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 Grey Russet King William put on,
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As tho he had been but some silly poor man.
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The Hounds were made ready, prepare'd for the Game.
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The Nobles attending 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 Counsel 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 affoord.
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He went to the Forrest some Pleasure to spy,
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The Grey hound run 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 Deer:
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Here are my three Hounds, Ile give them to you,
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And likewise my Hawks they're as good as e're flew
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Besides I will give thee full fourty shiling
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If you'l not betray me to William our King.
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All that I have offered I pray thee now take,
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And do thy Endeaveour my Peace for to make,
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Besides fourty shillings I'le give thee a Ring.
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If you'l not betray me to William your 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 for to make,
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Nor will I be brib'd with your 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'le not be unjust,
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Nor for a Gold Ring I'le not forfeit my Trust,
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I[']le 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 Ile 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 Sprits 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 pardo[n,] O pardon my Soveraign Leige,
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For Your Royal Pardon I humbly beseech,
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Alace! my poor heart in my Breast it is cold
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O let me not suffer for my being so bold.
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Get up honest Keeper and shake off thy fear,
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In thee there does nothing of folly appear;
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O that every one were as faithfull as ye,
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O what a blest Prince King William wou'd be.
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Because I encourage such persons as you,
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Ile make you my Ranger, if that won't do,
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I'le make thee 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 Replyed, 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'le 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 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 Kensingtoun Court,
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Whereof this true jest He would make some Sport.
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And when you come hither, see thou ask for long Jac[k,]
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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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Ile make thee my Ranger of Parks far and near.
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