Glen Collection of printed music > Printed text > Charms of melody, or, Siren medley

248 BALLADS ANCIENT and modern, legendaries, &c.
And in that famous country
One year he had not been, '
Ere he by tilt maintained
The honour of his queen,
Elizabeth, his princefs,
He nobly did make known,
To be the phoenix of the world,
And none but her alone-
In armour richly gilded,
Well mounted on a fteed,
A fcore of knights moft hardy
One day he made to bleed ;
And brought them all unto the ground,
Who proudly did deny
Bilizaleth to be the pearl
Of princely majefty.
The king of that fame country
Thereat began to frown,
And will'd his fon, there prefent,
To pull this youngfter down ;
Who at his father's words
Thefe boafting fpeeches faid,
" Thou art a traytor, Englifh boy,
" Andhalt the traytor play'd."
'' I am no boy, nor traytor,
" Thy fpeeches I defy,
" For "which I'll be revenged '
" UjJon thee by and by ;
" A London 'prentice ftill
" Shall prove as good a man,
" As any of your Turkifh knights,
" Do all the beft you can."
And therewithal he gave him
A box upon the ear.
Which broke his neck afunder,
As plainly doth appear.
" Now, know, proud Turk," quoth he,
" I am ni) Englilh boy,
" That can with one fmall box o'th' ear
" The prince of Turks deftroy."
When as the king perceived
His fon fo ftrangely llain.
His foul was lore afflifted
With more than mortal pain :
And in revenge thereof,
He fwore that he fhould die
The cruel'ft death that ever man
Beheld with mortal eye.
Two lions were prepared
This 'prentice to devour.
Near famifh'd up with hunger.
Ten days within the tower.
To make them far more fierce,
And eager for their prey.
To glut themfelves with human gore.
Upon this dreadful day.
The appointed time of torment,
At length grew nigh at'hand.
When all the noble ladies
And barons of the land.
Attended en the king.
To fee this 'prentice fiain,
And bury'd in the hungry maws
Of ihofe fierce lions twain.
Then in his fhirt of cambrick,
V>- ith fiiks moft richly wrought.
This worthy London 'prentice
Was from the prifon brought,
And to the lions given
To ftanch their hunger great.
Which had eat in ten days.ipace
Not one fmall bit of meat.
But God that knows all fecrets.
The matter fo contriv'd,
That by this youag man's valour
They were of life depriv'd ;
For being faint for food.
They fcarcely could withftand
The noble force and fortitude.
And courage of his hand :
For when the hungry lions
Had cafl on him their eyes.
The elements did thunder
With echo of their cries;
And running all amain
His body to devour.
Into their throats he thruff his arms,"
With all his might and power :
From thence by manly valour,
I'heir hearts he tore ib funder,
And at the king he threw them,
To all the people's wonder.
" This I have done," quoth he,
^' For lovely England's fake,
" And jor my country's maiden queen
" Much more will undertake."
But when the king perceived
His wrathful lion's hearts,
AfRifled with gr^at terror.
His rigour foon perverts.
And turned all his hate
Into remorfe and love.
And faid, " it is fome angel
" Sent down from heav'n above.'
" No, no, I am no angel,"
The courteous young man faid,
" But born in famous England,
Where God's word is obey'd;
AfRfted by the heavens,
\A'^ho did me thus befriend.
Or elfe they had moll cruelly
Brought here my life to end.
The king, in heart amazed.
Lift up his «yes to heaven,
And for his foul offences
Did crave to be forgiven ;
Believing that no land
Like England may be feen,
No people better govern'd.
By virtue of a queen-
So taking up this young man,
He pardon'd him his life,
And gave his daughter to him,
To be his wedded wife :
Where then they did remain.
And live in quiet peace,
In ipending of their happy days
In joy and love's increafe.