me  thou  art  a  shrewd  captaine, 

a  combred  wretch  in  cowardice." 
Tho  said  Lucifer  :   "  since  the  world  beganne 

I  haue  brought  hither  manie  a  prize  ; 
Yea,  I  haue  brought  of  all  kinde  of  men, — 

both  true,  false,  foolish,  and  wise. 

[51]  : 

"  Soe  worshiped  never  thou  were, 

if  thou  couldst  haue  kept  thee  soe  ; 
I  brought  thee  both  god  and  mann  in  feare, — 

why  was  thou  soe  foolish  as  let  them  goe  ?  " 
Quoth  hell :   "  not  with  thy  power 

I  might  not  warne  him  one  of  tho  ; 
He  tooke  out  all  that  weare  to  hime  deare, 

I  could  not  let  though  he  would  had  moe." 


[48]  7  iocand  :  i.e.  jocund. 
49]  6  doe  a-misse  :  euer   be  nyse  (W.,  F.)  ;  7  Tourmented  with 
horryble  deuyelles  [fell]  (W.\  [of  hell]  (F.). 
[50]  2  rablelie  :  horrybly  (W.,  F.). 

400 


WHEN  MARY  WAS  GREAT  WITH  GABRIEL 


[52] 
Quoth  Belsabub,  "  I  bar'd  full  fast 

with  locke,  chaine,  boult,  and  pinne  ; 
With  one  word  of  his  mouthes  blast, 

the  gates  brake  vp,  and  he  came  in. 
He  bound  me  fast,  and  downe  me  cast, — 

it  is  noe  boote  to  striue  with  him, — 
When  the  dreadfull  day  is  come  and  past, 

our  endlesse  paine  is  now  t'  beginne." 

[53] 

Though  the  Jewes  made  Jesu  to  dye, 

on  the  third  day  he  rose  againe  ; 
It  was  to  him  more  victorie 

then  all  the  Jewes  if  he  had  slaine. 
Some  were  glad  when  they  him  see, 

some  were  sorie,  and  some  were  faine  ; 
And  sometime,  in  one  companie, 

amonge  flue  hundred  he  was  seene. 

[54] 

Of  oyntmentes  full  manie  a  drope 

Marie  magdalen  to  Jesu  brought  ; 
lesu  from  her  a  little  of[f]  loape, 

and  said,  "  marie,  touch  me  not  !  " 
All  his  disciples  were  in  one  hope, 

for  to  comfort  them  Jesu  thought ; 
And  bade  them  his  wounds  handle  and  groape, — 

"  I  haue  flesh  and  blood,  soe  spirittes  haue  nought." 


[ss] 

Thomas  was  of  right  hard  beleefe 
till  he  had  spoken  with  Jesu  tho  ; 

[52]  2  with  :  The  gate  with  (W.,  F.). 
[54]  5  one  hope  :  wanhope  (/F.,  F.). 

2C  401 


WHEN  MARY  WAS  GREAT  WITH  GABRIEL 

Jesu  spake  with  wordes  soe  breefe, 

"  come  hither,  Thomas,  and  speake  me  too. 

For  heere  thou  may  the  sooth  soone  prooue, 
how  I  was  on  the  roode  doo  ; 

And  he  that  will  not  it  beleeue 
shall  vnto  paine  for  ever  goe." 

[56] 

Then  said  Jesu,  with  a  mild  speach, 

to  his  disciples :   "I  will  that  yea  goe, 
To  all  creatures  about,  to  preach 

my  vpriseinge  to  frend  and  foe  ; 
And  he  that  beleeueth  that  which  yea  preach, 

bodie  and  soule  saued  shall  be  ; 
And  they  that  beleeue  not,  I  say  to  each, 

they  shall  for  eare  tormented  be. 

[57] 

"  From  you  feindes  shall  flee,  for  my  name  ; 

adders  and  vermine  shall  from  you  stay ; 
Thoughe  you  drinke  poyson,  it  shall  not  tame, 

nor  yet  you  greeue  in  anye  way. 
I  shall  new  tonges  within  you  frame, 

all  manner  of  languages  foarthe  to  deale  ; 
And  they  that  yea  touch,  sicke  or  lame, 

bodie  and  soule  I  shall  them  heale." 

[58] 

Our  lord,  after  his  resurrection  here, 

on  earth  was  for  sooth  dwellinge, 
Till  holie  tbursday  it  come  were 

that  he  stept  to  heauen  where  he  is  kinge. 
At  the  dreadfull  day  without  leasinge, 

both  quick  and  dead  he  shall  them  deeme  ; 
God  giue  vs  grace  in  our  beginninge 

to  serue  our  god  and  marie  our  queene. 
[56]  2,  5  yea  :  read  ye. 
4<D2 


WHEN  MARY  WAS  GREAT  WITH  GABRIEL 

[59] 

Of  all  the  Children  that  euer  were  Borne, 

saue  onelie  Christ  him  selfe  a-loane, 
Was  non[e]  soe  holie  here  be  forme 

as  was  the  holie  child,  saint  John, 
That  baptiz'd  our  lord  in  flem  Jordanne, 

with  full  devout  and  good  devotion, 
And  for  Jesus'  loue  to  death  was  donne, 

and  for  his  loue  suffred  his  passionne. 


[60] 

Now  shall  I  tell,  with  full  good  cheere, 

of  that  holie  ascention  ; 
And  of  his  blessed  mother  deere, 

how  she  was  taken  vp,  with  great  devotion, 
Vnto  her  blessed  sonne,  as  his  will  were, 

that  thereto  sent  his  Angells  downe  ; 
And  vp  they  bare  that  maiden  cleare, 

and  Queene  of  heauen  they  did  her  crowne. 


[61] 

Then  all  Angelles  that  were  in  heauen 

were  at  the  crowning  of  that  maiden  free, 
And  sung  all,  with  mild  Steven, 

Omnis  gloria  tibi,  domine. 
That  is  a  songe  of  ioy  and  blisse ; 

god  giue  vs  grace  that  light  to  see, 
Of  his  mercie  that  we  may  not  misse, 

qui  natus  est  de  virgine. 


[59]  3  be  forme  :  beforne,  biforn  (W.,  F.)  ;  8  And  suffred  full  grete 
passyon  (W.  ;  similarly  F.). 

ascention  :  assumpycon  (/F.,  F.). 

Omnis  not  in  W.  and  F.  ;  8  est  :  es  (W.,  F.). 

4°3 


!6o]  2 
6i]4 


WHEN  MARY  WAS  GREAT  WITH  GABRIEL 

[62] 

This  tale  that  I  haue  tould  you  heare 

is  caPd  the  vivell  parliament ; 
Therefore  is  red  in  time  of  yeare 

on  the  third  Sunday  in  cleane  lent. 
Whosoeuer  will  that  heuen  procure, 

keepe  him  from  divelles  comberant ; 
In  heven  his  soule  may  then  be  sure 

with  Angelles  t'  singe  in  light  splendent. 

[63] 

This  lesson  new  was  made  of  late, 

there  be  no  tryfles  in't  at  all ; 
The  divelles  boast  thus  can  he  abate, 

our  curteous  Christ  soe  ryall. 
Help  vs  all  in  at  heauen  gates, 

with  s[ain]ts  to  sit  there,  out  of  thrall ; 
Christ  keepe  vs  out  of  harme  and  bate, 

for  thy  holie  spirit  soe  speciall. 

Jftnte* 

[62]  2  vivell  :  rafc/divell's  ;  6  comberant  :  combrement,  combirment 
(W.y  F.). 

[63]  5-8  These  lines  are  j?mmed  together  as  two  lines  in  the  MS.  ; 
7  bate  :  hate  (IV.,  F.). 


404 


Appendix  II 
\A  Singular  Salve  for  a  Sick  Soul 

Addit.  MS.  1 5,225.     The  title  is  on  fol.  44V,  the  text  on  fols.  45-45 v. 

Valentine  Sims  registered  for  publication  a  broadside  called  "  a  table 
lof  good  Counsell "  on  December  n,  1598,  and  on  May  7,  1599, 
transferred  his  rights  in  it  to  John  Brown.  In  the  assignment  the  full 
|  title  is  given  as  "  The  table  of  good  Counsell  with  a  singular  salue  for 
the  syck  soule "  (Arber's  Transcript,  III.,  133,  144);  from  which  it 
seems  certain  that  "  A  Table  of  Good  Counsel "  in  verse  and  "  A 
Singular  Salve  "  in  prose  were  printed  on  the  broadside,  and  that  a  copy 
of  the  broadside  was  followed  by  the  compiler  of  the  MS.  In  that  case 
"The  Table  of  Good  Counsel"  was  probably  the  ballad  (No.  39)  that 
on  fols.  43V~44V  of  the  MS.  directly  precedes  the  "  Singular  Salve." 
The  title  fits  that  ballad  admirably.  Ballads  were  not  infrequently 
called  "tables"  :  an  example  is  "A  Table  of  Good  Nurture"  reprinted 
in  the  Roxburghe  Ballads,  II.,  570. 

The  "  Salve "  is  a  curious,  highly  figurative  work  with  enough 
intrinsic  interest  to  justify  its  reproduction  here.  Much  longer  but  of 
similar  nature  are  The  Sick  Man's  Salve  by  Thomas  Beacon  (i  580,  1585, 
1631,  etc.),  and  A  Soveraigne  Salue  to  cure  a  slcke  Soule,  infected  with  the 
poyson  of  slnne  (1624)  "by  I.  A.  Minister  and  Preacher  of  Gods  Word." 

a  singuler  0alue  for  a  sicfee  soule* 

Take  a  quart  of  the  repentance  of  Niniuie,  and  put 
thereto  both  thy  handes  full  of  fervent  faith  in  Christes 
.blood,  with  as  much  hope  and  Charitie  of  the  purest 
you  can  get  in  Christes  shop  (a  like  quantitie  of  each), 
and  put  it  into  a  vessell  of  a  cleane  conscience,  and  let 
it  boyle  well  together  in  the  fier  of  loue  soe  longe  till 
thou  seest,  by  the  eye  of  faith,  the  blacke  foame  of  this 
worldes  loue  stinke  in  thy  stomake  :  then  scumme  it 
of[f]  cleane  with  the  spoone  of  faithfull  prayers ;  that 
donne,  put  in  the  powder  of  patience,  and  bake  the 
imaculate  cloath  of  Christes  pure  Inocentie,  and  throwe  x 

1  i.e.  through. 

405 


A  SINGULAR  SALVE  FOR  A  SICK  SOUL 

it  straine  altogether  in  to  Chris tes  cup  ;    then  drinke 
it  burninge  hoat,1  betimes,  next  thy  hart. 

This  done,  lay  thee  downe  vpon  the  bed  of  Christ  es! 
pure  inocencie,  and  caver  2  thee  warme  with  as  manie; 
cloathes  of  amendement  of  life  as  god  shall  strengthen 
thee  to  beare,  where-by  thou  maist  sweat  out  all  the  vile 
poyson  of  Couetousnesse  and  Idollatrie,  with  all  kynde 
of  pride,  whoredome,  oppression,  extortion,  vsurie  and 
prodigallitie,  swearinge,  lieinge,  slanderinge,  envyinge, 
wrath,  sedition,  sectes,  theft,  murther,  drunkennesse, 
gluttonie,  sloath,  and  such  like  sinnes.  All  which 
sweate  cleane  out  of  thy  hart,  thy  head,  thy  boanes,  and 
thy  bodie,  with  all  the  other  partes  and  powers  of  thee, 
and  ever  wash  thy  hart  and  eies  well  with  the  pure  water 
of  humilietie  mixt  with  the  feare  of  god. 

And  when  thou  feelst  thy  selfe  altered  from  all  these 
forenamed  vices,  then  take  the  powder  of  say-well  and 
lay  it  vpon  the  top  of  thy  tonge  to  sauour  thy  mouth, 
wit[h]all,  and  the  eares  of  the  hearer.  But  drinke 
thrise  as  much  doe-well  daylie,  mixt  with  the  same 
mercie  that  god  hath  willed  vs  to  vse,  and  annoynt 
therewith  thine  eies,  thine  eares,  thy  lippes,  thy  hart, 
and  thy  handes  throughlie,3  that  they  may  bee  light, 
nimble,  and  quicke  to  minister  to  the  poore  and  dispersed 
members  of  Jesus  Christ,  ever  as  you  are  able  and  see 
occation. 

But  beware  thou  takest  not  wynd  in  ministeringe 
thereof,  least 4  the  deadlie  dust  of  vaine-glorie  doe  thee 
much  harme.  Also,  to  keepe  a  dyet  for  thy  head,  vse 
the  hot  broath  of  righteousnes  continually,  and  feede 
thee  well  with  the  spoone  of  godlie  meditacons ;  then 
annoynt  thy  selfe  well  with  the  Oyle  of  godes  peace: 
this  beinge  done,  aryse  from  sinne  willinglie,  &  thou 
shalt  Hue  euerlastinglie. 

1  i.e.  hot.  2  Read  cover. 

3  i.e.  thoroughly.  4  i.e.  lest. 


406 


Index  of 
First  Lines,  Titles,  and  Tunes 

Tunes  are  printed  in  italics.     Titles  are  distinguished  from  First  Lines 
by  enclosure  in  double  quotation  marks 

PAGE 

A  happy  wind  those  locusts  hence  doth  blow  .              .  .184. 

A  jolly  shepherd  that  sat  on  Zion  hill              .              .  .          IQI 

A  word  once  said,  Adam  was  made                  .              .  .203 

"  Against  Nigardy  and  Riches "          .              .              .  .108 

Aim  not  too  high        ......          368 

Alas,  for  shame,  how  dare  I  sue          .              .              .  .312 

Alas  how  long  shall  I  bewail               .              .              .  .270 

All  you  that  with  good  ale  do  hold    .              .              .  3  5  i 

Amount,  my  soul,  from  earth  a  while              .              .  .          152 

As  I  on  New  Year's  day        .              .              .              .  .315 

Assist  me  now,  you  doleful  dames      .              .              .  .325 

"An   Ave   Maria    in   Commendation   of  our   Most   Virtuous 

Queen"           .              .              .              .              .  .13 

Awake,  awake,  O  England     .              .             .              .  .233 

Behold  our  Saviour  crucified                .              .              .  .119 

"  The  Bellman's  Good-morrow "                      .              .  .233 

"Buckingham,  A  Song  of  the  Duke  of"         .              .  .          349 

Calvary  Mount  is  my  delight              .              .              .  .147 

Careless,  John            .              .              .              .             .  .47,55 

"  Careless,  John,  A  Godly  Ballad  made  by  "                 .  .            47 

"  A  Carol  for  Christmas  Day  "  .238 

Christmas  is  my  name           .              .              .              .  .372 

"  Christmas,  A  Song  Bewailing  the  Decay  of "              .  .          372 

Come  on,  good  fellow,  make  an  end                .              .  .          252 

'*  A  Comfort  unto  Him  that  is  Blind  "            .              .  .320 

Considering  oft  the  state  of  man        .  .               i 

"  Constable,  The  Song  of  a  "  3  79 

"  Covetousness,  A  General  discourse  on "        .              .  .          285 

-"  Cross,  A  Song  of  the  "  127 

Dainty,  come  thou  to  me           .             .                            .  71,  88,  198 

Dear  Christ,  my  poor  and  pensive  breast         .              .  .          296 

"Death  with  Hourglass  Threatened!  all  Estates"        .  .          257 

"  A  Declaration  of  the  Death  of  John  Lewes"             .  .            54 
"  Dialogue  between  Christ  and  the  Poor  Oppressed  Sinner"    .          270 

407 


OLD  ENGLISH  BALLADS 

p 

"  A  Dialogue  between  Death  and  Youth  "  .  .  252 

Diana  and  her  darlings  dear  .  .  .  .  1 64 

"  A  Dozen  of  Points "  .  .  .  .  .315 

"The  Epitaph  upon  the  Death  of  Queen  Mary"  .  .  23 

"  An  Exclamation  upon  the  Erronious  Sprite  of  Heresy  "  .  27 

Fain  would  I  have  a  pretty  thing  .  .  .  .  322 

"  The  Faithful  Desire  to  make  Exchange  of  Earth  for  Heaven  "  309 
Famous  Brittany,  give  thanks  .  .  .  .189 

"  Four  Priests,  A  Song  of"  ....  70 

From  sluggish  sleep  and  slumber  .  .  .  .233 

From  Virgin's  womb  this  day  .  .  .  .  238 

"  A  General  Discourse  on  Covetousness "  .  .  .  285 

"Glover,  Robert,  A  Ballad  Concerning  the  Death  of"  .  33 

"  God  doth  Bless  this  Realm "  .  .  .  .  180 

"  A  Godly  and  Good  Example  to  avoid  all  Inconveniences "  .  245 
"  A  Godly  Ballad  made  by  John  Careless "  .  .  .47 

"  Good  Counsel,  A  Table  of "  ....  229 

Good  subjects  of  England,  rejoice  .  .  .  .62 

"The  Grieved  Sinner  acknowledgeth  His  Sin"  .  .  296 

"  The  Guilty  Conscience,  acknowledging  Her  Sin,  Craveth 

Pardon "......          300 

"Gunpowder  Plot,"  368;  "  A  Song  of  the  — ,"  360;  "*A 

Song  or  Psalm  of  Thanksgiving  about  the  — "  .  .  363 

Hail  Queen  of  England,  of  most  worthy  fame  .  .  13 

Hobbinoble  and  John  a  Side  .  .  .  .  •  3  2  5 

"  How  every  Vice  Creeepeth  In "  .  .  .  272 

"  How  Happy  and  Assured  are  They  "...  306 
I,  a  constable,  have  took  mine  oath  .  .  .  379 

I  am  that  champion  great  of  power  ....  262 
"  I  love  him,  I  love  him "  .  .  .  .  .  206 

I  might  have  lived  merrily  .  .  „  .  .216 

If  England  will  take  heed  .  .  .  .180 

If  thou  wilt,  Lord,  extend  thy  grace  .  .  .  298 

In  Crete  when  Daedalus  first  began  .  .  329 

In  days  of  yore  when  words  did  pass  for  bands  .  .  134 

In  rage  of  storm  and  tempests  all  ....  306 
"  An  Invective  against  Treason "  .  .  .  I 

"  It  is  not  God  but  We  that  Seek  "  .  .  .281 

Jerusalem,  my  happy  home  .  .  .  .163 

Jerusalem,  thy  joys  divine  .  .  .  .  .170 

Jesus,  my  loving  spouse  .  .  .  .  .198 

"  Job,  A  Pleasant  Ballad  of  the  Just  Man  "  .  .  .  209 

"  A  Joyfull  Consolation  where  Christ  is  Lively  Felt  "  .  .  291 

Judge  me  not,  Lord,  in  wrathful  ire  .  .  .  .  300 

Let  bare-footed  beggars  still  walk  .  .  .  jjj  376 

"Lewes,  John,  A  Declaration  of  the  Death  of"  .  .  54 

408 


FIRST  LINES,  TITLES,  AND  TUNES 

PAGE 

Lo,  here  I  vance  with  spear  and  shield            .  .  .          257 

Lusty  Gallant             .              .              .              .  .  .322 

"  Man's  Life  is  Full  of  Misery "                        .  .  .277 

"  Marigold,  A  New  Ballad  of  the  "   .              .  .  .              8 

Mary,  Queen,  Ballad  of  Joy  upon  Her  Being  with  Child"    .  19 

"  Mary,  Queen,  Epitaph  upon  the  Death  of "  .  .            23 

The  Merchant  \cf.  Chappell's  Popular  Music,  I.,  381]  .  .          209 

"Music,  A  Song  in  Praise  of"            .               .  .  .          142 

My  thirsty  soul  desires  her  drought    .               .  .  .          170 

A  New  Ballad  of  the  Marigold  "     .              .  .  .              8 

"  Nigardy  and  Riches "          .              .              .  .  .          108 

No  wight  in  this  world  that  wealth  .               .  .  .108 

Now  England  is  happy  and  happy  indeed       .  .  .             19 

"  Now  sing,  now  spring,  our  care  is  exiled  "  .  .  .             19 

Now  the  Spring  has  come          .              .              .  .  .372 

O  blessed  God,  O  Saviour  sweet         .              .  .  .114 

O  God  above,  relent               .               .               .  .  .87 

O  God,  of  thy  great  might   .....  70 

O  heresy  with  frenzy             .              .              .  .  .27 

O  high  and  mighty  God       .              .              .  .  .340 

O  Lord,  thou  God  of  Israel .              .              .  .  -33 

O  Lord,  we  have  continual  cause       .              .  .  -363 

O  man  in  desperation                .              .              .  .  163,233 

O  man  that  runneth  here  thy  race     .               .  .  .          229 

O  mortal  man,  behold  and  see            .               .  .  .265 

Of  Catesby,  Faux,  and  Garnet            .              .  .  -359 

Old  Toby  called  his  loving  son           .               .  .  .219 

"  The  Parliament  of  Devils "              .              .  .  .384 

"  A  Pleasant  Ballad  of  the  Just  Man,  Job  "      .  .  .          209 

"A  Prayer  of  One  Being  Afflicted  with  Sin  "  .  .          298 

"A  Pretty  Ditty  entitled  O  Mortal  Man"     .  .  .          265 
"  A  Prisoner's  Song  "                                           ...170 

"A  Proper  Song,  Fain  would  I  Have  a  Pretty  Thing"  322 

"  Puritan,  A  Song  of  the  "    .               .               .  .  .134 

Room  for  Cuckolds      .              .              .              .  .  .189 

"  Sanders,  Woeful  Lamentation  of  Mrs.  Anne "  .          340 

41 A  Scourge  for  the  Pope "  .              .              .  .  189 

Seek  wisdom  chiefly  to  obtain              .               .  .  .226 

Shall  silence  shroud  such  sin                .               .  .  .54 

Should  my  poor  heart,  O  dearest  Lord             .  .  .294 

"  A  Singular  Salve  for  a  Sick  Soul  ".               .  .  .405 

"The  Sinner,  Being  Ashamed  of  His  Sin,  Dareth  Hardly 

Crave  Release "  .  .  .  .  .312 
"  The  Sinner,  Despising  the  World,  Reposeth  His  Confidence 

in  Christ"  .  .  .  .  .198 

Some  men  for  sudden  joy  do  weep  .  .  .  .47 

409 


OLD  ENGLISH  BALLADS 

"  A  Song  made  by  F.  B  .P."  .... 

Sweet  music  mourns  and  hath  done  long 

"  A  Table  of  Good  Counsel " 

"  A  Thanksgiving  for  One  from  Peril  of  Death  Restored  " 

The  covetous  carl  when  greedy  eyes  .... 

The  God  above  for  man's  delight       ...  .  .  1 

The  Lord  that  guides  the  golden  globe  .  .  .          28 

The  noble  peer  while  he  lived  here    .  .  .  34* 

The  thoughts  of  man  do  daily  change  .  .  .          22; 

There  is  no  man  so  lewd  of  life          .  .  .  .          27; 

"Thewlis,  The  Song  of  the  Death  of  Mr."    .  .  .  8' 

"  Thewlis,  The  Song  Writ  by  Mr."  .... 

Though  others  have  their  sight  at  will  .  . 

Till  Christ  our  Lord  return  ..... 

To  pass  the  place  where  pleasure  is    . 

«  Tobias,  A  Pleasant  Ballad  of"         .... 

"The  Travels  of  Time"       .  .  . 

True  Christian  hearts,  cease  to  lament 

True  Protestants,  I  pray  you  do  draw  near     . 

"  A  Triumph  for  True  Subjects " 

"  The  Triumph  of  Death 

Vain  is  the  bliss  and  brittle  is  the  glass  .  .  .  23 

"  Verbum  caro  factum  est "  .  .  .  .  .          203 

"  A  Very  Pretty  Song "         .  .  .  .  -325 

Walking  alone,  [no]  not  long  agone   ....          209 

"  A  Warning  unto  Repentance  and  of  Christ's  Coming"          ..         240 
What  cause  there  is,  alas,  to  wail        .  .  .  303 

What  means  this  careless  world  to  vance          .  .  .          240 

What  way  is  best  for  man  to  choose  .  .  .  .277 

When  as  mankind  through  Adam's  fall  .  .  .  127 

When  Mary  was  great  with  Gabriel  .  .  .  .384 

Where  pensive  hearts  relieved  are       .  .  .  .291 

Who  is  my  love  ?  I  shall  you. tell       ....          206 

Who  shall  profoundly  weigh  and  scan  .  .  .          265 

Who  would  not  be  a  cuckold  .  .  .  .196 

Why  should  not  mortal  men  awake    ....          245 

Wilson's  Tune  .  .  .  .  .  .245 

Winter  cold  into  summer  hot  .  .  .  .137 

"  The  Woeful  Lamentation  of  Mrs.  Anne  Sanders "    .  .          340 

"  The  Wretchedness  of  Man's  Estate  "...          303 


4IO 


Glossarial  Index 


Abdoit,  i.e.  John  Lewes,  54 

abyden,  to  abide,  107 

achyue,  to,  achieve,  2 

I  adultery,  tirades   against,   249,   273, 
288 

I  aduoutry,  adultery,  3 1 

[agredest,  to  aggravate,  398 

Ainsworth,  Harrison,  The  Tower  of 
London,  \ 

Albury,  Surrey,  379 

Aide,  John,  printer,  238 

ale,  see  good-ale 

ale-stake,  332,  338 

Alfield,  Thomas,  Catholic  martyr,  xxi 

Allen,  Cardinal  William,  xxi,  64 

alms-deeds,  value  of,  221 

ambrosia,  168 

amiddes,  amidst,  263 

Anderton,  Laurence,  S.J.,  xxix,  164 

annoy,  annoyance,  25,  158,  202 

Antiocus  Epiphanes,  247 

Antiquaries,  Society  of,  ballad-col 
lection,  8,  13,  23,  27,  54,  62,  184, 

H5»  363 
antiquity,  Catholic  plea  to,  27,  30 
apostolic  succession,  Catholic  doctrine 

of,  30 

appreste,  oppressed,  36 

apricocke,  172 

Armstrong,  Mungo,  a  spy,  x 

Askew,  Anne,  Protestant  martyr,   33 

assumpted,  to  be,  to  heaven,  308 

atchive,  to,  achieve,  299 

authors  of  ballads :  Anderton, 
Laurence,  1 64  ;  Bott,  Robert,  46  \ 
Careless,  John,  47  ;  D.,  R.,  245  ; 
Elderton,  William,  62 ;  Forrest, 
William,  12  ;  Gilbart,  Thomas, 
6 1  ;  Gyffon,  James,  379  ;  Hill, 


Thomas,  xix  ;  Parker,  Martin, 
189  ;  S.,  T.,  367  ;  Sanders,  Anne, 
340  ;  Stopes,  Leonard,  18  ;  Thew- 
lis,  John,  79  ;  W.,  T,  7  ;  Wai- 
pole,  Henry,  170 

Ave  Maria,  an,  1 3 

Awdeley,  John,  printer  and  balladist, 
xviii 

Babylon,  beast  of,  Catholic  Church, 
1 86 

Bacchus'  knights,  drunkards,  272 

ballads  :  anti-Catholic,  xiv,  xxiii,  62, 
1 80,  184,  189,  363,  368  ; 
Bishop  Bonner  investigates,  xv ; 
Catholic,  under  Elizabeth,  xxii, 
70,  101,  under  James  I.,  79,  87, 
1 08,  114,  119  ;  censored  by  Privy 
Council,  xi,  xii,  xvii  ;  flytings  with, 
xi,  xii  ;  John  Foxe  on,  xi  ;  legis 
lation  about,  xi,  xii,  xiii,  xv,  xvii  ; 
Protestant,  under  Mary  I.,  xvi,  33, 
47  ;  printing  of,  xxvi ;  searchers  for, 
xvii.  See  also  Authors,  Elizabeth, 
Henry  VIII.,  James  L,  Mary  I. 

balm,  balsam,  168,  173 

bande,  a,  bond,  n,  134 

Banks,  Richard,  printer,  fined,  xi 

Bannister,  Humphrey,  349 

barbed  horse,  262 

Barleycorn,  Sir  John,  331,  332 

barme,  334  n. 

Barnes,  Barnaby,  47 

base,  substantive,  3  5  i 

bate,  strife,  404 

"  Be  Patient  in  Trouble,"  a  ballad, 
209 

Beacon,  Thomas,  Sick  Man's  Sahe, 
405 


OLD  ENGLISH  BALLADS 


Beard,  Richard,  ballad  on  Mary  I., 
xiii 

Beaumont  and  Fletcher,  ballad- 
allusions  in,  329 

Beccles,  Suffolk,  Lamentation  of,  245 

Bede,  Venerable,  cited,  I  3  I 

beed,  command,  395 


Browne,  George,  murderer,  340,  34 j 

brute,  reputation,  25,  109 

Brutus,  legendary  founder  of  Britain 

283 
Buckingham,     Edward,     Duke 

ballads  on,  349 
Bull,  Michael,  19 


of 


beggars,  English  and  Scottish   com-  !  Bulls,  Papal  Proclamations,  xviii,  68 

pared,  376  ;  velvet  — ,  146  \  bumbast,  275 

behond,  beyond,  1 79  Bungey,  Cornelius,  Protestant  martyr 


bellman,  England's,  233 

beray,  bewrai,  to,  betray,  16,  235, 
326 

bicker,  be  bold  in,  390 

birds,  betrayed  by,  1 6 

black-jack,  134 

blanked  her  foes,  16 

blindness,  consolation  for,  320 

Blount,  John,  a  scribe,  xxx 

blubbered  face,  342 

Bodkin's  Galliard,  209 

Body,  William,  Cornish  martyr,  ix 

Bonner,  Bishop,  xv 

boot,  advantage,  401 

Bosgrave,  L,  Catholic  martyr,  63,  69 

Bosworth  Field,  3 

botch  and  byle  (boil),  2 1 1 

Bott,  Robert,  balladist,  33 

boun,  prepared,  387 

bound,  to,  abound,  250 

bounden,  p.p.,  400 

bows  and  bills,  150 

Bradford,  John,  balladist,  xiv  ;  Pro 
testant  martyr,  xvi,  xxxi,  33 

brainshire,  332,  338 

brave,  fine,  finely,  213,  248,  250, 
286 

breade,  breed,  386  ;  bred,  134 

breedren,  brethren,  93 

Brerely,  John,  priest,  xxix,  164 

Brian,  Alexander,  Catholic  martyr, 
63,  64 

Brice,  Thomas,  33,  48 

Brittany,  Britain,  England,  189 

broad-waking,  wide  awake,  1 1 7 

Brown,  John,  printer,  405 


33. 
burn  in  love,  to,  1 76 

burning    to    death,    33,     34,     54 
prayers  before  a,   58  ;  spectators 
actions  at,  58,  60 

busshope,  bosshope,    bishop,   43, 

but,  a,  butt,  3 

byde,  to,  abide,  28,  30 

Byrd,    William,    Psalmes,    xxix,    79 
143  ;  Songs  of  Sundry  Natures,  23$ 

cale,  to,  call,  105,  106,  107,  391 
Calvary  Mount,  ballad  of,  147 
Calvin's  brood,  137,  138;  —  cursec 

crew,  149 
Campion,  Edmund,  Catholic  martyr 

xxi,  62,  63 
Careless,    John,    Protestant    martyr 

xvi,  47,  55 

carking  cares,  278 

carks  and  cares,  14 

carols,  Christmas,  238 

carp,  to,  grumble,  180 

Carr,  Henry,  printer,  102 

catchpole,  149 

caterpillars,  minions,  185 

Catesby,  Robert,  360,  369 

Catholics  :  ballads  by,  xxii  ;  Christ 
mas  and,  374  ;  legislation  against 
by  Elizabeth,  xviii,  xix,  by  James  I., 
xxi  ;  Lord  Cecil's  book  against, 
xxi  ;  persecution  of,  xviii,  xx.  Set 
Martyrs,  Priests 

Catholike  Capitaynes,  I  5 

cattle,  possessions,  183,  212,  377 

caules,  head-dress,  250 


4I2 


GLOSSARIAL  INDEX 


2ecil,  Lord,  and  Catholic  persecution, 


XXI 

relibacy  defended,  139 

Charles  I.,  King,  194,  359,  364,  367, 

37°>  379 
cheap,     a,     bargain,    183  ;    on    sale 

(Cheapside),  323 

Jherlewood,  John,  printer,  252,  265 
cheson,  encheson,  occasion,  386 
Child,    F.    J.,    English    and    Scottish 

Popular  Ballads,  325 
childer,  childre,  children,  31,  32 
childing,  child-birth,  17 
Christ    and    crucifixion,    ballads   on, 
102,   1 14,  1 19  ;  —  and  a  Sinner, 
370  ;  the  life  of,  203,  384 
Christ's  cross-row,*  333  n. 
Christmas  carols,  238  ;   decay  of,   a 

ballad,  372 

Churchyard,  Thomas,  xii,  xxv 
cinnamon,  168,  173 
civette,  168 

civil  discord  condemned,  281 
Clarence,  Duke  of,  murdered,  3 
Clark,  Andrew,  editor.     See  Shir  burn 

Ballads 

Clement,  Roger,  murderer,  340 
cloath,     clothes,    97,     109  ;   to 

clothe,  386 
cloth   of  another   hue,    i.e.    another 

matter,  385 

coaches,  complaint  of,  374 
cockatrices,   187 
Coles,  Francis,  ptinter,  209 
Collier,  John  Payne,  101,  102,  108, 

209,  213,  229,  233,  238,  349 
Colwell,  Thomas,  printer,  213,  216 
Colyngton,   John,    Catholic   martyr, 

69 

comberant,  pres.  part.,  harassing,  404 
combred,  encumbered,  400 
comon,  p.p.,  come,  395 
concupiscence,  139,  161 
confessors,  75,  78,  103,  116,  175 


......       - 

conscience,    ballad   of  a   clear,    229, 


:onstable,  ballad  of  a,  379 

constantie,  constancy,  76,  90 

contempne,  to,  condemn,  77 

contentation,  232 

contreete,  contrite,  85 

convert,  verb  intrans.,  to  turn  to,  1 26, 

297 
Cornwall,  ballad  on  Catholic  rising 

in,  ix 

cosse,  a,  bargain,  132 
costumes,    Elizabethan,    250,    272, 

3*5*  3545  Jacobean,  377 
Coteham,  Thomas,  Catholic  martyr, 

63,  69 

cought,  caught,  5 
could,  cold,  137,  158,  165,  391 
countinance,  countenance,  59 
courtise,  courteous,  24 
courts,  Jacobean  constables',  379 
Coventry,  33,  34,  35,  42,  45,  47 
Coverdale,  Bishop  Miles,  47 
covetousness,    tirades    against,     108, 

272,  285 
cowslip,  8 

cracking  in,  to  come,  334 
Crawford,  Earl  of,  ballad-collection, 

209 

cressus,  Croesus,  220,  231,  257 
Cromwell,  Thomas,  Lord,  x,  xi 
cross,  the,  ballads  on,  127 
crucifix,  the,  ballad  on,  1 19  ;  defence 

of,  131 

crucifixion,  the,  ballad  on,  102 
crue,  crew,   191 
cuckoldry,  ballad  on,  196 
cure,  in,  charge  of,  243,  268 
cutlers,  complaint  of  Elizabethan,  277 

D.,  R.,  balladist,  245 
Daedalus,  ballad  on,  339 
daggers,  Elizabethan,  275,  278 
Damian,  St.  P.,  170 
dance  a  dump,  276 
David  and   music,    143,    144,    169 
264 


227 


Death,  ballads  on,  252,  257,  262 

4*3 


OLD  ENGLISH  BALLADS 


decaye,  downfall,  57,  148,  321,  343  ; 

to,  38 

deem,  to,  judge,  402 
Deloney,    Thomas,    balladist,    xxiv, 

245 

depart,  to,  separate,  255 
deuices,  schemes,  65,  66 
Devils'  Parliament,  384 
Devon,     ballad    on     Catholic    riots 

in,  ix 

dialogue  ballads,  252,  270,  360 
dice  play,  227,  274 
Dickens,  Charles,  on  Mary  I.,  xvii 
dight,  to  be,  99 
dint,  a,  stroke,  257,  259,  260 
disceuer,  to,  dissever,  32 
"  Ditty    Most    Excellent    for   Every 

Man  to  Read,"  xxix 
divorce  condemned,  no,  139 
do  on,  to,  263 
"  Doleful  Dance  and  Song  of  Death," 

xxix 

dolue,/./.,  delve,  to  dig,  109 
doo,/./>.,  do,  placed,  402 
doubling,  duplicity,  218 


Douce, 
359 


Elderton,William,  balladist,  xviii,  xxiv, 
62 

eles,  else,  167,  231 

Elizabeth,  Queen,  i,  13,  26,68,  183, 
233,  281;  Campion's  alleged  ploti 
against,  63  ;  Catholic  ballads  under, 
xxii;  excommunicated,  xviii;  per-; 
secution  of  Catholics,  xviii,  xx,  xxi; 
proclamation  of  as  Queen,  23  ;  pro 
clamations  by,  on  music,  142,  on 
starch,  135;  restrictions  on  ballads, 
xv,  xvii 

Empson,  Sir  Richard,  executed,  4 

England,  5,  n,  16,  17;  little — ,  20; 
receives  Flemish  refugees,  180 

England's  Helicon,  i  o  I 

Essex,  Earl  of,  poems  by,  xxx,  xxxi  n. 

eversion,  overthrow,  281 

every  each  one,  394 

extend,  verb  intrans.,  to  give  oneself 
to,  3 

eyesome,  adj.,  172 

fact,  a,  crime,  3,  340,  343,  346,  347 
fairings,  315 


Francis,     ballad-collection,    faith,    doctrine    of  salvation   of  by,, 

condemned,  138,  139,  140 
fale,  fall,  81,   124,   127,   226,   228, 

357,  398 

falshed,  falsehood,  66,  318 
fantasy,  fancy,  9,  213,215 
far  more  worse,  50 
Farr,  Edward,  Select  Poetry,  1 70,  238 
fasting,  decay  of,  139 
Faux,  Guide,  360 
fell,  fierce,  73,  400 
Felton,  John,  xviii 
fencing,  tirades  against,  276 
feson,  387  n. 
fetches,  tricks,  276 
Filby,  Thomas  or  William,  Catholic 

martyr,  63,  69 


dowynge,  dooynges,   doing,  acts,    4, 

10 

Drewry,  Anne,  murderess,  340,  343 
drue,  drew,  4 
drugs,  herbs,  168 
drunkenness,  ballads  on,  332 
dubtful,  doubtful,  2 1 
Dudley,  Edmund,  beheaded,  4 
dure,  to,  endure,  263 
Dyer,  Sir  Edward,  ballad  by,  xxix 


ear,  to,  plough  up,  255 

eare,  e'er,  395,402 

Edward  IV.,  King,  2,  349,  351 

Edward  VI.,  King,  xii,  xiii,  i,  5 

Edwards,  Richard,  xxv.     See  Paradise  '  filde,  p.p.,  fill'd,  25 

of  Dainty  Devises  \  find,  to,  support,  279,  288,  289 

eich,  each,  72,74,  201,  215,  353 
.-eike,  eke,  81,  103,  114,219 


fine,  the,  end,  259 

fines  for  ballads,  xi,  xii,  xvi 


414 


GLOSSARIAL  INDEX 


irth,  C.  H.,xv,  19,  359,  37^ 

sh-days,  abuse  of,  137 

jag,  to  win  the,  334 

jeed,  flayed,  73 

em,  a,  river,  403 

^lemings,  migration  to  England,  1 80 

.oure,  flowers,  Mary  I.  compared  to, 
8 

en,/./.,  flown,  fled,  372 
Joles,  fools,  21 ;  folish,  27 
Jbnd  fits,  2 1 5 
;bo,  foe,  34 

botsteps,  to  goon,  102 
:br  why,  43,  45,  46,  59,  81,  136 
^Forbes,  John,  Cantos,  xxix,  143,  223, 

229,  270 
jFord,  Thomas,  Catholic  martyr,  63, 

69 

jfbrlorn,  to  be,  lost,  140,  145,  148 
IForrest,  William,  priest,  ballads  by, 

xiv,  2,  12 

iforst,  forced,  3,  24,  93,  271,  313 
ifould,  a,  sheep-fold,  81,  102 
ifbnrme,  form,  28 

foyle,  a,  defeat,  7 1 ;  to,  129 

France,  5 

French  caps  condemned,  275 

frenesy,  frenzy,  27 

frey,  affray,  338 

Fridays,  meat  eaten  on,  139 

frie,  fry,  crew,  67 

friends,  false,  ballads  on,   in,   223, 
227,  230 

fruit,  offspring,  17,  26 

fry,  to,  burn  alive,  74,  84,  150 

futte,  foot,  10 


Gabael,  220 

gad,  to,  30 

Gandisphore,  8  3 

Garnet,  Richard,  priest,  execution  of, 

88,  360 

gaue,  forgave,  24 
geason,  rare,  323 
geere,  gear,  394 
gestes,  guests,  182 


geuen,  geueth,  geuyng,  firms  of  give, 

2,  7,25,  283,322 
ghostlie,  spiritual,  81 
Gilbart,  T.,  ballad  by,  61 
glore,  glory,  258 

Gloucester,  Duke  of,  see  Richard  III. 
Glover,  Mary,  34;   Robert,  xvi,  33; 

Timothy,  46 
glozes,  glosses,  67 
God  wot,  inter/.,  74,  84,  255,  334 
"  Godly  Exhortation  to  Love,"  xxviii 
gold  and  fee,  92 

Golding,  Arthur,  pamphlet  by,  340 
good-ale,  ballad  on  Master,  3  3 1 
good-nights,   last   farewells   in  verse, 

xxxi,  79,  340 
Googe,  Barnaby,  xxv 

Gorgeous  Gallery  of  Gallant  Inventions, 

223,  257 
grafte,  grafted,  24 

Grafton,  Richard,  punished  for  print 
ing  ballads,  xi 

grawing  sin,  307  ». 

Gray,  William,  balladist,  xi 

Create  bretain,  2 

greedy  guts,  243 

Greenslowe,    alias    Hunt,    Catholic 
martyr,  70 

Grey,  Lady  Jane,  xiii,  I,  1 1,  87 

Grey,  Lord,  de  Wilton,  65 

grid-iron,  St.  Laurence's,  74, 79, 80, 84 

gripes  of  gold,  287 

grutch,  to,  grumble,  65,  380 

Gude  and  Godlie  Ballatis,   127,   203, 
262 

guilt,/./.,  gilt,  gilded,  173 

gules,  175 

Gundaphore,  83 

Gunpowder   Plot,   xxi,    88  ;  ballads 

on,  359»  363»  3^8 
Gyffon,  James,  ballad  by,  379 


(h)abundantly,  26 
Hachman,  Thomas,  scribe,  xxx 
Hamount,       Matthew,       Protestant 
martyr,  54 


OLD  ENGLISH  BALLADS 


handcarchaffes,  99 

Handfutt  of  Pleasant  Delights,  322 

happe,  the,  fortune,  117,   279,   310, 

326  ;  to,  happen,  231 
harde,  heard,  6,  59,  no,   131,   178, 

353*355 

harrowing  of  hell,  106,  384 
Hart,  John,  Catholic  martyr,  69 
Harvey,  Gabriel,  329 
headed,  to  be,  beheaded,  82 
heap,  a,  measure,  183,  324 
heare,    here,    42,    147,    404;   hair, 

250,  253,  275,  279 
heart-root  sighs,  3 1 4 
heaven,   descriptions   of,    147,    152, 

,163,  170 
hedging  bill,  354 
hell  harrowed,  106,  384 
hellish,  145,  345 
Henry  VI.,  King,  3 
Henry  VII.,  King,  3,  349 
Henry  VIII.,  King,  x,  4 
here,  her,  20,  34 
heresy,    ballads    against,     27,    137  ; 

Mary  I.  praised  for  crushing,  14 
heretics,  tirades  against,  31,  77,  160 
hert,    hertes,    heart(s),    9,    17,    24, 

passim 
Heywood,  John,  his  ballads,  xiv,  xvi, 

xxix 
Heywood,    Thomas,     ballad-allusion 

in,  47 

hie,  high,  65,  241,  243 
Hill,  Thomas,  balladist,  xxix 
Hilling,  William,  martyr,  ix 
Hilton,  John,  Catch  That  Catch  Can, 

379   " 
hit,  it,  324 

hoarding  condemned,  109,  285 
hoat,  hot,  137,  406 
holp,  helped,  263 
honey  sweet,  201 
hote,  hot,  373 
hounge,  hung,  148 
hourglass,  Death's,  257,  264 
Hunnis,  William,  124,  270 


Hunt,    Thurston,    Catholic   martyi 

70,  87 

hurdle,  85  ».,  94,  95,  150 
hye,  high,  68,  98,    100,    102,   27; 

390,    397;    to,    hasten,    98,    32 

355 

Icarus,  ballad  on,  329 

idolatry,       Catholicism        defend< 

against,  29,  131 
imbrude,  drenched,  148 
imps,  children,  attendants,  55,  286 
incontinent,   immediately,    49,   21 

327 

infect,/./.,  infected,  269,  347 
iocand,  jocund,  400 
Ireland,  5,  65 
Italy,  pride  punished  in,  248 

Jack,  many  a,  138 
James  I.,  King,   90,   91,    146,    i6< 
J93,  233,  358>  378  ;  anti-Catholic 
legislation  of,  xxi,    184,    189  ;  his 
Scotch       beggars,      376  ;    music 
declines     under,      142  ;     powde 
treason  and,  xxi,  359,  363,   368 
proclamations  on  Lent,  137 
James  V.,  King  of  Scotland,  x 

jeolors,  gaolers,  388 

Jerusalem,   the    heavenly,   described, 
78,  152,  163,  170  ^ 

Jesuit  and  a  Presbyterian,  a  dialogue 
between,  359 

Jesuits,  see  Seminary  priests 

Jews,  the  cruel,  73,  82,  104 

Jezebel,  247  ;  Mary  I.  compared  to, 
xiv 

Job,  ballad  of,  209 

Jockie,  i.e.  a  Scotchman,  377,  378 

jogging,  let's  be,  187 

Johnson,  Richard,  balladist,  349 

Johnson,    Robert,    Catholic    martyr, 
63,  69 

jolifloure,  gillyflower,  9 

jolly  jags,  273 

Jones,  Richard,  ballad-printer,  61,  69 


416 


GLOSSARIAL  INDEX 

Jones,  William,  printer,  367  j  Lewes,  John,  Protestant  martyr,  47,  54 

Jonson,  Ben,  189,  315  j  leyt,  light,  398 

Judgment  Day,  ballads  on  the,   240,     icense  fees  of  ballads, 


245,  309  ;  predicted  by  the  cru 
cifix,  125,  by  Ephraim,  133 
Judith  and  Holofernes,  14,  193 
jump,  to  (used  of  clocks),  138 
juries,  Jacobean  described,  382 

kaiser,  emperour,  258,  259 

Keats,  John,  1 70 

Ket,  Francis,  Protestant  martyr,  54 

kike,  peep  (?),  31  »• 

Kindlemarsh,  Francis,  ballad  by,  238 

King's  Bench,  Southwark  prison,  48 

Kirby,   Luke,   Catholic   martyr,  63, 

69 

kissing  goes  by  favour,  382 
Knell,  T.,  balladist,  xxiii 
knot,    God's,    marriage,    no,    279; 

knit    up   the,   to   conclude,   112; 

-of  love,  28  ;  —  of  points,  317 
kynde,  kind,  nature,  50 
Kyngston,  John,  printer,  209 

Lancashire,  Catholic  ballads  in,  xxiii 
Lancaster,  priests  executed  at  70,  76, 

79,  87 
Lant,  Richard,  ballads  printed  by,  12, 

13,  26  ;  imprisoned  for  ballad  on 

Mary  I.,  23 
lapped,  148  n. 
Lawton,  John,  balladist,  xii 
lease,  to,  lose,  83 
leasing,  lying,  402 
least,  lest,  150,  $&,  passim 
lecture,  lection,  119 
Leigh,  Dr.  William,  87,  98 
lemmond,  lemon,  172 
lenger,  longer,  3 


Lent,    legislation   for   observance   of, 

137 
let,  to,  hinder,   324,   393,  400  ;  to 

leave  undone,  128 
leuyng,  leaving,  3 

2  D 


Lichfield,  33,  43 


ightening,  lighting,  390 
imed  fingers,  289  n. 


ink  in  love,  to,  343 
little  isle  (England),  283 
oape,  leaped,  401 
base,  to,  lose,  355,  397 
locusts,  i.e.  Papists,  1 8  5 
Lodge,  Thomas,  341 
look  through  one's  fingers,  to  over 
look,  condone,  382 
loose,  to,  lose,  82,   251 
lot,  to,  allot,  258 
lout,  to,  jeer,  77 
loves,  plural  sub  St.,  97 
lover,  complaint  of  a,  322  325 
lowreth,  frowns,  1 1 1 
Loyal  Garland  of  Mirth,  360, 
Lucifer's  lantern,  1 3  5 
lucre,  desire  of,  165,  355 
lungeous  spear,  122 
lure,  a,  deceit,  343 
Lycurgus  on  music,  145 

Machabees,  the  seven,  72 

Machiavelli,  117,  187 

macke,  to,  make,  34,  36,  38,  41,  44, 
346 

Madeley,  Roger,  ballad  printed  by,  7 

magnificat,  the,  169 

Mahomets,  idols,  389,  390 

maistresse,  mistress,  16,  26 

malis,  malice,  21 

malmesey,  3 

mane,  a,  man,  34,  41 

MS.  Ashmole  48,  2,  127,  143,  322 

MS.  Cotton  Vespasian  A.  XXV., 
127,  129 

Manuscripts,  the,  dates  of,  xxvni, 
xxx  ;  described,  xxvii,  xxx  ;  edi 
torial  treatment  of,  xxvii  ;  location 
of,  xxvii 

margerite,  a,  pearl,  173 

417 


OLD  ENGLISH  BALLADS 


marigold,  20  ;  ballad  of  the,  8 
Marten,  William,  ballad-printer,  fined, 
xii 

martyrs,  Catholic,  xix,  xx  ;  ballads  on, 
62,70,79,88,  114, 137,  147,  152 

martyrs,  Nonconformist,  xx  ;  ballad 
on,  54 

martyrs,  Protestant,  xvi,  xx  ;  ballads 
on,  33,  47 

Mary  I.,  Queen,  accession  of,  i  ;  com 
pared  to  Jezebel,  xiv  ;  character 
of,  xvii  ;  Dickens  on,  xvii  ;  im 
prisons  Elizabeth,  183;  instructions 
to  Bonner  about  ballads,  xv  ; 
libelous  ballads  on,  xiv  ;  number 
of  martyrs  under,  xx  ;  restrictions 
on  ballad  printing,  xiii,  xv 

Mary  I.,  Queen,  ballads  on  her  pro 
clamation  as  Queen,  I  ;  comparing 
her  to  a  marigold,  8  ;  an  Ave 
Maria  in  honour  of,  13;  her 
supposed  pregnancy,  19  (xvi); 
epitaph  on,  23  (xvii) 

Mary  the  Mother  of  Chris t,  163,  170 

mass,  vanity  of  the,  43,  44 

mass-mongers,  193 

match  and  the  make,  the,  2 1 

mate,  a  familiar,  an  intimate,  56,  318 

mault,  Master,  331;  Quarters  of,  337 

maxims,  ballads  of,  226,  229 

maysterese,maystrys,  mistress,  1 6, 3  4, 3  7 

meacock,  196 

mean,  low  socially,  266,  351 

measles,  391 

meat,  sorrow  is  my,  2 1 1 

meckelye,  meekly,  42 

medler,  a  fruit,  172 

meekle,  mikle,  much,  91 

Mell,  George,  lover  of  Mrs.  Sanders, 

34° 

mend  a  miss,  to,  396,  399 
mene,  men,  35 
Mercurms  Democritus,  79  ;    —  Fumi- 

gosus,  139 
merry  mates,  286 
meruailous,  marvellous,  17 


middes,  amidst,  89,  128 

Vliddleton,  Robert,  Catholic  martyr, 

.70,  87 

mince  pepin,  Mrs.,  135 
misery  of  life,  ballads  on  the,  277,  30  j||' 
mo(e),  more,  4,  9,  74,  75  76 
iioch,  much,  17 
momme,  mum,  258 
monasteries,   dissolution   of,  a  ballac 

on  the,  ix 
moneth,  month,  6 
money,  'tirades  against  the  evils  olj 

109,  in,  112 
moralized    ballads,    198,    213,    216 

322 

mould,  the,  earth,  108,  109,  250 
mumping  face,  1 3  5 
Munday,  Antony,  xxii,  xxiv,  62,  79 

262,  340 
murders,  pamphlets  on  Elizabethan 

34° 
music,  ballad  on  the  decay  of,  142 

names,     Elizabethan    and     Jacobea 

given,  and  surnames,  135,  333 
Narcissus,  pride  of,  248 
narde,  168 
Nashe,  Thomas,  allusions  to  ballads, 

47,  329 

ne,  nfg.,  30,  207,  392 

near(e),  ne'er,  385,  392 

neightbour,  228 

nesh,  weak,  delicate,  211 

Nestor's  years,  286 

neuewes,  nephews,  2 

Newgate,  London  prison,  341 

New  Year's  gifts,  3 1 6 

nigardy,  ballad  against,  1 08 

ninuectyue,  a,  an  invective,  2 

nipes,  325 

noise,  music,  144,  145 

Nonconformists,  Elizabethan,  treat 
ment  of,  xx,  54 

Northampton,  Catholic  ballads  in, 
xxiii 

Northern  Rebellion,  xviii,  1 80 


418 


GLOSSARIAL  INDEX 


(Northumberland,  Duke    of,  xiii,    I, 

5,  7, 
[Norwich,  Mary  I.  proclaimed  at,  I  ; 

heretics  burned  at,  xx,  54 
|  Nutter,  Robert,  Catholic  martyr,  70 

|oeth,  oath,  91 

officers,    corruptibility    of  Jacobean, 

110,  382 
one,  on,  257,  258,  263,  passim 
or,  ere,  150,  397 
organs  in  churches  objected  to,  142, 

H5 
Orton,  Henry,  Catholic  marryr,  63, 

out  alas  !  4,  352 
overgo,/./.,  overgone,  397 

P.,  F.  B.,  balladist,  164 

painted  flies,  199 

paltry  patch,  138 

pannel,  334 

pants,  the  heart,  300 

papyre,  popery,  39,  43 

Paradise  of  Dainty  Devises,  xxxi,  223, 
229,  238,  245,  265,  315 

pardy,  inter/.,  255 

Parker,  Martin,  balladist,  xxiv,  189, 
285 

Parliament,  the  Devils',  384 

paste,  passed,  35 

Paul's,  St.,  Cathedral,  Mary  I.  pro 
claimed  at,  6 

Peele,  Stephen,  balladist,  xviii 

Pekering,  William,  printer,  209 

pelfe,  treasure,  39,  123,  134,  153,274 

pelican,  superstitions  connected  with 
the,  124 

Pepys,  Samuel,  19  ;  ballad-collection 
of,  19,  189,  209,  331,  349,  359, 
360,  368 

Percy  Folio  MS.,  349 

perfett,  perfit,  perfect,  1 10,  214,  2*39, 

345 

perpende,  to,  consider,  57 
Piers  the  Plowman,  generic  term,  373 


Philip    II.,    King    of   England   and 

Spain,  1 9,  180 
pill,  to,  rob,  139 
pinch  the  pots,  to,  drink,  274 
pinched  soul,  314;  pinching  pain,  292 
plenty,  adv.,  plentifully,  223 
plows,  need    for,   278  ;    God    speed 

the,  146 
Plymouth,  x 

pointed,  appointed,  258,  304 
points,  maxims,  315;  laces,  3 1 8 
pole,  to,  rob,  139 
Policy  and  Popery,  ballad  of,  184 
Pollen,  J.  H.,  xxix,  70,  79,  85,  87 
Pon  Woodstock  (?),  ix 
Pope,  Alexander,  138 
Popes  :  Gregory  XIII.,  64,  69  ;  Leo 

XIII.,  71,  79;  Pius  V.,  66,  68  ; 

Urban  VIII.,  a  scourge  for,  189 
posies,  315 

post,  to,  ride  hurriedly,  186,  353 
powlder,  a,  hubbub,  382 
pray,  a,  prey,  364 
predestination  scoffed  at,  140 
press-gangs,    difficulties  of  Jacobean, 

38i 
prest,  ready,  244,  346,  398  ;  quickly, 

389 

Preston,  Yorkshire,  priest  executed 
at,  70  ^ 

pretence,  intent,  214 

Price,  Laurence,  balladist,  209,  372 

prick  song  (with  double  entendre],  135 

pride,  ballad  against,  245 

priests,  ballads  by,  xiv,  2,  I  3,  23,  1 14, 
147,  152  ;  legislation  against,  xix, 
xxi  ;  number  executed  under 
Elizabeth,  xx  ;  treasonable,  xx. 
See  Seminary  priests 

printers,  ballad,  works  reproduced  : 
Back,  J.,  Blare,  J.,  Brooksby,  P., 
Deacon,  J.,  371  ;  Jones,  Richard, 
6 1,  69  ;  Jones,  William,  367  ; 
Lant,  Richard,  12,  13,  26,  32  ; 
Madeley,  Roger,  7  ;  Ryddle, 
William,  22  ;  Trundle,  John,  195 


419 


OLD  ENGLISH  BALLADS 


prisoners,  farewell  verses  from,  79, 
340;  treatment  of,  43,  48,  55, 
63,  70,  85,  87,  93,  147 

proclamation  of  Lady  Jane  Grey  as 
Queen,  I  ;  of  Mary  I.,  I  ;  customs 
at,  6 

procure,  to,  induce,  57,  282  ;  con 
trive,  343,  344 

prodigies  at  execution  of  priests,  88, 
99,  100 

proufe,  proof,  304 

prow,  advantage,  396 

pro  wed,  proud,  250,  268,  269 

Psalms,  Elizabethan  editions  of  the, 

XXV 

puffing  pride,  249 
purging  pills,  374 
Puritans  abhor  Christmas,  373  ; 

destroy   music,    142  ;  satirized    by 

a  Catholic,  I  34 

pursivants,  priest-hunters,  149,  1 60 
pusuant,  puissant,  5 
pwblyshed,  published,  20 
pyle,  pile,  a  small  castle,  390 

quaile,  to,  decline,  fail,  130,  149 
queere,  choir,  146,  169,  175 
quell,  to,  kill,  207 
quicke,  alive,  28,  74 
quyght,  quite,  4,  3  I 

rablelie,  rabblement,  mob,  400 

rack,  torture  on  the,  63,  70,  151,  160 

ragged  rocks,  279,  286 

Raphael,  Angel,  and  Tobias,  222     . 

rattle  out  rhetoric,  to,  rant,  67 

ravens  bury  a  priest,  100  ;  devour 
quartered  priests,  i  5  I 

ravine,  rapine,  112 

Rawlins,  Alexander,  Jesuit,  execution 
of,  87 

Rawlinson  (Bishop  Richard),  ballad- 
collection,  163,  209  ;  MSS.,  xxvii, 
245,  265,  322,  325,  359 

rayne,  raygne,  to,  reign,  2,  3 

recomfort,  21 


Redman,  Robert,  printer,  xi 
reft,  bereft,  301,  313 
regiments,  rules,  28 
religious       verse,       popularity 

Elizabethan,  xxv 
"  Remember   Thy    End,"    a    poem 

229 

reminent,  remnant,  217 
rennyng,  running,  14 
rent,   complaints   of  excessive,    139 

373 

rept,  109  n. 

resowne,  to,  resound,  24 
retchless,  heedless,  31,  278 
Rheims,  Jesuit  college  at,  63,  65 
Richard  III.,  King,  2,  349 
Richardson,       Laurence,       Catholi 

martyr,  63,  69 
Rishton,   Edward,   Catholic    martyr 

63,  69 

Robins,  Thomas,  tract  by,  332 
Robinson,  Clement,  322 
Rogers,  Owen,   ballad-printer,    108, 

285 

Romans,  Catholics,  368,  369 
Rome,   Time's    travels    to,   a   satire, 

184 

roost,  to  rule  the,  277 
ruffs,  great,  satirized,  1 3  5 
Rushton,  Edward,  see  Rishton 
Ryddaell,  William,  ballad-printer,  22 

S.,  D.,  i.e.  D.  Sands,  ballad  by,  229 

S.,  T.,  ballad  by,  367 

sacraments,  the  seven,  28,  122 

saffron  bag,  a,  trifle,  138 

sallets,  heads,  334 

Salve  for  a  Sick  Soul,  A,  405 

Sanders,  Mrs.  Anne,  ballad  by,  340  ; 
George,  London  merchant,  mur 
dered,  340  ;  George,  murderer, 
of  Hartford,  341 

Sari%ford  Moor,  x 

Sands,  D.,  ballad  by,  229 

Sandys,  Archbishop  Edward,  of 
York,  229 


420 


GLOSSARIAL  INDEX 


Saunders,  Dr.,  64  ;  Laurence, 
Protestant  martyr,  33,  45.  See 
Sanders 

scant,  a,  poverty,  227,  317 

scape,  escape,  67,  126 

Scotch  beggars,  376 

Scotland,  libelous  ballads  in,  x 

scrues,  screws  (of  the  Inquisition), 
187 

sede,  seed,  offspring,  4,  20 

Seminary  priests,  ballads  on  their 
proscription  from  England,  184, 
189  ;  execution  of,  63,  64,  70, 
79,  87  ;  laws  against,  65,  184, 
189.  See  Priests 

sext,  sixth,  3 

Shakespeare,  ballad-allusions   in,  47; 

329 
"  Shaking  of  the  Sheets,"  xxix,  209 

shalme,  239 

Shanne,   Richard,   of  Yorkshire,   his 

Diary,  163,  372 
sheep's  clothing,  67 
shemsters,  sempstresses,  324 
shent,  to  be,  severely  punished,   35, 

251*  346»  393. 
shepherd,  a,  on  Zion  hill,  101 
Shert,    John    or    William,    Catholic 

martyr,  63,  69 
Sherwin,    Ralph,     Catholic     martyr, 

63,64 

shider,  to  stand  full,  395  ». 
shift,  action,  resources,  50,  282 
Shir  burn    Ballads,    xxvii,    163,    198, 

233.     See  Andrew  Clark 
shoe,  to,  show,  24,  65,  103,  154 
Shore,  Jane,  349, 
shrowde,    to,    shroud,    conceal,     55, 

109 

sicarlie,  397 

Sick  Man's  Salve,  The,  405 
Sidgwick,  F.,  329 
silly,  innocent,  helpless,  103 
Simon  Smellknave,  329 
Sims,  Valentine,  printer,  405 
singing  defended,  143 


singler,  singular,  10 

sinner,  ballads  of  a,  296,  298,  300, 

312  ;    Christ  and  a,  270 
slopes,  trousers,  354 
lumber,  awake  from,  a  ballad,  233 
Smith,    Robert,    Protestant    martyr, 

xvi,  xxxi 
Smyth,  Sir  Thomas,  his  flyting  with 

W.  Gray,  xi 
Somerset,  Duke  of,  Lord  Protector, 

beheaded,  5 
one,  soon,  3,  4 

>ongmen,  troubles  of  Jacobean,  142 
>onne,  sun,  8,   10  ;    son,  10,  51,  61, 

passim 

sousing,  303 
Southwell,   Robert,   Jesuit   poet,  xx, 

84,  87,  262 
Sovereign  Salve,  A,  405 
spacke,  spaycke,  to,  speak,  41,  44 
Spanish  spice  condemned,  276 
sparch,  to,  258 
sparhawk,  131 
spiel,  to,  deprive,  271 
spill,  to,  harm,  1 15,  346 
spoile,  see  spoyle 
Spooner,  Henry,  balladist,  xvi 
spousage,  marriage,  392 
spouse,  Christ's,  the  Catholic  Church, 

31*    9!»    95»     I00>     I01  5     the 
Protestant  Church,  52  ;    the  soul 

of  man,  153. 
spousesse,  Christ's,  3  I 
spoyle,  to,  destroy,  24,  64,  257,  258, 

261,  263 

stagger  nor  stutte,  10 
stand  stiffly,  to,  i.e.  boldly,  10 
starch,  legislation  against,  I  3  5 
stay,  to,  hold  up,  support,   26  ;    to 

stop,  242,  264,  343  ;    a,  position, 

231 

stayers,  stairs,  334 
sterres,  stars,  8 
sterue,  to,  die,  9,  3  I 
Steven,  voice,  399,  403 
stid,  a,  stead,  place,  395 


421 


OLD  ENGLISH  BALLADS 


stiff  as  a  stake,  2 1 

still  as  a  stone,  58 

stirre,  a  struggle,  337 

Stopes,  Leonard,  priest,  ballad  by,  1 3 

store,  abundance,  246,  267,  283,  290 

Story,  Dr.  John,  Catholic  martyr,  xviii 

straws,  esteemed  as,  14.0 

street-brawls,  Elizabethan,  277 

strive  against  the  stream,  254 

strutting  full,  287 

styrrers,  originators  of,  65 

sutche,  such,  64 

swelt,  to,  die,  248 

swet,  sweat,  327 

swim  in  sin,  273 

swinge,  to  sway  the,  to  bear  sway,  7 

syence,  science,  knowledge,  46 

syne,  sin,  43 

tables,  printed  ballads  or  broadsides, 

229,  405 

tacke,  to,  take,  39,  344 
tame,  to,  subdue,  injure,    192,  240, 

402 

tane, /./.,  taken,  94 
tattling  tongues,  25  I 
tene,  malice,  I  5 
tent,  heed,  393 
terrettes,  turrets,  166 
texts,   treatment  of,   explained,  xxvi, 

xxvii 

than,  then,  6,  29,  59,  324 
the,  thee,  25,  30,  35;  they,  36,  40, 

43>  8z»  '36 
then,  than,  9,  21,  50,  67,  115,  121, 

172 

theretill,  344 
Thewlis,  John,  priest,  70;  ballad  by, 

79;  ballad  of  his  execution,  87 
thicke,  thicket,  177 
thie,  the,  242;  thy,  346 
tho,  those,  400;  then,  397,  399,  401 
Thorne,  Master,  ballads  by,  265 
thrall,   evil   fortune,    40,    128,    217, 

226;  228 
thrilleth,  pierces,  126 


throughlie,  thoroughly,  72,  266,  310, 

406 

throwe,  through,  405 
Thwing,  Edward,  Catholic  martyr,  70 
tickle  trust,  25 
tilman,  a,  ploughman,  178 
Time,  Father,  ballad  on,  184 
Tobias,  ballad  of,  219 
Tobit,  Book  of,  219 
too,  to,  402 

too,  too,  adv.  phrase,  243,  345 
top  to  toe,  73,  148,  2ii 
Totters  Miscellany,  223;  poems  from 

in  MSS.,  xxix,  xxxi 
Tower,  the,  of  London,  I,  3,  69,  70, 

150 

toys,  trifles,  274,  316 
train,  a,  snare,  5,  43;  a  band,  75,  289 
transubstantiation,  28,  366 
trauvell,  to,  travail,  14,  1 1 1 
treachery,  God's  punishment  for,  357 
Troilus  and  Cressida,  ballad  on,  322 
trump  of  Judgment,  241,  242,  243, 

3H 

Trundle,  John,  ballad-printer,  189 
Trusty  Roger,  murderer,   340,  343, 

344 

tun,  a,  tub,  337 
Turbervile,  George,  xxv 
Turkey  blades,  278 
turmoyle,  trouble,  181,  301 
"  Twelve  Witty  Warnings,"  3  I  5 
twist,  out  of  our,  388 
Tyburn,  64,  150,  152,  160. 
type,  use  of,  explained,  xxvi 

umbethink,  to,  1 24 
undernome,  p.p.,  received,  396 
undersong,  a,  chorus  or  refrain,  170 
(Other  examples  of  undersongs  are 
printed  on  pp.  20,  206,  238,  265, 

340 
unstayed,  unsupported,  23 


vade,  to,  fade,  309 

vale  of  misery,  the  earth,  266 


422 


GLOSSARIAL  INDEX 


vance,  to,  advance,  240,  242,  257,259 
I  vanity  of  the  world,  ballad  on  the,  265 


velvet  beggars,  146 

vices,    tirades    against   various, 


140, 


226,  240,  272,  277,  281,  285 
vine,  God's,  the  Church  of  England, 

185,  188 
voide,  adj.,  devoid  of,  30;  to,  avoid, 

6,  269 
vylde,  vile,  58 

W.,    T.,    i.e.    Thomas    Watertoune, 

ballad  by,  2,  7 

walk,  to,  used  of  the  tongue,  56 
Walpole,  Henry,  Jesuit,  87,  170 
Wanley,  Humphry,  19 
warden,  a,  pear,  172 
I  ware,  to  be,  heedful,  298 
Warning  for  Fair  Women,  A,  340 
Watertoune,  Thomas,  ballad  by,  2,  7 


ise,  confounding  — ,  299;  contrary 
—,  no;  feeling  — ,  314;  heaped 
— ,  312;  honest—,  317;  nillmg 
— ,  263;  possessing  — ,  271;  pro 
testing  — ,  294;  struggling  — ,  296 

without  all  vain,  40 

wittold,  a,  cuckold,  196 

witty,  wise,  15,  388 

woe  worth,  intety'.,  325,  343,  356 

Wolsey,  Cardinal,  attacked  by  ballad- 
ists,  x 

Wood,      Antony,     ballad-collection, 

359 

Wooton,  John,  101 
Worde,  Wynkyn  de,  printer,  384 
wracke,  ruin,  24,  25 
Wrennall  (Wrenno),  Roger,  Catholic 

martyr,  87,  98 
wringing  and  wrunging,  20 
wyld,  will'd,  59 


weale,  to,  wail,  167,  210 
weare,  were,  42,  35,  324,  400 
Webley,Thomas,  Catholic  martyr,  xx 
were,  to,  wear,  3,  129,  250 
Whartbn,   Sir  Thomas,   and    Scotch 

ballads,  x 

Whetstone,  George,  xix,  xxv,  3 1  5 
whore  of  Rome,  52;   the  purple  - 

1 8  6,  the  Catholic  Church 
wifed,  life,  married  life,  objected  t 
for  priests,  1 39 


yche,  each,  330 

yea,  ye,  84,  395>  4°2 

yeede, />./.,  went,  no,  205,  393 

"York,  Chorister's  Song  of,"  163 

Yorkshire,    priests    arrested    in,    70; 

Shanne  family  of,  372 
Youth    and    Death,   a    dialogue   be 
tween,  252 

Zion  hill,  a  shepherd  on,  I  o  I 


423 


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Rollings,  Hyder  Edward 
Old  English  Ballads