The KING and the FORESTER.
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YOU subjects of England, 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 a king and a keeper also,
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Who met in a forest some winters ago.
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O early, O early, all in the morning,
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King William rose early all in the morning,
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And a gown of grey 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 ready prepar'd for Game,
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No nobles attended of honour and fame:
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But like a mean subject, in homely array,
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He to his own forest was taking his way.
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Oh. then bespoke Mary, our most royal queen,
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My gracious lord, pray where are you going?
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He answered, I count him to be no wise man,
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That will his counsel tell 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 your guide,
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To keep you from danger, my sovereign lord,
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The which will the greatest of blessings afford.
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He went to the forest some pleasure to spy,
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Where the hounds run swift; the keeper drew nigh,
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How dare you, bold fellow, how dare you come here,
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Without the King's leave, to chace his fair deer.
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Here are my three hounds, I will give them to you,
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And likewise my hawks, as good as e'er flew;
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Besides I will give you full forty shillings,
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If thou wilt not betray me to William our king.
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I am one of his subjects, I am one of his force,
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And I am come hither to run a course.
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Get you gone, you bold fellow, you run no course here
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Without the leave of King William forbear.
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All that I have proffer'd, I pr'ythee now take,
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And do thy endeavour my peace to make,
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Besides forty shillings I will give thee a ring,
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If thou wilt not betray me to William our King.
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Your three hounds, I tell you, I never will take,
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Nor yet-your three hawks, your peace to make,
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Nor will I be brib'd by your forty shillings,
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But I will betray you to William our King.
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As I am a keeper, I will not be unjust,
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Nor for a gold ring will I forfeit my trust;
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I will 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 the King he reply'd,
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What dost thou not see the star on my side?
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This forest is mine, I would have you to know,
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Then what is the reason you threaten me so?
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With then the bold keeper he fell on his knees,
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A trembling fear all his spirits did seize,
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The picture of death appear'd en his face;
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He knew not at first that the King was in place.
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O pardon, O pardon, my sovering liege,
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For your royal pardon I beg and beseech.
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Alas! my poor heart in my breast is cold;
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O let me not suffer for being so bold.
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Get up honest fellow, and shake off thy fears;
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In the there is nothing of folly appears:
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If every one was as faithful as thee,
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What a blessed prince would king William be!
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Because I'd encourage such fellows as you,
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I'll make the my ranger: If that will not do,
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Thou shalt be a captain by sea or by land,
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And high in my favour thou ever shalt stand.
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The keeper reply'd, my sovereing 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 am fearful to venture to sea.
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At which the King laugh'd till his sides he did hold,
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And threw him down fifty bright guineas in gold,
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And bid him make haste to Kensington Court,
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Where of this jest he would make much sport.
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And when you come there, pray ask for long Jack,
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Who wears pomegranates of gold on his back;
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Likewise a green pheasant upon his right sleeve,
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I warrant he's a true man, you may him bellieve.
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He's one of my porters who stands my gate,
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To let in my nobles both early and late,
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And there 'ore good fellow, come up without fear,
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I'll make the my ranger of parks far and near.
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