The Royal Frolick:
OR,
King WILLIAM and his Nobles Entertainment at the Farmers
House, in his Return from the Irish Wars.
To the Tune of, Let Caesar Live long.
Licensed according to Order
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OLd Stories inform us of Jocular things,
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The which has been acted by Soveraign Kings,
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To make their hearts Merry, and Nobles also,
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As they on their Progress, a Hunting would go:
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these were happy days, when Great Caesars would be
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Familiar with Subjects of e'ry degree.
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Yet those that have Govern'd these Kingdoms of late,
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Has not been so pleasant, till William the Great,
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Returning to London from Limerick fight,
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Whose Courage was mingl'd with Joy and Delight:
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The High-Road he quitted for Merriment sake,
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And to a Farm-house straight his way he did take.
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In all Towns and Cities the Subjects did throng,
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To see Great King William as he past along;
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This Farmer likewise he was gone with his Wife,
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For why, she had ne'r saw a King in her life;
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Theres none but a Daughter at home did remain,
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To wait on King William and his Noble Train.
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The King with his Nobles strait entered in,
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With this Salutation they then did begin:
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Sweet-heart, hast thou any choice Country Cheer,
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To see before honest true Travellers here?
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For what thou shalt bring us we'll willingly pay,
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It was our mischance to Ride out of the way.
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Kind Gentlemen, then the young Lass did reply,
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What is in the House I will scorn to deny;
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'Tis nothing but Bacon and Eggs, I declare.
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The King he reply'd, that is delicate fare:
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With that they began for to Cook it with speed,
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And he with his Nobles did savorly feed.
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What ever the Cellar and House would afford,
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She ready and willingly brought to the Board;
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As nappy March Beer, full as brown as a Berry,
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They all eat and drank, and were heartily Merry:
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The Damsel did wait with a Country Grace,
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Yet knew not that William our King was in place.
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Then one of the Nobles straight call'd to the Maid,
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O where is they Father and Mother? he said:
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Said she, they are Rid to the next Market-town,
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To see Great King William of Royal Renown.
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Whose Conquering Sword has the Victory won,
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And made the proud Rebels in Ireland Run.
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I prithee, is that such a Sight to be seen?
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Methinks a fair May-Pole on this pleasant Green,
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When Milk-Maids are Dancing with Garlands so gay
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And every honest young Batchelor may
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With his loving Sweet-heart Dance, merrily Sing,
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Sure this is far more than the sight of the King.
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Why, this is most Innocent Pleasure, I'll own,
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But yet Great King William that sits on the Throne,
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Has venter'd his Life to pull Popery down,
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Therefore he's belov'd by the best of the Town:
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My Father and Mother will Honour him then,
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Our Landlord is one of his Parliament-men.
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King William he smiled, yet little he said,
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But threw her ten Guinnies; and thus she was paid
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For this wholsome Dinner which she did prepare;
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And that Noble Lord he did likewise declare,
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He'd give her two more for to buy her a Ring,
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Because she was Loyal, and Honour'd her King.
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FINIS.
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