K. James Ist. and the tinker/King William and his bold forester

King WILLIAM, and his Forester.

YOU subjects of Britain come listen a while,
Here is a new ditty will make you to smile,
It is of a King and a Keeper also,
Who met in the forest but lately ago,

O early, O early, into a morning,
King William rose early in a morning,
And a gown of grey russet King William put on,
As though he had been but a poor silly man.

The hounds were made ready prepar'd for the game,
The nobles attended of honour and fame;
But like a mean subject in humble array,
He to his own forest was taking his way.

O then bespoke Mary, our royal Queen,
My gracious King William where are you going,
He answer'd her quickly I count him no man,
That telleth his counsel unto a woman

The Queen with a modest behaviour, reply'd,
I wish kind providence may be thy guide,
And keep thee from danger, my sovereign Lord,
The which will the greatest of comforts afford.

He went to the forest some pleasure to spy,
The grey-hound run swift, and the keeper drew nigh,
Who cry'd you bold fellow, how dare you come here,
Without the King's leave, to chase his fallow deer.

Here are my three hound, I'll give them to you,
And likewise my hawks, they're as good as e'er flew,
Besides, I will give thee full forty shilling,
If you'll not betray me to William our King.

All that I have offer'd I pray thee now take,
And do thy endeavour my peace for to make,
Besides forty shillings I'll give thee a ring,
If you'll not betray me to William our King.

Your three hounds I tell you I never will take,
Nor yet your three hawks, your peace for to make;
Nor will I be brib'd with your money and ring,
But I will disclose you to William our King.

As I'm a true keeper, I'll not be unjust,
Nor, for a gold ring, will I forfeit my trust,
I'll bring you before him as sure as a gun,
And there you shall answer for what you have done.

Thou art a bold fellow, King William reply'd,
Why dost thou not see the star at my side,
The forest is mine, I'll let thee to know,
Then what is the reason thou threatens me so.

With that the bold keeper fell down on his knees,
A trembling fear his spirits did seize,
The picture of death did appear in his face,
He knew not at first the King was in place.

O pardon, O pardon, my sovereign liege,
For your royal pardon humbly beseech,
Alas! my poor heart in my b east it is cold,
O let me not suffer for being so bold!

Get up honest keeper, and shake off thy fears,
In thee there is nothing of folly appears,
O that ev'ry one were as faithful as thee,
O what a blest prince King William would be.

Because I encourage such persons as you,
I'll make you my ranger and if that won't do,
I'll make thee a captain by sea or by land,
And in my high favour you ever shall stand.

The keeper replied, my sovereign Lord,
Sure I am not worthy of such a reward,
Yet nevertheless, your true keeper I'll be,
'Cause I was nc'cr bred to the army nor sea.

With that the king laugh'd, till his sides he did hold,
And threw him down fifty brisk guineas of gold,
And bid him haste to the Kensington court,
Where of this true jest he would make some report.

And when you come there, see you ask for long Jack
Who wears a pageant of gold at his back,
Likewise a great fazon of gold at his right sleeve,
For he's a true man you may him believe.

He's one of my porters that stands at my gate,
To let in my nobles, both early and late,
And therefore, good fellow come up without fear,
I'll make thee my ranger of parks far and near.