An Excellent new Ballad,
INTITULED
King WILLIAM
And his Forrester,
To its own proper Tune.
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YOU Subjects of Britain come listen a while,
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Here is a new Ditty will make you to smile.
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It is of the King and the Keeper also,
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Who met in the Forrest but lately ago.
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O early, O early, into a Morning,
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King William rose early into a Morning,
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And a Gown of Gray Russet King William put on,
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As tho' he had been some silly poor Man.
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The Hounds were made ready prepar'd for the Game,
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The Nobles attended of Honour and Fame,
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But like a mean Subject in humble Array,
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He to his own Forrest was taking his Way.
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O then bespoke Mary our most Royal Queen,
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My Gracious King William, where are you going?
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He answer'd her quickly, I count him no Man
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That telleth his Council unto a Woman,
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The Queen with a modest Behaviour reply'd,
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I wish that kind Providence may be thy Guide,
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To keep thee from Danger my soveraign Lord,
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The which will the greatest of Comfort afford.
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He went to the Forrest some pleasure to spy,
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The gray Hound ran swift and the Keeper drew nigh,
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Who cry'd you bold Fellow how dare you come here,
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Without the King's Leave to chase his fair Dear.
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Here are my three Hounds, I'll give them to you,
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And likewise my Hauks they're as good as e're flew,
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Besides I will give thee full Forty Shillings,
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If you will not betray me to William our King.
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All that I have offer'd I pray thee now take,
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And do thy Endeavour my Peace for to make,
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Besides Forty Shillings I'll give thee a Ring,
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If ye will not disclose me to William your King.
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Your three Hounds I'll tell you I never will take,
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Nor yet your three Hauks your Peace for to make,
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Nor will I be bribed with Money and Ring,
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But I will disclose you to William our King.
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As I'm a true Keeper I'll not be unjust,
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Nor for a Gold Ring will I forfeit my Trust,
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I'll bring you before him as sure as a Gun,
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And there you shall answer for what you have done.
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Thou art a bold Fellow King William reply'd,
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How dost thou not see the Star at my Side.
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The Forrest is mine I'll let thee to know,
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Then what is the Reason you threaten me so.
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With that the bold Keeper fell down on his knees,
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A trembling Fear his Spirit did seize.
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The Picture of Death did appear in his Face,
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He knew not at first the King was in Place.
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O pardon, O pardon, my Soveraign Leige,
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For your Royal Pardon I humbly beseech,
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Alas! my poor Heart in my Breast it is cold,
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O let me not suffer for being so bold.
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Get up honest Keeper and shake off thy Fears,
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In thee there is nothing of Folly appears:
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O that every one were as faithful as ye,
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O what a blest Prince King William would be.
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Because I encourage such Persons as you,
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I'll make you my Ranger; if that you won't do,
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I'll make the a Captain by Sea or by Land,
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And high in my Favour thou ever shall stand.
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The Keeper reply'd, My Soveraign Lord,
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Sure I am not worthy of such a Reward;
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Yet nevertheless your true Keeper I'll be,
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Because I'm afraid to venture by Sea,
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With that the King laught, till his Sides he did hold,
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And threw him down Fifty brave Guineas of Gold,
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And bad him haste to the Kinsingtoun Court,
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Where of this true Jest he would make some sport,
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And when you come hither see you ask for long Jack,
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Who wears a Pagenet of Gold at his Back
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Likewise a great Fazon of Gold at his right Sleeve,
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For he's a true Man you may him believe:
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He's one of the Porters that stands at my Gate,
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To let in my Nobles both early and late;
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And therefore good Fellow come up without Fear
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I'll make thee my Ranger of Parks far and near.
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