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

A N D B A L L A D S. ig 9
Aye, marry, quoth our king, that were a daintye thing,
Could a man get but one here for to eate. [hofe,
With that Dicke ftraite arofe, and pluckt one from his
Which with heat of his breech gan to fvveate. 100
The king made a proffer to fnatch it away : —
'Tis meat for your mailer : good fir, you muft ftay«
Thus in great merriment was the time wholly fpent;
And then the ladyes prepared to dance :
Old Sir John Cockle, and Richard, incontinent 105
Unto their paces the king did advance
Here with the ladyes fuch fport they did make,
The nobles with laughing did make their fides ake.
Many thankes for their paines did the king give them,
Afking young Richard then, if he would wed ;
Among thefe ladyes free, teli me which liketh thee?
Quoth he, Jugg
:
no
Grumball, Sir, with the red head :
She's my love, fhe's my life, her will I wed ; .
She hath fworn I fhall have her maidenhead.
Then fir John Cockle the king calPd unto him, 115
And of merry Sherwood made him o'er-feer
And gave him out of hand three hundred pound yearlye .
Now take heede you fteale no more of my deer:
And once a quarter let's here have your view;
And now, fir John Cockle, I bid you adieu. 120
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XXI. THE