King HENRY III. his Conquest of FRANCE,
In Revenge for the Affront Offered by the French King,
In Sending him (instead of the Tribute due) a Ton of
TENNIS-BALLS.
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AS our King lay musing on his Bed,
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He bethought himself upon a Time,
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Of a Tribute that was due from France,
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Had not been paid for so long a Time.
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Fal, lal, etc.
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He called for his lovely Page,
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His lovely Page then called he;
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Saying, You must go to the King of France,
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To the King of France, Sir, ride speedily.
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O then away went this lovely Page,
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This lovely Page then away went he;
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And when he came to the King of France,
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Low he fell down on his bended Knee.
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My Master greets you, worthy Sir,
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Ten Ton of Gold that is due to he,
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That you will send him his Tribute home,
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Or, in French Land youll soon him see.
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Fal, lal, etc.
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Your Masters young, and of tender Years,
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Not fit to come into my Degree;
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And I will send him three Tennis-Balls,
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That with them he may learn to play.
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O then returned this lovely Page,
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This lovely Page then returned he;
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And when he came to our gracious King,
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Low he fell down on his bended Knee.
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What News? what News? my trusty Page,
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What is the News you have brought to me?
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I have brought such News from the King of France
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That you and he never will agree.
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He says, Youre young and of tender Years,
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Not fit to come into his Degree;
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And he will send you three Tennis-Balls,
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That with them you may learn to play.
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Recruit me Cheshire and Lancashire,
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And Darby-hills, that were so free;
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No marryd Man, nor Widows Son,
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For no Widows Curse shall go with me.
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They recruited Cheshire and Lancashire,
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And Darby-hills, that were so free;
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No marryd Man, nor no Widows Son,
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Yet there was a jovial bold Company.
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O then we marched into the French Land,
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With Drums and Trumpets so merrily;
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And then bespoke the King of France,
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Lo! yonder comes proud King Henry.
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The first Shot that the French then gave,
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They killd our Englishmen so free.
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We killd ten thousand of the French,
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And the Rest of them they run away.
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And then we marched to Paris Gate,
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With Drums and Trumpets so merrily.
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O then bespoke the King of France,
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The Lord have Mercy on my Men and me.
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O I will send him his Tribute home,
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Ten Ton of Gold that is due to he;
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And the finest Flowers thats in all France,
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To the Rose of England I will give free.
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