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EBBA 34672

Houghton Library - Huth EBB65H
Ballad XSLT Template
Shewing how King Henry, with the Earl Martial, in Fryars Habits, came to her instead of two
Fryars from France, which she sent for. To a pleasant new Tune.

QUeen Elenor was a sick woman,
and afraid that she should dye;
Then she sent for two fryars of France,
for to speak with them speedily.

The King calld down his nobles all,
by one, by two, and by three;
And sent away for Earl Martial,
for to speak with him speedily.

When that he came before the King,
he fell on his bended knee,
A boon, a boon, our Gracious King,
that you sent so hastily.

Ill pawn my livings, and my lands,
my scepter and my crown,
That whatever Queen Elenor says,
I will not write it down.

Do you but-put on one fryars coat,
and Ill put on another,
And we will to Queen Elenor go,
one fryar like another.

Thus both at[t]ired then they go:
when they came to White-hall,
The bells they did ring, and the quiristers sing,
and the torches did light them all.

When that they came before the Queen,
they fell on their bended knee,
A boon, a boon our Gracious Queen,
that you sent so hastily.

Are you two fryars of France, she said,
which I suppose you be:
But if you are two English fryars,
then hanged you shall be.

We are two fryars of France, they said,
as you suppose we be,
We have not been at any mass
since we came from the sea.

The first vile thing that eer I did,
I will to you unfold,
Earl Martial had my maiden-head,
underneath this cloath of gold.

That is a vile sin, then said the King,
God may forgive it thee:
Amen, amen, quoth Earl Martial
with a heavy heart then spoke he.

The next vile thing that eer I did,
to you Id not deny;
I made a box poyson strong,
to poyson King Henry.

That is a vile sin then said the King,
God may forgive it thee:
Amen, amen, quoth Earl Martial,
And I with it so may be.

The next vile thing that eer I did,
to you I will dicover,
I poysoded fair Rosamond,
all in fair Woodstock-bower.

That is a vile sin, then said the King,
God may forgive it thee:
Amen, amen, quoth Earl Martial,
and with it so may be.

Do you see yonders little Boy,
a catching of the Ball?
That is Earl Martials son, she said,
and I love him the best of all

Do you see yonders little Boy,
a tossing of the ball,
That is King Henrys son she said,
and I love him the worst of all.

His head is like unto a bull,
his nose is like a boar.
No matter for that, King Henry said,
I love him the better therefore.

The King pulld off his fryars coat,
and appeared all in red;
She shriekd, and she cryd, she wrung her hands,
and said, she was betrayd.

The King lookd over his left shoulder,
and a grim look looked he,
And said, Earl Martial, but for my oath,
then hanged shouldst thou be.


FINIS.
Printed for C. Bates, at the White-hart,
in West-Smithfield.

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