The Life and Death of Sir
Hugh of the Grime.
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AS it befell upon one time,
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about Mid-summer of the year,
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Every man was taxt of his crime,
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for stealing the good Lord Bishops Mare.
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The good Lord Screw he sadled a Horse,
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and rid after this same scrime,
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Before he did get over the Moss,
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there was he aware of Sir Hugh of the Grime.
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Turn, O turn, thou false Traytor,
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turn and yield thy self unto me:
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Thou hast stolen the Lord Bishops Mare,
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and now thou thinkest away to flee.
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No, soft Lord Screw that may not be,
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here is a broad sword by my side,
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And if that thou can'st conquer me,
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the Victory will soon be try'd.
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I ne'r was afraid of a Traytor bold,
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although thy name be Hugh in the Grime,
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I'le make thee repent thy speeches foul,
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if day and life but give me time.
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Then do thy worst good Lord Screw,
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and deal your blows as fast as you can:
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It will be try'd between me and you,
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which of us two shall be the best man.
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THus as they dealt their blows so free,
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and both so bloody at that time,
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Over the Moss ten Yeomen they see,
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come for to take Sir Hugh in the Grime.
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Sir Hugh set his back against a Tree,
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and then the men encompast him round,
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His mickle Sword from his hand did flee,
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& then they brought sir Hugh to the ground.
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Sir Hugh of the Grime now taken is,
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and brought back to Garland Town,
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The good Wives all in Garland Town,
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sir Hugh in the grime thou'st ne'r gang down
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The good Lord Bishop is come to the town,
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and on the Bench is set so high,
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And every man was taxt to his crime,
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at length he called sir Hugh in the Grime.
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Here am I thou false Bishop,
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thy humours all to fulfill,
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I do not think my fact so great,
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but thou may'st put it into thy own will.
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The Quest of Jury-men was call'd,
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the best that was in Garland Town,
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Eleven of them spoke all in a breast,
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Sir Hugh in the Grime thou'st ne'r gang down.
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Then other Questry-men was call'd,
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the best that was in Rumary,
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Twelve of them spoke all in a breast,
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sir Hugh in the Grime thou'st now guilty.
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Then came down my good Lord Boles,
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falling down upon his knee,
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Five hundred pieces of gold would I give,
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to grant Sir Hugh in the Grime to me.
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Peace, peace, my good Lord Boles,
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and of your speeches set them by,
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If there be eleven Grimes all of a name,
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then by my own honour they all should dye.
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Then came down my good Lady Ward,
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falling low upon her knee,
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Five hundred measures of gold i'le give,
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to grant Sir Hugh of the Grime to me.
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Peace, peace, my good Lady Ward,
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none of your proffers shall him buy,
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For if there be twelve Grimes all of a name,
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by my own honour they all should dye.
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Sir Hugh of the Grimes condemn'd to dye,
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and of his friends he had no lack,
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Fourteen foot he leapt in his ward,
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his hands bound fast upon his back.
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Then he lookt over his left shoulder,
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to see whom he could see or spy,
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There was he aware of his Father dear,
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came tearing his hair most pittifully.
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Peace, peace, my Father dear,
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and of your speeches set them by,
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Though they have bereav'd me of my life,
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they cannot bereave me of heaven so high.
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He lookt over his right shoulder,
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to see whom he could see or spy,
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There was he aware of his Mother Dear,
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came tearing her hair most pittifully.
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Pray have me remembred to Peggy my wife,
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as she and I walkt over the Moor,
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She was the causer of my life,
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and with the old Bishop she plaid the whore.
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Here Johnny Armstrong take thou my Sword
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that is made of the mettle so fine:
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And when thou com'st to the Border side,
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remember the death of Sir Hugh of the Grime.
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