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

i88 ANCIENT SONGS
The king and his courtiers laugh at this heartily,
While the king taketh them both by the hand
With ladyes and their maids, like to the queen of fpades
The millers wife did foe orderly ftand, 76
A milk-maids courtefye at every word;
And downe the folkes were fet to the board
Where the king royally, in princelye majeftye,
Sate at his dinner with joy and delight
80
When they had eaten well, then hee tojefting fell,
And in a bowle of wine dranke to the knight
Here's to you both, in wine, ale and beer
Thanking you heartilye for my good cheer.
Quoth fir John Cockle, I'll pledge you a pottle, 85
Were it the belt ale in Nottinghammire
But then faid our king, now I think of a thing
Some of your lightfoote I would we had here.
Ho ! ho ! quoth Richard, full well I may fay it,
Tis knavery to eate it, and then to betray it. 90
Why art thou angry ? quoth our king merrilye;
In faith, I take it now very unkind :
I thought thou wouldft pledge me in ale and wine heartily.
; :
:
; ;
Quoth Dicke, You are like to ftay till I have din'd :
You feed us with twatling dimes foe fmall; ge
Zounds, a blacke-pudding is better than all.
Aye,