vein of simplicity runs through the whole performance, that, had the ballad been written first, there is no doubt but every circumstance of it would have been received into the drama: whereas this was probably built on some Italian novel.

Printed from two ancient copies, one of them in black-letter in the Pepys collection. Its title at large is, "The Children in the Wood: or, the Norfolk Gentleman's Last Will and Testament: to the tune of Rogero, &c."

Now ponder well, you parents deare,

THE subject of this very popular ballad language is far more obsolete, and such a (which has been set in so favourable a light by the Spectator, No. 85) seems to be taken from an old play, entitled "Two lamentable Tragedies; the one of the murder of Maister Beech, a chandler in Thames-streete, &c. The other of a young child murthered in a wood by two ruffins, with the consent of his unkle. By Rob. Yarrington, 1601, 4to." Our ballad-maker has strictly followed the play in the description of the father and mother's dying charge: in the uncle's promise to take care of their issue: his hiring two ruffians to destroy his wards, under pretence of sending them to school: their choosing a wood to perpetrate the murder in: one of the ruffians relenting, and a battle ensuing, &c. In other respects he has departed from the play. In the latter the scene is laid in Padua: there is but one child: which is murdered by a sudden stab of the unrelenting ruffian: he is slain himself by his less bloody companion; but ere he dies he gives the other a mortal wound: the latter living just long enough to impeach the uncle; who, in consequence of this impeachment, is arraigned and executed by the hand of justice, &c. Whoever compares the play with the ballad, will have no doubt but the former is the original: the

These wordes, which I shall write;
A doleful story you shall heare,
In time brought forth to light.
A gentleman of good account
In Norfolke dwelt of late,
Who did in honour far surmount
Most men of his estate.

Sore sicke he was, and like to dye,
No helpe his life could save;
His wife by him as sicke did lye,

And both possest one grave.
No love between these two was lost,
Each was to other kinde,
In love they liv'd, in love they dyed,
And left too babes behinde:

5

10

15

Printed with a few slight corrections, from | Yet would I her asse freelye bee,

XX.

The King and Miller of Mansfield.

santlye,

With all his princes and nobles eche one; Chasing the hart and hind, and the buck gallantlye,

Ir has been a favourite subject with our | All a long summers day rode the king plea English ballad-makers to represent our kings conversing, either by accident or design, with the meanest of their subjects. Of the former kind, besides this song of the King and the Miller, we have King Henry and the Soldier; King James I. and the Tinker; King William III. and the Forester, &c. Of the latter sort, are King Alfred and the Shepherd; King Edward IV. and the Tanner; King Henry VIII. and the Cobler, &c.—A few

Till the dark evening forc'd all to turn home.

10 Then at last, riding fast, he had lost quite All his lords in the wood, late in the night.

Wandering thus wearilye, all alone, up and

downe,

With a rude miller he mett at the last;

ham;

15 Sir, quoth the miller, I meane not to jest, Yet I thinke, what I thinke, sooth for to say, You doe not lightlye ride out of your way.

Why, what dost thou think of me, quoth our king merrily,

of the best of these are admitted into this collection. Both the author of the following ballad, and others who have written on the Asking the ready way unto faire Nottingsame plan, seem to have copied a very ancient poem, entitled, "John the Reeve," which is built on an adventure of the same kind, that happened between King Edward Longshanks and one of his Reeves or Bailiffs. This is a piece of great antiquity, being written before the time of Edward IV., and for its genuine humour, diverting incidents, and faithful picture of rustic manners, is infinitely superior to all that have been since written in imitation of it. The Editor has a copy in his ancient folio MS., but its length rendered it improper for this volume, it consisting of more than 900 lines. It contains also some corruptions, and the Editor chooses to defer its publication, in hopes that some time or other he shall be able to remove them.

Passing thy judgment upon me so briefe? Good faith sayd the miller, I mean not to flatter thee,

21

I guess thee to bee but some gentleman thiefe;

Stand thee backe, in the darke; light not adowne,

Lest that I presentlye crack thy knaves

crowne.

Thou dost abuse me much, quoth the king, saying thus ;

25

I am a gentleman; lodging I lacke. Thou hast not, quoth th' miller, one groat in thy purse;

All thy inheritance hangs on thy backe. *I have gold to discharge all that I call; If it be forty pence I will pay all.

30

If thou beest a true man, then quoth the miller, I sweare by my toll-dish, I'll lodge thee all 'night.

Here's my hand, quoth the king, that was I

ever.

Nay, soft, quoth the miller, thou may'st be a sprite.

*The king says this.