But when they came unto the place,
Where marriage-rites were done,
She proved herself a dukes daughter,
And he but a squires sonne.

Now marrye me, or not, sir knight,
Your pleasure shall be free:

If

you

90

make me ladye of one good towne, Ile make you lord of three.

95

Ah! cursed bee the gold, he sayd,

If thou hadst not been tréwe,

I shold have forsaken my sweet love,
And have changed her for a newe.

100

And now their hearts being linked fast,
They joyned hand in hande :

Thus he had both purse, and person too,
And all at his commande.

*

XIV.

THE SHEPHERD'S ADDRESS TO HIS MUSE.

This Poem, originally printed from the small MS volume mentioned above in No. X. has been improved by a more perfect copy in "England's Helicon," where the author is 'discovered to be N. BRETON.

GOOD Muse, rocke me aslepe

With some swcete harmony:
This wearie eyes is not to kepe
Thy wary company.

Sweete Love, begon a while,
Thou seest my heavines :
Beautie is borne but to beguyle
My harte of happines.

See howe my little flocke,

That lovde to feede on highe,

Doe headlonge tumble downe the rocke,
And in the valley dye.

10

The blacke birde and the thrushe,
That made the woodes to ringe,
With all the rest, are now at hushe,
And not a note they singe.

Swete Philomele, the birde

That hath the heavenly throte,

Doth nowe, alas! not once afforde
Recordinge of a note.

20

XV.

፡፡

LORD THOMAS AND FAIR ELLINOR,

is given (with corrections) from an ancient copy in black letter, in the Pepys collection, intitled, "A tragical ballad on the unfortunate love of lord Thomas and fair Ellinor, together with the downfall of "the browne girl."-In the same collection may be seen an attempt to modernize this old song, and reduce it to a different measure: a proof of its popularity.

LORD Thomas he was a bold forrester,

And a chaser of the kings deere ;
Faire Ellinor was a fine woman,

And lord Thomas he loved her deare.

Come riddle my riddle, dear mother, he sayu,

And riddle us both as one;

Whether I shall marrye with faire Ellinòr,

And let the browne girl alone?

The browne girl she has got houses and lands,

Faire Ellinor she has got none,

And therefore I charge thee on my blessing,

To bring me the browne girl home.

5

10

And

And as it befelle on a high holidaye,

As many there are beside,

Lord Thomas he went to faire Ellinòr,

15

That should have been his bride.

And when he came to faire Ellinors bower,

He knocked there at the ring,

And who was so readye as faire Ellinor,

To lett lord Thomas withinn.

20

What newes, what newes, lord Thomas, she sayd?

What newes dost thou bring to mee?

I am come to bid thee to my wedding,
And that is bad newes for thee.

O God forbid, lord Thomas, she sayd,
That such a thing should be done;

I thought to have been the bride my selfe,
And thou to have been the bridegrome.

Come riddle my riddle, dear mother, she sayd,
And riddle it all in one;

25

30

Whether I shall goe to lord Thomas his wedding,
Or whether shall tarry at home?

There are manye that are your friendes, daughtèr,

And manye a one your foe,

Therefore I charge you on my blessing,

To lord Thomas his wedding don't goe.

35

Ver. 29. It should probably be, Reade me, read, &c. i. e. Advise me, advise.

There