"Garland of Good Will" it is reprinted, with the addition of four more such stanzas, but evidently written by a meaner pen. XVII. THE FROLICKSOME DUKE, OR THE TINKER'S GOOD FORTUNE. The following ballad is upon the same subject, as the Induction to Shakspeare's Taming of the Shrew: whether it may be thought to have suggested the hint to the Dramatic poet, or is not rather of later date, the reader must determine. The story is told of Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy and is thus related by an old English writer: The said Duke, at the marriage of Eleono"ra, sister to the king of Portugall, at Bruges in "Flanders, which was solemnised in the deepe of "winter; when as by reason of unseasonable wea"ther he could neither hawke nor hunt, and was now "tired with cards, dice, &c. and such other domes"tick sports, or to see ladies dance; with some of "his courtiers, he would in the evening walke dis"guised all about the towne. It so fortuned, as he "was walking late one night, he found a countrey "fellow dead drunke, snorting on a bulke; he caused "his followers to bring him to his palace, and there "stripping him of his old clothes, and attyring him af"ter the court fashion, when he wakened, he and they "were all ready to attend upon his excellency, and "persuade him that he was some great Duke. The 66 poor fellow admiring how he came there, was served "in state all day long after supper he saw them "dance, heard musicke, and all the rest of those "court-like pleasures: but late at night, when he was By Ludov. Vives in Epist. and by Pont. Heuter. Rerum Burgund. 1. 4. "well tipled, and again fast asleepe, they put on his "old robes, and so conveyed him to the place where "they first found him. Now the fellow had not "made them so good sport the day before, as he did "now, when he returned to himself: all the jest was "to see how he looked upon it. In conclusion, after "some little admiration, the poore man told his "friends he had seen a vision; constantly believed "it; would not otherwise be persuaded, and so the "jest ended." Burton's Anatomy of Melancholy, pt. ii. sec. 2. memb. 4. 2d ed. 1624, fol. This ballad is given from a black-letter copy in the Pepys collection, which is entitled as above. "To the tune of Fond boy." Now as fame does report a young duke keeps a court, One that pleases his fancy with frolicksome sport: But amongst all the rest, here is one I protest, Which will make you to smile when you hear the true jest: A poor tinker he found, lying drunk on the ground, 5 As secure in a sleep as if laid in a swound. The duke said to his men, William, Richard, and Ben, And they put him to bed for to take his repose. 10 15 Having pull'd off his shirt, which was all over durt, Now he lay something late, in his rich bed of state, 19 Tho' he seem'd something mute, yet he chose a rich suit, Which he straitways put on without longer dispute; 26 With a star on his side, which the tinker offt ey'd, And it seem'd for to swell him, 'no' little with pride; For he said to himself, Where is Joan my sweet wife? Sure she never did see me so fine in her life. 30 From a convenient place, the right duke his good grace Did observe his behaviour in every case. To a garden of state, on the tinker they wait, Trumpets sounding before him: thought he, this is great: Where an hour or two, pleasant walks he did view, With commanders and squires in scarlet and blew. 36 A fine dinner was drest, both for him and his guests, He was plac'd at the table above all the rest, 40 In a rich chair or bed,' lin'd with fine crimson red, While the tinker did dine, he had plenty of wine, Then the duke did ordain, they should strip him amain, And restore him his old leather garments again: 50 'Twas a point next the worst, yet perform it they must, And they carry'd him strait, where they found him at first; Then he slept all the night, as indeed well he might; sought 55 For a pardon, as fearing he had set him at nought; But his highness he said, Thou 'rt a jolly bold blade, Such a frolick before I think never was plaid. 60 |