Reliques of ancient English poetry: consisting of old heroic ballads ...

i86
ANCIENT SONGS
Therfore, in any cafe, faile not to be in place. 2 ?
I wis, quoth the miller, this is an odd jeft
What mould we doe there? faith, I am halfe afraid.
I doubt, quoth Richard, to be hang'd at the leaft.
Nay, quoth the meffenger, you doe miftake ;
Our king he provides a great feafl for your fake. 30
Then fayd the miller, By my troth, meffenger,
Thou had contented my worfhippe full well.
Hold here are three farthings, to quite thy gentlenefs,
For thefe happy tydings, which thou doll tell.
Let me fee, hear thou mee; tell to our king, «
We'll wayt on his mafterlhipp in everye thing.
The purfuivant fmiled at their iimplicitye,
And, making many leggs, tooke their reward ;
And taking then his leave with great humilitye
To the kings court againe he repair'd
Shewing unto his grace, merry and free.
The knightes moft liberall gift and bo untie.
When he was gone away, thus gan the miller fay,
Here come expences and charges indeed ;
Now muft we needs be brave, tho' we fpend all we have >
For of new garments we have great need : 46
Of horfes and ferving-men we mull have ftore,
With bridles and faddles, and twentye things more.
;
:
40
Tufhe,