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

A N D B A L L A D S. 187
Tufhe, fir John, quoth his wife, why fhouldyou frett, or
You mall n'er be att no charges for mee ;
[frowne ?
For I will turne and trim up my old ruifet gowne, 51
With everye thing elfe as fine as may bee;
And on our mill-horfes fwift we will ride,
With pillowes and pannells as we ihall provide.
In this moft ftatelye fort, rode they unto the court, tjij
Their jolly fonne Richard rode foremoft of all
Who fet up, by good hap, a cocks feather in his cap,
And fo they jetted downeto the kings hall;
The merry old miller with hands on his fide
His wife, like maid Marian, did mince at that tide. 60
The king and his nobles, that heard of their coming.
Meeting this gallant knight with his brave traine ;
Welcome, fir knight, quoth he, with your gay lady
Good fir John Cockle, once welcome againe :
And fo is the fquire of courage foe free. 65
Quoth Dicke, Abots on you ; do you know mee ?
Quoth our king gentlye, how mould I forget thee ?
That waft my owne bed-fellow, well it I wot.
Yea, fir, quoth Richard, and by the fame token,
Thou with thy farting didft make the bed hot. 70
Thou whore-fon unhappy knave, then quoth the knight,
Speake cleanly to our king, or elfe go mite.
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