THE KING 
 
 AND 
 
 A POOR NORTHERN MAN 
 
 OR, 
 
 TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE. 
 
 dfrom t!)e CESttion of 1640. 
 
 ATTRIBUTED TO MARTIN PARKER. 
 
 LONDON ; 
 
 REPRINTED FOR THE PERCY SOCIETY, 
 
 BY C. RICHARDS, ST. MARTIN’S LANE. 
 
 MDCCCXLl. 
 
COUNCIL 
 
 OF 
 
 J. A. CAHUSAC, Esq. F.S.A. 
 
 WILLIAM CHAPPELL, Esq. F.S.A. 
 
 JOHN PAYNE COLLIER, Esq. F.S.A. 
 
 T. CROFTON CROKER, Esq. F.S.A. 
 
 REV. ALEXANDER DYCE. 
 
 RICHARD HALLIWELL, Esq. F.S.A. 
 
 JAMES ORCHARD HALLIWELL, Esq. F.R.S. Treasurer, 
 WILLIAM JERDAN, Esq. F.S.A. 
 
 SAMUEL LOVER, Esq. 
 
 CHARLES MACKAY, Esq. 
 
 E. F. RIMBAULT, Esq. Secretary. 
 
 THOMAS WRIGHT, Esq. M.A. F.S.A. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 Although somewhat modernized in the following- 
 copy, there is little doubt that the humorous 
 story of ‘‘ The King and the poor Northern Man” 
 is much older than 1640. It reads in particular 
 places like a narrative of considerable antiquity ; 
 but when it was printed by Tho. Cotes,” whose 
 name appears at the bottom of the title-page of 
 the black-letter edition which we have employed, 
 it was intended that the reader should suppose 
 the tale a new one, and that it was the author- 
 ship of Martin Parker, the celebrated and popular 
 ballad-maker : his well-known initials are placed 
 quite at the end, after the word but 
 
 possibly he was not concerned in the imposition, 
 which might be concocted by Francis Grove, the 
 bookseller. No older edition is extant than that 
 we have reprinted, and as far as yet appears it is 
 the only remaining copy of it. We find it men- 
 tioned in no bibliographical work, nor have we 
 been able to trace it in any catalogue. 
 
VI 
 
 Besides the internal evidence, there is external 
 proof of the antiquity of the story, and even of 
 the title of the piece. In Henslowe’s Diary, 
 under the date of 1601, we meet with two entries, 
 the first of which runs thus : 
 
 ‘‘ Lent at the apoyntment of the company, and 
 my sonne, unto Hary Ohettell, in earnest of a 
 playe called To good to be trewe or Northern 
 Man, the some of 5s : the 14 of novmbr. 1601.” 
 The second is as follows : 
 
 “ Pd. at the apoyntment of Robart Shawe, and 
 Thomas Towne, unto Mr. Hathwaye and Mr. 
 Smythe, in part of payment of a boocke called 
 To goode to be trewe, the 6 of Janewary 1601, 
 the some of 1®.” 
 
 Hence we see that as early as 1601 a play had 
 been written by Henry Ohettle, Richard Hathe- 
 waye and Wentworth Smith, called Too good 
 to be true, or the Northern Man,” though the 
 second title is omitted in Henslowe’s latest entry. 
 This play was, no doubt, founded upon the popu- 
 larity of the subsequent story; the incidents of 
 which are highly laughable, and would have af- 
 forded much scope to the rustic comicalities of 
 such actors as Pope, Singer, or Kempe. 
 
 That the story was known of old by the name 
 of Too good to be true” we are not without 
 proof. The same incidents were employed in a 
 
Vll 
 
 broadside in verse under the title of The King 
 and Northern Man,’’ printed “ by W.O., and to be 
 sold by the Booksellers in Pye Corner and Lon- 
 don Bridge,” a copy of which is in the British 
 Museum. The wording of the body of the ballad 
 does not differ very materially from our version 
 of 1640, but it varies at the beginning and end. 
 The writer professes in the outset to have bor- 
 rowed from a work already in print, for the broad- 
 side thus opens : 
 
 “To drive away the weary day 
 A book I chanc’d to take in hand, 
 
 And therein I read assuredly 
 A story, as you shall understand. 
 
 “ Perusing many a history over, 
 
 Amongst the leaves I chanc’d to view 
 The books name, and the title is this, 
 
 The Second Lesson, too good to he true.^^ 
 
 Thus we have both the titles of the play men- 
 tioned by Henslowe in his first memorandum. The 
 book which the writer of the broadside employed 
 must have been a now lost collection of popular 
 histories, divided into what were called ^‘Lessons,” 
 the second lesson” being the tale of The King 
 and a poor Northern Man,” or Too good to 
 be true.” This was probably the same as the 
 story used by Ohettle, Hathwaye, and Smith 
 for the foundation of their play, which story was 
 
vm 
 
 furbished up in 1 640, and printed in a separate 
 duodecimo pamphlet. It is this pamphlet that 
 we have now accurately reprinted, with the omis- 
 sion only of some coarse and uncouth wood-cuts, 
 at the time intended to be attractive. 
 
 Many of our readers will be aware that the 
 same circumstance of a visit to the King by one 
 of his country tenants, though much abridged, 
 forms the subject of a comic song, which has kept 
 its place in various modern collections. 
 
THE KING AND 
 
 A POORE NORTHERNE MAN. 
 
 SHEWING HOW A POORE NORTHUMBERLAND MAN, 
 A TENANT TO THE KING, BEING WRONGED BY 
 A LAWYER (his NEIGHBOUR), WENT TO 
 THE KING HIMSELF TO MAKE KNOWNE 
 HIS GRIEVANCES. FULL OF SIMPLE 
 MIRTH AND MERRY 
 PLAINE JESTS. 
 
 Printed at London by Tho, Cotes, and are to be sold 
 by Francis Grove, dwelling upon Snow hill. 
 1640. 
 
THE 
 
 KING AND A POORE NORTHERNE MAN. 
 
 Come hearken to me all around, 
 and I will tell you a merry tale 
 Of a Northumberland man that held some ground, 
 which was the Kings land in a dale. 
 
 He was borne and bred thereupon, 
 
 and his father had dwelt there long before, 
 
 Who kept a good house in that country, 
 and stay’d the wolfe from off his doore. 
 
 Now, for this farme the good old man 
 just twenty shillings a yeare did pay : 
 
 At length came cruell death with his dart, 
 and this old farmer he soone did slay : 
 
 Who left behinde him an aude wife then, 
 that troubled was with mickle paine. 
 
 And with her cruches she walkt about, 
 for she was likewise blinde and lame. 
 
 When that his corpes were laid in the grave 
 his eldest sonne possesse did the farme, 
 
 At the same rent as the father before : 
 
 he took great paines and thought no harme. 
 
 B 2 
 
4 
 
 THE KING AND 
 
 By him there dwelt a Lawyer false, 
 that with his farme was not content, 
 
 But over the poore man still hang d his nose, 
 because he did gather the King’s rent. 
 
 This farme layd by the Lawyer s land, 
 which this vild kerne had a mind unto : 
 
 The deele a good conscience had he in his bulke, 
 that sought this poore man for to undoe. 
 
 He told him he his lease had forfite, 
 
 and that he must there no longer abide : 
 
 The King by such lownes hath mickle wrong done, 
 and for you the world is broad and wdde. 
 
 The poore man pray’d him for to cease, 
 
 and content himselfe, if he would be willing ; 
 
 And picke no vantage in my lease, 
 and I will give thee forty shilling. 
 
 Its neither forty shillings, no forty pound, 
 
 Ise warrant thee, so can agree thee and me, 
 
 Unlesse thou yeeld me thy farme so round, 
 and stand unto my curtesie. 
 
 The poore man said he might not do sa : 
 
 his wife and his bearnes will make him ill warke. 
 
 If thou wilt with my farme let me ga, 
 
 thou seemes a good fellow, Ise give thee five marke. 
 
A POORE NORTHERNE MAN. 
 
 5 
 
 The Lawyer would not be so content, 
 
 but further in the matter he means to smell. 
 
 The neighbours bad the poor man provide his rent, 
 and make a submission to the King him sell. 
 
 This poore man now was in a great stond, 
 his senses they were almost wood : 
 
 I thinke, if he had not tooke grace in 's mind 
 that he would never againe beene good. 
 
 His head was troubled in such a bad plight, 
 as though his eyes were apple gray; 
 
 And if good learning he had not tooke 
 he wod a cast himselfe away. 
 
 A doughty heart he then did take, 
 and of his mother did blessing crave, 
 
 Taking farewell of his wife and bearnes ; 
 it earned his heart them thus to leave. 
 
 Thus parting with the teares in his eyne, 
 his bob-taild dog he out did call : 
 
 Thou salt gang with me to the King ; 
 and so he tooke his leave of them all. 
 
 He had a humble staffe on his backe, 
 a jerkin, I wat, that was of gray. 
 
 With a good blue bonnet, he thought it no lacke : 
 to the king he is ganging as fast as he may. 
 
6 
 
 THE KING AND 
 
 He had not gone a mile out o’ th’ toone, 
 but one of his neighbours he did espy : 
 
 How far ist to th’ King ? for thither am I boone, 
 as fast as ever I can hye. 
 
 I am sorry for you, neighbour, he sayd, 
 for your simplicity I make mone : 
 
 Ise warrant you, you may ask for the King, 
 when nine or ten dayes journey you have gone. 
 
 Had I wist the King wond so farre 
 
 Ise neere a sought him a mile out ohh’ toone : 
 
 Hes either a sought me, or wee’d neere a come nare 
 at home I had rather spent a crowne. 
 
 Thus past he alang many a weary mile, 
 in raine, and wet, and in foule mire. 
 
 That ere he came to lig in his bed 
 his dog and he full ill did tire. 
 
 Hard they did fare their charges to save, 
 
 but alas hungry stomackes outcrie for meate. 
 
 And many a sup of cold water they dranke, 
 when in the lang way they had nought to eate. 
 
 Full lile we know his hard griefe of mind, 
 and how he did long London to ken ; 
 
 And yet he thought he should finde it at last, 
 because he met so many men. 
 
A POORE NORTHERNE MAN. 
 
 7 
 
 At length the top of kirkes he spide, 
 and houses so thicke that he was agast : 
 
 I thinke, quoth he, their land is full deere, 
 for ther s nought that here lies wast. 
 
 But when he came into the city of London, 
 of every man for the King he did call. 
 
 They told him that him he neede not feare, 
 lor the King he lies now at Whitehall. 
 
 For Whitehall he then made inquire, 
 but as he passed strange geere he saw : 
 
 The bulkes with such gue gawes were dressed, 
 that his mind a tone side it did draw. 
 
 Gud God, unto himselfe he did say, 
 what a deele a place I am come unto I 
 
 Had a man, I thinke, a thousne pounds in’s purse, 
 himselfe he might quickly here undoe. 
 
 At night then a lodging him a got, 
 and for his supper he then did pay : 
 
 He told the host then heed goe lig in his bed, 
 
 who straight took a candle and shewd him the way. 
 
 Then with spying of farlies in the citie, 
 because he had never been there beforne. 
 
 He lee so long a bed the next day, 
 
 the Court was remov’d to Windsor that morne. 
 
8 
 
 THE KING AND 
 
 You ha laine too long then, then said his host, 
 you ha laine too long by a great while ; 
 
 The king is now to Windsor gone ; 
 he’s further to seeke by twenty mile. 
 
 I thinke I was corst, then said the poore man ; 
 if I had been wise I might ha consider. 
 
 Belike the King of me has gotten some weet : 
 he had neere gone away had not I come hither. 
 
 He fled not for you, said the hoste ; 
 
 but hie you to Windsor as fast as you may ; 
 
 Be sure it will requite your cost, 
 
 for looke, what’s past the king will pay. 
 
 But when he came at Windsor Castle, 
 with his bumble staff upon his backe. 
 
 Although the gates wide open stood 
 
 he layd on them till he made um cracke. 
 
 Why, stay I pray friend, art mad ? quoth the Porter ; 
 what makes thee keepe this stirre to day ? 
 
 Why, I am a tenant of the Kings, 
 and have a message to him to say. 
 
 The King has men enough, said the Porter, 
 your message well that they can say. 
 
 Why, there’s neere a knave the King doth keepe 
 shall ken my secret mind to day. 
 
A POORE NORTHERNE MAN. 
 
 9 
 
 I were told, ere I came from home, 
 
 ere I got hither it would be dear bought : 
 
 Let me in, Ise give thee a good single penny. 
 
 I see thou wilt ha small, ere thou’t doe for nought. 
 
 Gramercy, said the Porter then ; 
 
 thy reward s so great I cannot say nay. 
 
 Yonder’s a Nobleman within the court. 
 
 He first heare what he will say. 
 
 When the Porter came to the Nobleman, 
 he sayd he would shew him a pretty sport : 
 
 There’s sike a clowne come to the gate, 
 as came not this seven yeares to the Court, 
 
 He cals all knaves the King doth keepe ; 
 he raps at the gates and makes great din ; 
 
 He’s passing liberall of reward ; 
 
 heed give a good single penny to be let in. 
 
 Let him in, sayd the Nobleman. 
 
 Come in, fellow, the Porter gan say : 
 
 If thou come within thy selfe, he sayde, 
 thy stafFe behind the gate must stay. 
 
 And this cuckolds curre must lig behind : 
 what a deele, what a cut hast got with thee I 
 
 The King will take him up for his owne sel, 
 
 Ise warrant, when as he him doth see. 
 
10 
 
 THE KING AND 
 
 Beshrew thy limbes, then said the poore man ; 
 then mayst thou count me foole, or worse. 
 
 I wat not what banckrout lies by the King ; 
 for want of money he may picke my purse. 
 
 That’s to be fear’d, the Porter said ; 
 
 Ise wish you goe in well arm’d ; 
 
 For the King he hath got mickle company, 
 
 and among them all, you may soone be harm’d. 
 
 Let him in with his staffe and his dog, said the Lord, 
 and with that he gave a nod with’s head, and beck 
 with’s knee. 
 
 If you be Sir King, then said the poore man, 
 as I can very well thinke you be; 
 
 For I was told ere I came from home, 
 
 you’re the goodliest man ere I saw beforne ; 
 
 With so many jingle jangles about ones necke, 
 as is about yours, I never saw none. 
 
 I am not the King, said the Nobleman, 
 fellow, although I have a proud coat. 
 
 If you be not the King, helpe me to the speech of him, 
 you seeme a good fellow, Ise gi you a groat. 
 
 Gramercy, said the Nobleman ; 
 
 the rewards so great, I cannot say nay. 
 
 He go know the Kings pleasure, if I can ; 
 till I come againe be sure thou stay. 
 
A POORE NORTHERNE MAN. 
 
 11 
 
 Heres sike a staying, then said the poore man ; 
 belike the Kings better than any in our countrey. 
 
 I might be gone to th’ farthest nuke i’th’ house, 
 neither lad nor lowne to trouble me. 
 
 When the Nobleman came to the King, 
 
 he said he would shew his Grace good sport : 
 
 Heres such a clowne come to the gate, 
 as came not this seven yeares to the Court. 
 
 He cals all knaves your Highnesse keepes, 
 and more than that, he termes them worse. 
 
 Heele not come in without his stafFe and his dogge, 
 for fear some bankrout will picke his purse. 
 
 Let him in with his staffe and his dog, said our King, 
 that of his sport we may see some. 
 
 Weele see how heele handle everything, 
 as soone as the match of bowles is done. 
 
 The Nobleman led him through many a roome, 
 and through many a gallery gay. 
 
 What a deele doth the king with so many toome houses, 
 that he gets um not fild with come and hay ? 
 
 What gares these babies and babies all ? 
 
 some ill have they done that they hang by the walls ? 
 
 And staring aloft at the golden roofe toppe, 
 at a step he did stumble, and downe he falles. 
 
12 
 
 THE KING AND 
 
 Stand up, good fellow, the Nobleman sayd ; 
 what, art thou drunke or blind, I trow ? 
 
 Ise neither am blinde nor drunke, he sed, 
 although, in my sowle, you oft are so. 
 
 It is a disease, said the Lord again e, 
 
 that many a good man is troubled withall. 
 
 Quoth the Country man then, yet I made your proud 
 stones 
 
 to kisse my backeside, though they gave me a fall. 
 
 At last they spide the King in an ally, 
 yet from his game he did not start. 
 
 The day was so hot, he cast off his doublet ; 
 he had nothing from the wast up but his shirt. 
 
 Loe, yonder’s the King, said the Noble man : 
 behold, fellow ; loe, where he goes. 
 
 Beleevet hee’s some unthrift, sayes the poore man, 
 that has lost his money and pawnd his cloathes. 
 
 How hapt he hath gat neere a coate to his backe ? 
 this bowling I like not; it hath him undone. 
 
 Ise warrant that fellow in those gay cloathes, 
 he hath his coyne and his doublet won. 
 
 But when he came before the King, 
 the Nobleman did his curtesie : 
 
 The poore man followed after him, 
 
 and gave a nod with his head and a becke with his knee. 
 
A POORE NORTHERNE MAN. 
 
 13 
 
 If you be Sir King, then said the poore man, 
 as I can hardly thinke you be ; 
 
 Here is a gude fellow that brought me hither, 
 is liker to be the King than ye. 
 
 I am the King, his Grace now sayd ; 
 
 Fellow, let me thy cause understand. 
 
 If you be Sir King, Ime a tennant of yours, 
 
 that was borne and up brought within your owne 
 lande. 
 
 There dwels a Lawyer hard by me, 
 
 and a fault in my lease he sayes he hath found ; 
 
 And all was for felling five poor ashes, 
 to build a house upon my owne ground. 
 
 Hast thou a lease here ? said the King, 
 or canst thou shew to me the deed ? 
 
 He put it into the Kings owne hand, 
 
 and said. Sir, tis here, if that you can read. 
 
 Why, what if I cannot P said our King ; 
 that which I cannot, another may. 
 
 I have a boy of mine owne, not seven yeares old, 
 a will read you as swift as yould run i’th’ highway. 
 
 Lets see thy lease, then said our King : 
 then from his blacke boxe he puld it out. 
 
 He gave it into the Kings owne hand, 
 
 with foure or five knots ty’d fast in a clout. 
 
14 
 
 THE KING AND 
 
 Wast Deere unloose these knots ? said the King : 
 he gave it to one that behind him did stay. 
 
 It is a proud horse, then said the poore man, 
 
 will not carries owne provinder along the highway. 
 
 Pay me forty shillings, as Ise pay you, 
 
 I will not thinke much to unloose a knot : 
 
 I would I were so occupied every day. 
 
 Ide unloose a score on um for a groat. 
 
 When the King had gotten these letters to read, 
 and found the truth was very so : 
 
 I warrant thee, thou hast not forfeit thy lease, 
 if that thou hadst feld five ashes moe. 
 
 I, every one can warrant me, 
 
 but all your warrants are not worth a flea ; 
 
 For he that troubles me and will not let me goe, 
 neither cares for warrant of you nor me. 
 
 The Lawyer he is sike a crafty elfe : 
 
 a will make a foole of twenty such as me ; 
 
 And if that I said gang hang my sel, 
 
 Ise trow, he and I sud neere agree. 
 
 For he’s too wise for all our towne, 
 
 and yet we ha got crafty knaves beside. 
 
 Heele undoe me and my wife and bearnes ; 
 alas, that ever I saw this tide I 
 
A POORE NORTHERNE MAN. 
 
 1 
 
 Thoust have an injunction, said our King ; 
 from troubling of thee he will cease : 
 
 Heele either shew thee a good cause why, 
 or else heele let thee live in peace. 
 
 What’s that injunction ? said the poore man, 
 good Sir, to me I pray you say. 
 
 W hy, it is a letter He cause to be written : 
 
 but art thou as simple as thou shewest for to day ? 
 
 Why, ift be a letter, Ime neere the better : 
 keep’t to yourselfe and trouble not me. 
 
 I could a had a letter cheaper written at home, 
 and neere a come out of mine owne countrey. 
 
 Thoust have an attachment, said our King : 
 charge all thou seest to take thy part. 
 
 Till he pay thee an hundred pound, 
 be sure thou never let him start. 
 
 A, wais me I the poore man saide then ; 
 you ken no whit what you now do say. 
 
 A won undoe me a thousand times, 
 
 ere he such a mickle of money will pay. 
 
 And more than this, there’s no man at all 
 that dares anongst him for to lift a hand ; 
 
 For he has got so much guile in his budget, 
 that he will make all forfeit their land. 
 
16 
 
 THE KING AND 
 
 If any seeme against thee to stand, 
 be sure thou come hither straight way. 
 
 A, marry, is that all Ise get for my labour ? 
 then I may come trotting every day. 
 
 Thou art hard a beleefe, then said our King : 
 to please him with letters he was right willing. 
 
 I see you have taken great paines in writing, 
 with all my heart He give you a shilling. 
 
 He have none of thy shilling, said our King ; 
 man, with thy money God give thee win. 
 
 He threw it into the Kings bosome ; 
 the money lay cold next to his skin. 
 
 Beshrew thy heart, then said our King ; 
 thou art a carle something too bold : 
 
 Dost thou not see I am hot with bowling ? 
 the money next to my skin lies cold. 
 
 I neere wist that before, said the poore man, 
 before sike time as I came hither. 
 
 If the Lawyers in our country thought twas cold, 
 they would not heape up so much together. 
 
 The King call’d up his Treasurer, 
 
 and bad him fetch him twenty pound. 
 
 If ever thy errant lye here away, 
 
 He beare thy charges up and downe. 
 
A POORE NORTHERNE MAN. 
 
 17 
 
 When the poore man saw the gold tendred, 
 for to receive it he was willing. 
 
 If I had thought the King had so mickle gold, 
 beshrew my heart, Ide a kept my shilling. 
 
 Now, farewell, good fellow, quoth the King : 
 see that my command you well doe keepe ; 
 
 And when that the Lawyer you have in your hands, 
 looke that he doe pay you before he doe sleepe. 
 
 Gods benison light on your soule, then he sayd, 
 and send you and yours where ever you gang : 
 
 If that I doe ever meete with your fewd foes, 
 
 Ise sweare by this staffe that their hide I won bang. 
 
 And farewell, brave lads now, unto you all : 
 
 I wod all may win and neane of you leese. 
 
 Haude ; take this same tester among you awe : 
 
 I ken that you Courtiers doe all looke for fees. 
 
 Thus with a low courtsie of them he tooke leave, 
 thinking from the Court to take his way ; 
 
 But some of the gentlemen then of the Kings 
 would needs invite him at dinner to stay. 
 
 A little entreaty did soone serve his turne : 
 a thought himsel as good a man as them all. 
 
 But where (quoth he) sail I have this same feast? 
 then straightway they ushered him into the hall. 
 
 c 
 
18 
 
 THE KING AND 
 
 Such store of cheare on the board there was plast, 
 that made the countryman much for to muse. 
 
 Quoth he, I doe think you are all craftie knaves, 
 that such a service you will not refuse. 
 
 I nere saw such a flipper de flapper before ; 
 
 here’s keele I doe think is made of a whetstone. 
 
 Heer’s dousets and flappjacks, and I ken not what ; 
 
 I thinke, in the worlde such feasts there is none. 
 
 When he had well din’d and had filled his panch, 
 then to the winecellar they had him straight way. 
 
 Where they with brave claret and brave old Canary, 
 they with a foxe tale him soundly did pay. 
 
 So hard they did ply him with these strong wines, 
 that he did wrong the long seames of his hose. 
 
 That two men were faine to leade him up stayres ; 
 so, making indentures, away then he goes. 
 
 The poore man got home next Sunday : 
 the Lawyer soone did him espy. 
 
 Oh, Sir, you have been a stranger long, 
 
 I thinke from me you have kept you by. 
 
 It was for you indeed, said the poore man, 
 the matter to the King as I have tell. 
 
 I did as neighbours put it in my head, 
 
 and made a submission to the King my sel. 
 
A POORE NORTHERNE MAN. 
 
 19 
 
 W hat a deel didst thou with the King ? said the Lawyer: 
 could not neighbours and friends agree thee and me ? 
 
 The deel a neighbour or friend that I had, 
 that would a bin sike a daies man as he. 
 
 He has gin me a letter, but I know not what they caFt ; 
 but if the King’s words be frue to me, 
 
 When you have read and perused it over, 
 
 T hope you will leave, and let me be. 
 
 He has gin me another, but I know not what ’tis ; 
 but I charge you all to hold him fast. 
 
 Pray you that are learned this letter reade ; 
 which presently made them all agast. 
 
 Then they did reade this letter plaine, 
 
 the Lawyer must pay him a hundred pound. 
 
 You see the King’s letter, the poore man did say, 
 and unto a post he sal straight way be bound. 
 
 Then unto a post they tide him fast, 
 and all men did rate him in cruell sort ; 
 
 The lads, and the lasses, and all the towne 
 at him had great glee, pastime and sport. 
 
 He pay it. He pay it, the Lawyer said : 
 
 the attachment, I say, it is good and faire ; 
 
 Y'ou must needes something credit me, 
 till I goe home and fetch some meare. 
 
20 
 
 THE KING, ETC. 
 
 Credit ! nay, thats it the King forbad : 
 he bad, if I got thee, I should thee stay. 
 
 The Lawyer payd him an hundred pound 
 in ready money, ere he went away. 
 
 Would every Lawyer were served thus ! 
 
 from troubling poore men they would cease : 
 
 They’d either show them a good cause why, 
 or else they’d let them live in peace. 
 
 And thus I end my merry tale, 
 
 which shewes the plain mans simplenesse. 
 
 And the Kings great mercy in righting his wrongs, 
 and the Lawyers fraud and wickednesse. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
 M. P. 
 
 C. RICHARDS, PRINTER, ST. MARTIN’S LANE. 
 
Ef)c 
 
 FOR THE 
 
 PUBLICATION OF ANCIENT BALLADS, SONGS, 
 PLAYS, MINOR PIECES OF POETRY, 
 
 AND POPULAR LITERATURE. 
 
 etounnl, 1840-1. 
 
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 Bankers : Messrs. Cocks, Biddulph, and Biddulph, 43, 
 Charing Cross. 
 
itabjs! of tf)t ^ercp ^onetp. 
 
 1 . That the Society be called “ The Percy Society.” 
 
 2. That the Publications of the Society shall consist of 
 Ancient Ballads^ Songs, Plays, minor pieces of Poetry, and 
 Popular Literature, or works illustrative of the above-mentioned 
 subjects. 
 
 3. The Society shall consist of Members being Subscribers 
 of One Pound annually, such Subscription to be paid in 
 advance, on or before the day of Genei’al Meeting in each year. 
 The General Meeting to be held on the 1st of May, in every 
 year, unless it should fall on a Sunday, when some other day 
 is to be named by the Council. 
 
 4. That the affairs of the Society be conducted by a Council 
 consisting of twelve Members, including a Treasurer and Secre- 
 tary, all of whom shall be elected at the Annual General 
 Meeting of the Society. 
 
 5. That any Member may compound for his future Sub- 
 scriptions by the payment of Ten Pounds over and above his 
 Subscription for the current year. 
 
 6. That the Accompts of the Receipts and Expenditure of 
 the Society be audited annually by three Auditors, to be elected 
 at the General Meeting; and that any Member who shall be 
 one year in arrear of his subscription, shall no longer be con- 
 sidered as belonging to the Society. 
 
 7. That every Member, not in arrear of his Annual Sub- 
 scription, be entitled to a copy of each of the works published 
 by the Society. 
 
OTorfesf alreatfp JPrmtetr. 
 
 1. A Collection of Old Ballads anterior to the reign of Charles T, 
 hy John Skelton, Stephen Peel, Churchyard, Tarlton, Eldercon, 
 Deloney, <Scc. &c. Edited by J. Payne Collier, Esq. F.S.A. 
 
 2. “ A search for Money ; or the lamentable Complaint for the 
 
 losse of the wandring Knight Mounsieur TArgent ; or Come along 
 with me, I know thou lovest Money, &c. By William Rowley. 
 Imprinted at London for Joseph Hunt, &c. 1609.” Reprinted 
 
 from the only extant copy. 
 
 OTlorfe^ m 
 
 3. “ The Payne and Sorowe of evyll Maryage.” From a copy 
 believed to be unique, printed by Wynkyn de Worde; with an 
 Introduction regarding other works of the same class, and from the 
 same press. 
 
 4. A Selection from the Miscellaneous Poems of John Lydgate. 
 To be edited by James Orchard Halliwell, Esq. F.R.S. and English 
 Correspondent of the Royal Historical Commission of France. 
 
 5. Songs of the London Prentices and Trades, during the Reigns 
 of Henry VII, Henry VIII, Elizabeth, and James I. To be edited 
 by Charles Mackay, Esq. 
 
 OTorfesi for 30 tiblicatton. 
 
 6. “ The King and a Poore Northerne Man. Shewing how a 
 poore Northumberland man, &c. went to the King himself to make 
 known his grievances. Full of simple mirth and merry j)laine 
 jests.” By Martin Parker. Printed at London by Tho. Coates, 
 1640. 
 
 7. The Revolution of 1688, illustrated by the popular Ballads of 
 the period. To be edited, with Introductions and Notes, by T. 
 Crofton Croker, Esq. F.S.A. M.R.I.A. 
 
 8. A Selection of Stories, Anecdotes, and Jokes, from various 
 Jest Books printed prior to the end of the reign of Charles I; with 
 an account of the origin of many of them, and of the manner in 
 which they are to be traced through several European languages. 
 
4 
 
 9. The Batcheler’s Banquet, or a Banquet for Batchelors. 
 
 Wherein is prepared sundry dainty dishes, &c. Pleasantly dis- 
 coursing the variable humours of Women, &c. By Thomas Dekker. 
 London. Printed by T. C. &c. 1603. 
 
 10. Latin Stories written in England during the 13th and 14th 
 Centuries, illustrative of the History of Fiction. Edited from the 
 original MSS. with translations by Thomas Wright, Esq. M.A. 
 F.S.A. 
 
 11. A Collection of Lyrical Pieces contained in Old Plays of a 
 date prior to the suppression of Theatrical Representations in 1647. 
 To be edited by Edward F. Rimbault, Esq. 
 
 12. “ A Treatise shewing and declaring the Pryde and Abuse of 
 Women now a dayes.” By Charles Bansley. From a copy printed 
 by Thomas Raynoldes, in the reign of Edward VI. 
 
 13. A Collection of Jacobite Ballads and Fragments, many of 
 them hitherto unpublished. To be edited by William Jerdan, Esq. 
 F.S.A., M.R.S.L. 
 
 14. “ Strange Histories or Songes and Sonets of Kings, Princes, 
 
 Dukes, Lordes, Ladyes, Knights, and Gentlemen. Very pleasant 
 either to be read or songe,” &c. By Thomas Deloney. Imprinted 
 at London for W. Barley, &c. 1607. 
 
 15. The French Invasions of Ireland, illustrated by popular 
 Songs, in three Parts, with an Introduction. To be edited by 
 T. Crofton Croker, Esq. F.S.A. M.R.I.A. 
 
 16. “ A Marriage Triumphe. Solemnized in an Epithalamium 
 
 in memorie of the happie Nuptials betwixt the Count Palatine and 
 the Lady Elizabeth. Written by Thomas Hey wood. London, 
 
 Printed for Edward Marchant, &c. 1613.” With an introduction, 
 giving an account of other poems by different authors on the same 
 event. 
 
 17. A Collection of Christmas Carols, from the 12th to the 15th 
 Century. To be edited by Thomas Wright, Esq. M.A., F.S.A. 
 
 18. “ The merry Pranks of Robin Good-fellow. Very pleasant 
 and witty.” A Poem reprinted from the only known copy, published 
 in the commencement of the 17th Century. 
 
 1 9. “ The Pleasant History of the two angry Women of Abington. 
 With the humorous mirth of Dicke Coomes and Nicholas Proverbs, 
 two Servingmen. As it was lately playde by the Lord High Ad- 
 mirall his servants.” Written by Henry Porter. 1599. The first 
 of a series of old plays, to be edited by the Rev. A. Dyce. 
 
5 
 
 20. A Collection of Old English Ballads, from the Reign of 
 Henry VI to that of Edward VI. To be edited by William 
 Chappell, Esq. F.S.A. 
 
 21. The Poetical Works of James I of Scotland, with a Pre- 
 liminary Dissertation. To be edited by Charles Mackay, Esq. 
 
 22. The Pleasant and sweet History of Patient Grissell. Shewing 
 how she, from a poore man’s Daughter, came to be a great Lady in 
 France, being a patterne to all vertuous Women, &c. London, 
 printed by E. P. for John Wright, &c. No date. In prose and 
 verse. 
 
 23. Political Songs of the age of Cromwell, collected and edited 
 by Thomas Wright, Esq. M.A. F.S.A. 
 
 24. “ A most pleasant and merie new Comedie, intituled a Knack 
 to knowe a Knave. Newlie set foorth, as it hath sundrie tymes bene 
 played by Ed. Allen and his companie. With Kemp’s applauded 
 Merrimentes of the Men of Goteham in receiving the King into 
 Goteham, 1594.” 
 
 25. “ Kind-Harts Dream. Conteining five Apparitions, with their 
 Invectives against abuses raigning. Delivered by severall Ghosts 
 unto him to be publisht, after Piers Penilesse Post had refused the 
 carriage.” Printed without date in 1592. 
 
 26. A Collection of early Ballads relating to Naval Affairs. To 
 be edited|by James Orchard Halliwell, Esq. F.R.S. 
 
 27. “ Vinegar and Mustard, or Worm-wood liCCtures for every 
 Day in the Week. Being exercised and delivered in several 
 Parishes both of Town and City, on several dayes, &c. Taken 
 verbatim in short writing by J. W.” Reprinted from the edition of 
 1673. 
 
 28. “ Pleasant Quippes for Upstart newfangled Gentlewomen, 
 1 596.” A satirical and humorous production in verse by Stephen 
 Gosson, printed from a copy presented by the author to a contem- 
 porary. 
 
 29. Songs and Poems by known and unknown Authors, to be 
 found in Musical Miscellanies published during the reigns of 
 Elizabeth and James I. 
 
iHfltmfterS’ ^SarneiS. 
 
 Advocates’ Library, Edinburgh 
 Amyot, T. Esq. F.R.S. Treas. S.A. 
 Aungier, G. J. Esq. 
 
 Ayrton, W. Esq. F.R.S. F.S.A. 
 
 Barnwell, C. F. Esq. M.A. F.R.S. 
 Bartlett, — Esq. 
 
 Barton, Thomas P. Esq. 
 
 Beasant, John J. Esq. 
 
 Bevan, Edward, Esq. 
 
 Bibliotheque du Roi, Paris 
 Black, John, Esq. 
 
 Black, William Henry, Esq. 
 
 Black, William, Esq. 
 
 Blood, Bindon, Esq. Edinburgh 
 Bompas, Charles S. Esq. 
 
 Bourne, H. Esq. 
 
 Bright, Benjamin Heywood, Esq. 
 
 Bruce, John, Esq. F.S.A. 
 
 Brumridge, J. Esq. 
 
 Burn, James, Esq. Edinburgh 
 Burton, Septimus, Esq. Chiswick Grove 
 
 Cahusac, J. A. E.sq. F.S.A. 
 
 Caldwell, David, Esq. 
 
 Carmichael, Arch. Esq- M.A. Edinburgh 
 Chappell, William, Esq. F.S.A. 
 
 Chappell, J. C. Esq. 
 
 Chater, George, Esq. 
 
 Chorley, H. F. Esq. 
 
 Clare, Edward, Esq, 
 
 Collier, J. Payne, Esq. F.S.A. 
 
 Colher, J. Py croft, Esq. 
 
 Cooper, Charles Purton, Esq. Q.C. D.C.L. 
 
 F.R.S. F.S.A. 
 
 Cooper, W. D. Esq. 
 
 Comey, Bolton, Esq, 
 
 Corser, Rev. Thomas 
 
 Croker, T, Crofton, Esq. F.S.A. M.R.I.A. 
 
 Crossly, J. Esq. 
 
 Cunningham, George, Esq. Glasgow 
 Currcr, Miss Richardson, Asheton Hall 
 
 Dalzell, Sir John Graham, Edinburgh 
 Davies, Thomas Stevens, Esq. F.R.S. L, 
 & E. F.S.A. R.M.A. W’’oolwich. 
 
 Deck, N. Esq. 
 
 Dilke, C, W. Esq. 
 
 Disney, John, Esq. F.R.S. F.S.A. 
 
 Dixon, J. H. Esq, 
 
 Dixon, R. W. Esq. 
 
 Dovaston, J. F. M. Esq. A.M. 
 
 Dudgeon, George, Esq. 
 
 Duncan, James, Esq, 
 
 Dyce, Rev. Alexander 
 Dyke, Rev. Henry 
 
 Eyton, Joseph W. King, Esq. 
 
 Fairholt, Frederick W. Esq. 
 
 Fletcher, Thomas W. Esq. F.R.S. 
 
 Forett, David, Esq. 
 
 Fraser, Thomas, Esq. 
 
 Frend, Henry Tyrwhitt, Esq. 
 
 Glen, J. P. Esq. Radnorshire 
 Gracie, J. B. Esq. Edinburgh 
 Greene, — , Esq. Edinbnrgh 
 Gutch, John Mathew, Esq. F.S.A. 
 
 Halliwell, James Orchard, Esq. F.R.S. 
 F.R.A.S.M.R.S.L.M.R.S.N.A.F.S.A.L. 
 & E. (fee. Treasurer 
 Halliwell, Richard, Esq. F.S.A. 
 Harrison, W. F. Esq. 
 
 Hill, Thomas, Esq. 
 
 Hogarth, George, Esq. 
 
 Hollond, Robert, Esq. M.P. 
 
 Holme, Edward, Esq. M.D. 
 
 Hopper, A. M. Esq. 
 
 How, Jeremiah, Esq. 
 
 Hunter, Rev. Joseph, F.S A. 
 
 Ingraham, Edward D. Esq. 
 
 Ir\dng, David, LL.D. Edinburgh 
 
7 
 
 Jacob, B. Esq. Dorchester 
 James, G. P. R. Esq. 
 
 Jerdan, William, Esq. F.S.A. M.R.S.L. 
 John*, Richard, Esq. Lieut. R.M. 
 
 Kerr, John, Esq. Glasgow 
 Klingemann, C. Esq. 
 
 Konig, Charles, Esq. K.H. F.R.S. 
 
 Laing, David, Esq. F.S.A. Scotland 
 Law, W. Esq. 
 
 Leatham, W. H. Esq. 
 
 Lever, Charles, Esq. 
 
 Lilly, J. Esq. 
 
 Lloyd, George, Esq. 
 
 Logan, W. H. Esq. Edinburgh 
 London, City of, Literary and Scientific 
 Institution 
 Lover, Samuel, Esq. 
 
 Machay, Charles, Esq. 
 
 Mackenzie, John Whitefoord, Esq. Edin. 
 Macknight, James, Esq. Edinburgh 
 Maconochie, James Allan, Esq. Edinb. 
 Madden, Sir Fred. K.H. F.R.S. F.S.A 
 Keeper of the Manuscripts in the Bri- 
 tish Museum, &c. &c. 
 
 Mahon, William M‘, Esq. 
 
 Maidment, James, Esq. Edinburgh 
 Miller, John, M.D. Edinburgh 
 Mewburn, Francis, Esq. 
 
 Mitford, Rev. John 
 
 Morton, Rev. James, B.D. Holbeach 
 
 Muggeridge, Nathaniel, Esq. 
 
 Nichols, John Gough, Esq. F.S.A. 
 
 Oliphant, Thomas, Esq. 
 
 Ottley, Henry, Esq. 
 
 Ouvry, Frederic, Esq. 
 
 Pagan, S. N. Esq. Edinburgh 
 Parkes, Joseph, Esq. 
 
 Parry, Thomas, Esq. 
 
 Peacock, Reginald, Esq. 
 
 Petheram, John, Esq. 
 
 Petit, Louis Hayes, Esq. F.R.S. 
 Pettigrew, Thomas J. Esq. F.R.S. F.S.A. 
 
 Phillipps, Sir Thomas, Bt. F.R.S. F.S.A. 
 Pickering, William, Esq. 
 
 Pitcairn, Robert, B]sq. Edinburgh 
 Pocock, C. J . Esq. Bristol 
 Poison, Archer, Esq. 
 
 Price, Joseph, Esq. 
 
 Proctor, Rev. George, D.D. 
 
 Proctor, George H. Esq. Oxford 
 Proctor, Robert, Esq. 
 
 Pycroft, Edmund, Esq. 
 
 Pyper, Hamilton, Esq. Edinburgh 
 
 Rackham, Hanworth E. Esq. B A. 
 Rackham, Richard, Esq. 
 
 Read, John, Esq. Dorwent Hall, near 
 Sheffield 
 
 Repton, John Adey, Esq. F.S.A. 
 Richards, Charles, Esq. 
 
 Rickards, C. Esq. 
 
 Rickards, Samuel, Esq. 
 
 Riddell, Henry M. Esq. 
 
 Rimbault, Edward F. Esq. Seceetary 
 Robinson, Henry Crabb, Esq. 
 
 Robertson, John, Esq. Edinburgh 
 Rodwell, George Herbert, Esq. 
 
 Rogers, Samuel, Esq. F.R.S. F.S.A. 
 
 Row, James Yeeles, Esq. 
 
 Sandys, William, Esq. F.S.A. 
 
 Sharpe, Sir Cuthbert 
 Shaw, Henry, Esq. F.S.A. 
 
 Sherifi; Dr. 
 
 Shipp, W. Esq. 
 
 Smith, Richard John, Esq. 
 
 Smith, W. J. Esq. 
 
 Snaith, Frederick, M.D. Holbeach 
 Sotheby, Leigh, Esq. 
 
 Stanfield, Clarkson, Esq. R.A. 
 
 Stewart, Duncan, Esq. Edinburgh 
 Stokes, George, Esq. 
 
 Strang, Jno. Esq. Chamberlain of Glasgow 
 
 Thompson, Rev. George Hodgson 
 Thoms, William John, Esq. F.S.A. 
 Thomson, John, Esq. Musical Professor 
 at the University, Edinburgh 
 Thorby, Thomas, Esq. 
 
 Thornhill, Walter, Esq. 
 
8 
 
 Tomlins, F. G. Esq. 
 
 Turnbull, W. B. D.D. Esq. Edinburgh 
 Turner, J. Esq. 
 
 Turner, R. S. Esq. 
 
 Utterson, Edward Vernon, Esq. 
 
 Valle, Frederick, Esq. 
 
 Van de Wejer, His Excellency M. Syl- 
 Tain 
 
 Vincent, G. Esq. 
 
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 West, W. H. Custance, Esq. 
 
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 Secretary of the Imperial Library at 
 Vienna 
 
 Wright, Thomas, Esq. M.A. F.S.A. 
 Wright, J. H. C. Esq. 
 
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 u 
 

 
 
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 V 
 
 
 
 
DATE DUE 
 
 DEC -5 
 
 2000 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ' • • U- . 
 
 
 
 
 - > r; 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 GAYLORD 
 
 
 
 PRINTED IN U.S.A. 
 

 3 9031 
 
 01 
 
 33986 
 
 iSKag® 
 
 f 
 
 PR EARLY English Poetry 
 
 1121 Ballads* 
 
 .P4 
 
 v*l 
 
 Bapst Library 
 
 Boston College 
 Chestnut Hill, Mass. 02167