GIVEN from two ancient copies, one in blackprint, in the Pepys Collection, the other in the Editor's folio MS. Each of these contained a stanza not found in the other. What seemed the best readings were selected from both.

This song is quoted as very popular in "Walton's Compleat Angler," chap. 2. It is more ancient than the ballad of 66 Robin Good-Fellow" printed below, which yet is supposed to have been written by Ben Jonson. As at noone Dulcina rested

In her sweete and shady bower, Came a shepherd, and requested In her lapp to sleepe an hour. But from her looke

A wounde he tooke

Soe deepe, that for a further boone

The nymph he prayes.

Wherto shee sayes,

THIS ballad is given from an old blackletter copy in the Pepys Collection, collated with another in the British Museum, H. 263, folio. It is there entitled, "The Lady Isabella's Tragedy, or the Step-Mother's Cruelty: being a relation of a lamentable and cruel murther, committed on the body of the Lady Isabella, the only daughter of a noble Duke, &c. To the tune of, The Lady's Fall." To some copies are annexed eight more modern stanzas, entitled, "The Dutchess's and Cook's Lamentation."

As loud as loud might bee; O save her life, good master-cook,

55

And make your pyes of mee!

THIS song is a kind of Translation of a pretty poem of Tasso's, called Amore fuggitivo, generally printed with his "Aminta," and originally imitated from the first Idyllium of Moschus.

It is extracted from Ben Jonson's Masque at the marriage of Lord Viscount Hadington, on Shrove-Tuesday, 1608. One stanza, full of dry mythology, is here omitted, as it had been dropped in a copy of this song printed in a small volume called "Le Prince d'Amour. Lond. 1660," 8vo.

BEAUTIES, have yee seen a toy,
Called Love, a little boy,
Almost naked, wanton, blinde;
Cruel now, and then as kinde?
If he be amongst yee, say;
He is Venus' run away.

Shee, that will but now discover
Where the winged wag doth hover,
Shall to-night receive a kisse,

How and where herselfe would wish:
But who brings him to his mother
Shall have that kisse, and another.

Markes he hath about him plentie; You may know him among twentie: All his body is a fire,

And his breath a flame entire:

THE story of this Ballad seems to be taken from an incident in the domestic history of Charles the Bald, King of France. His daughter Judith was betrothed to Ethelwulph King of England: but before the marriage was consummated, Ethelwulph died, and she returned to France: whence she was carried off by Baldwyn, Forester of Flanders; who, after many crosses and difficulties, at length obtained the king's consent to their marriage, and was made Earl of Flanders. This happened about A. D. 803.-See Rapin, Henault, and the French Historians.

The following copy is given from the Editor's ancient folio MS. collated with another in black-letter in the Pepys Collection, entitled, "An excellent Ballad of a prince of England's courtship to the King of France's daughter, &c. To the tune of Crimson Velvet."

Many breaches having been made in this old song by the hand of time, principally (as might be expected) in the quick returns of the rhyme; an attempt is here made to repair them.

IN the dayes of old,

When faire France did flourish,

Storyes plaine have told,

Which when her father proved,
Sorelye he was moved,

And tormented in his minde.
He sought for to prevent them;
And, to discontent them,

Fortune cross'd these lovers kinde.

When these princes twaine
Were thus barr'd of pleasure,
Through the kinges disdaine,
Which their joyes withstoode:
The lady soon prepar'd

Her jewells and her treasure:
Having no regard

For state and royall bloode;
In homelye poore array
She went from court away,

To meet her joye and hearts delight; Who in a forrest great

Had taken up his seat,

To wayt her coming in the night.
But, lo! what sudden danger
To this princely stranger

Chanced, as he sate alone!
By outlawes he was robbed,
And with ponyards stabbed,
Uttering many a dying grone.

Lovers felt annoye.

The princess, arm'd by love,