A Tragical Story of
LORD THOMAS
And Fair Ellinor.
Together with the Downfall of the Brown Girl.
To a Pleasant New Tune, called, LORD THOMAS.
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L Ord Thomas he was a bold Forrester,
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and a Chaser of the Kings Deer,
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Fair Ellinor was a Fair Woman,
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and Lord Thomas he lov'd her dear.
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Come Riddle, my Riddle, dear Mother, he said,
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and riddle us both as one;
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Whither I shall Marry with fair Ellinor ,
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and let the Brown-Girl alone.
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The brown Girl she has got Houses & Lands,
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and fair Eillnor she has got none,
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Therefore I charge you on my blessing,
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and bring me the Brown Girl home.
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And as it befell on a high Holiday,
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as many did more beside,
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Lord Thomas he went to Fair Ellinor ,
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that should have been his Bride.
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But when he came to fair Ellinors Bower,
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he knocked there at the Ring:
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But who was so ready as fair Ellinor ,
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for to let Lord Thomas in.
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What news, what news, L. Thomas she said
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what news hast thou brought unto me,
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I am come to bid thee to my Wedding,
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and that is bad News to thee.
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O H! God forbid Lord Thomas , she said;
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that such a thing should be done;
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I thought to have been thy Bride my own self
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and you to have been the Brid's-groom.
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Come Riddle my Riddle dear Mother, she said
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and Riddle it all in one;
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Whether I shall go to Lord Thomas 's Wedding,
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or whether I shall tarry at home.
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There's many of your Friends Daughter,
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and many that are your Fo;
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Therefore I charge you on my blessing,
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to Lord Thomas his Wedding don't go.
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There's many that are my Friends Mother,
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if a Thousand more were my Foe;
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Betide my Life or betide my Death,
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to Lord Thomas 's his Wedding I'le go.
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She cloathed her self in Gallant attyre,
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and her Merry-men all in green,
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And as they Rid thorough every Town,
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they took her to have been a Queen.
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But when she came to Lord Thomas his Gate,
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she knocked there at the Ring,
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But who was so ready as Lord Thomas ,
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to let fair Ellinor in?
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Is this your Bride? fair Ellin , she said?
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methinks she looks wondrous Brown ,
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Thou mightest have had as fair a Woman,
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as ever trod on the Ground,
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Despise her not, Fair Ellin , he said,
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despise her not now unto me;
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For better I love thy Little Finger,
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then all her whole Body.
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This Brown-Bride had a Little Pen-Knife,
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that was both Long and Sharp,
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But betwixt the Short Ribs and the Long,
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prick'd Fair Ellinor to the heart.
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Oh Christ now save thee, Lord Thomas , he said
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methinks thou look'st wondrous wan;
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Thou wast us'd for to look with as fresh a Colour,
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as ever the Sun shin'd on.
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Oh art thou blind Lord Thomas , she said,
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or canst thou not very well see?
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Oh dost thou not see my own hearts blood,
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runs trickling down my Knee?
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Lord Thomas he had a Sword by his side,
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as he walk'd about the Hall,
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He cut off his brides Head from her shoulders
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and he threw it against the Wall.
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He set the Hilt against the Ground,
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and the Point against his Heart,
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There was never Three Lovers that ever met
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more sooner they did depart.
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This may be Printed,
Ro. L'Estrange.
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