198 69 11MB
English Pages 368 Year 1931
The Tepys ^Ballads VOLUME
VI
LONDON : H U M P H R E Y M I L F O R D OXFORD UNIVERSITY
PRESS
The Pepys Ballads EDITED BY
HYDER EDWARD ROLLINS
V O L U M E VI 1691—1693
Numbers
342—427
HARVARD UNIVERSITY PRESS Qambridget zJxCassackusetts 1
931
COPYRIGHT, 1 9 3 1 BY THE PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGE
PRINTED AT THE HARVARD UNIVERSITY PRESS CAMBRIDGE, MASS., U. S . A .
Admire no more the Versifiers of the Times, who are more despicable Fellows than the very Balladmakers of the Age. Pye-Corner and London-bridge have more Poetry, than some celebrated Shops I could name; for the Ballads generally go upon some Story, some Flirt, some Design; the Versifiers upon none. Thomas Killigrew
PREFACE
T
H E eighty-six ballads in this sixth volume, which are miscellaneous enough in theme to recall the spacious times of great Elizabeth, begin auspiciously with a jovial health sung by " the merry, loyal boys of Suffolk" after the failure of the Jacobite invasion-plot on January 3, 1691, and end appropriately with a song of triumph on the sanguinary, but indecisive, battle of Landen on July 19, 1693. They give a picturesque and an entertaining account of many events of importance at home, in Ireland, and on the Continent, though, as usual, their writers have passed into nameless obscurity. Only two authors sign their productions: Richard Rigby, the rhyming shoemaker, is responsible for a song praising the gentle craft (No. 407), John Curtin, a common seaman, for a jocose narrative (No. 386) of a maiden sailor captured by a press-gang. Neither seems to have been a professional ballad-writer. Sir Charles Sedley, poet and playwright, composed No. 379, though, of course, it does not bear his signature. William I l l ' s various military expeditions to the Low Countries in 1691-1693 and the exploits of his armies there are fully chronicled. What some newspapers today would describe as human interest is secured by the space devoted to the queen and her fearful good-byes (Nos. 345, 347), as well as by "royal letters" said to have been written by William and James II. There are accounts of the surrender of Namur (Nos. 395, 398), of the famous battles of Steenkirk (No. 399) and Landen (No. 427), and of the assassination-plot of Grandval against William III (No. 401). James II sends a letter [vii]
PREFACE (No. 400) to Louis X I V , lamenting the successes of the English in Flanders, just as earlier he, with Mary of Modena, had uttered sounds of woe (Nos. 375, 376,392) over William's triumphs in Ireland and their fatal effect on the Jacobite cause. The Irish war is covered about as fully as that on the Continent, Nos. 365-369, 371-377 describing General Ginkel's prowess in conquering the cities of Athlone, Aghrim, and Limerick. Furthermore, eight ballads (Nos. 387-394) in one way or another deal with the decisive naval-victory of the English fleet over the French at La Hogue. And for good measure three songs (Nos. 386, 397, 416) celebrate Amazon-like females who serve as sailors or soldiers for the king. A discordant note is struck in No. 344, where the anonymous author, in discussing a mutiny by unpaid and illtreated sailors, indulges in some harsh comments on William and Mary, who, in his opinion, had betrayed James II. Most of the ballads, then, deal with historical events of importance, and the continual references to William and Mary II, James, Mary of Modena, and Louis X I V are, as usual, prejudiced by considerations of safety or popularity. But sometimes altogether different subjects enter, as when a verse-monger writes a caveat for tipplers (No. 366), while others direct their shafts against current styles of hair-dress (Nos. 352-355), writing of a calf born in Somersetshire with a top-knot, of a foal born in Gloucestershire with a similar adornment, and interpreting both prodigies as warnings against feminine vanity. In the same way prodigious happenings in Essex (No. 408) and Kent (No. 409) are held up as looking-glasses to avaricious landlords and engrossers of corn. Another alleged prodigy, a "midnight wonder" (No. 417), however, unexpectedly turns out, in the style of Mrs. Radcliffe, to have a rational explanation. The poor, as always, have stout defenders in the ballad[ viii ]
PREFACE writers; and so there are complaints supposedly written by shopkeepers (No. 414) and innkeepers (No. 415) on the decay of their business, as well as by manual laborers (Nos. 410, 411) who in a bad world find nothing cheap except their own physical work. Various criminals react their guilty deeds in these pages. The crudest and most repulsive of the lot is Elizabeth Deacon (No. 349), who in 1691 beat her maid, M a r y Cox, to death. Of much better stuff is James Selby (No. 362), at least if he did commit all the murders credited to him, though his exit from the world in a halter came, disappointingly enough, because of the brutal and uninteresting killing, while in a drunken fit, of his worthless paramour. James Bird (No. 370) is of a different caliber. A student of Queen's College, Oxford, and Gray's Inn, he found himself tired of the low-class girl (daughter of a Queen's College servant) whom he had secretly married, and he proceeded to put her out of the way in a manner that indicates considerable planning. The almost immediate detection of the crime was due to his subsequent actions caused rather by horror and conscience than by any faults in his scheme. Bird's good-night at the scaffold on September 18, 1691, shows how conscience had weakened his murderous resolution. Captain Francis Winter came near escaping the hands of justice. In July, 1691, he led the squires of Alsatia in an attack on the Inner Temple gentlemen, defying the sheriffs of London and killing one of their men with a bullet from his blunderbuss. Almost two years passed before he was arrested and brought to trial. On M a y 17, 1693, he was hanged in Fleet Street, and in No. 424 he utters his doleful farewell. One of the most famous of all English highwaymen, Captain James Whitney, is honored by four ballads (Nos. 418-421) which, with evident admiration, chronicle his misdeeds, his betrayal by a false mistress to officers of the law, his arrest, trial, and [ix]
PREFACE execution in 1693. And, finally, the trial of John Foster for stealing a magpie and a cage, worth respectively twopence and fourpence, and his acquittal after nearly three weeks of imprisonment are summarized in amusing, but none too sympathetic, fashion in No. 425. Foster was a simpleton, and as such he offers an instructive contrast to Selby, Bird, Winter, and Whitney. Η. E. R. HARVARD UNIVERSITY,
June 15, 1930.
CONTENTS PREFACE 342.
VII
THE
B O O N C O M P A N I O N S OR T H E
MERRY LOYAL
BOYS
OF S U F F O L K ' S J O V I A L H E A L T H (JANUARY 3 , 1 6 9 1 ) . . . 343.
3
T H E P O T - C O M P A N I O N S OR D R I N K I N G A N D S M O K I N G P R E FERRED B E F O R E C A B A L L I N G A N D P L O T T I N G (JANUARY 3 , 1691)
344.
6
T H E S E A - M A R T Y R S OR T H E S E A M E N ' S S A D L A M E N T A T I O N FOR T H E I R USAGE
345.
FAITHFUL
SERVICE BAD P A Y
AND
CRUEL
(JANUARY, 1 6 9 1 )
T H E R O Y A L DIALOGUE BETWEEN
9 OR T H E C O U R T L Y
SALUTATION
K I N G W I L L I A M AND Q U E E N M A R Y
(JANUARY
16,1691) 346.
14
T H E C H U R C H OF E N G L A N D ' S W I S H FOR K I N G W I L L I A M ' S S A F E V O Y A G E INTO H O L L A N D
347.
AN
EXCELLENT
NEW
REGENT'S WISH 348.
KING
JAMES'S
SONG
CALLED
THE
.
.
LAMENTATION
21
UPON
THE
LANDING
( J a n u a r y 20, 1 6 9 1 )
T H E W H I P S T E R OF W O O D S T R E E T OR A T R U E OF THE B A R B A R O U S A N D H O R R I D M U R T H E R
.
OF .
.
H O G A N M O G A N OR T H E W I S E M E N
ACCOUNT
28 OF E U R O P E ( J a n u -
ary 26, 1691) 351.
34
T H E R O Y A L L E T T E R TO O U R G R A C I O U S Q U E E N FROM H I S M A J E S T Y IN F L A N D E R S
352.
MARY
(March, 1691)
.
.
38
T H E SOMERSETSHIRE W O N D E R B E I N G A T R U E R E L A T I O N OF A
COW
WHO
BROUGHT
FORTH A
CALF
WITH
THE
L I K E N E S S OF A W O M A N ' S H E A D - D R E S S ( M a r c h 2 5 , 1 6 9 1 ) 353.
24
COMMITTED
ON M A R Y COX ( J a n u a r y 25, 1 6 9 1 ) 350.
18
CHARMING
(JANUARY 1 6 , 1 6 9 1 )
K I N G W I L L I A M IN H O L L A N D 349.
(JANUARY 1 6 , 1 6 9 1 )
41
T H E F A R M E R ' S W I F E ' S C O M P L A I N T A G A I N S T THE L A D I E S '
COMMODES AND TOP-KNOTS ( a b o u t A p r i l , 1 6 9 1 )
Cxi]
. . .
47
CONTENTS 354.
A F A I R W A R N I N G FOR P R I D E BY A F O A L W H I C H I S S A I D TO H A V E
C O M E INTO THE W O R L D
WITH A
TOP-KNOT
(April, 1691) 355.
50
T H E VIRGINS' VINDICATION
OR T H E
CONCEITED
FASH-
ION-MONGERS F A I R L Y E X P O S E D TO THE W O R L D
(APRIL,
1691) 356.
54
D O W N R I G H T H O N E S T Y OR A D I S C O U R S E B E T W E E N
TWO
WELL-MEANING PROTESTANTS CONCERNING THOSE P A M PHLETS L A T E L Y 357.
ENGLAND'S JOY
DISPERSED
TRIUMPH
FOR THE
(APRIL 1 3 , 1 6 9 1 ? )
OR T H E C O U R T
KING'S
SAFE
AND
RETURN
58
COUNTRY'S
FROM
FLANDERS
(APRIL 1 3 , 1 6 9 1 ) 358.
ENGLAND'S
62
WELCOME
TO
KING
WILLIAM
(APRIL
13,
1691) 359.
65
T H E K I N G ' S R E T U R N FROM H O L L A N D A N D H I S
JOYFUL
R E C E P T I O N B Y THE Q U E E N A N D L O Y A L S U B J E C T S (APRIL 13»
I 6
9J)
7°
360.
T H E C O U N T R Y ' S L O Y A L T Y S H E W I N G T H E I R J O Y FOR THE
361.
T H E L O Y A L S U B J E C T S ' P R A Y E R S FOR K I N G
G O O D S U C C E S S OF K I N G W I L L I A M ' S A R M S (APRIL 1 3 , 1 6 9 1 )
G O O D S U C C E S S OVER H I S E N E M I E S IN F L A N D E R S
(MAY
1,1691) ЗБА.
78
T H E B L O O D Y M U R T H E R E R OR T H E S O R R O W F U L L A M E N TATION OF J A M E S S E L B Y W H O W A S E X E C U T E D M A Y
2,
1691 363.
THE
81 JACOBITE'S
R E C A N T A T I O N S E E I N G THE
C O N Q U E S T OF I R E L A N D 364.
GLORIOUS
(JUNE, 1 6 9 1 )
91
T E A G U E A N D S A W N E Y OR T H E U N F O R T U N A T E OF A D E A R - J O Y ' S
DEVOTION
BY ST.
SUCCESS
PATRICK'S
CROSS
(JUNE I , 1 6 9 1 ) 365.
THE
NEW
94
COURAGEOUS CONQUEST
OR T H E T O W N
A T H L O N E IN I R E L A N D S T O R M E D A N D T A K E N 3°. ЗББ.
74
WILLIAM'S
A
I6
ON
OF
JUNE
9J
97
CAVEAT
FOR T I P P L E R S
OR A
PIOUS
REFORMATION
A P P O I N T E D B Y H I S M A J E S T Y FOR THE O B S E R V A N C E OF
THE SABBATH ( J u l y 10, 1 6 9 1 ) 367.
THE
CITY
CHEAT
HOUSE S O N G
DISCOVERED
(JULY, 1 6 9 1 )
[xii]
100 OR
A
NEW
COFFEE104
CONTENTS 368.
T H E T R I U M P H OF I R E L A N D OR E N G L A N D ' S
HAPPINESS
IN THE C O N Q U E S T OVER THE R E B E L S A T A G H R I M J U L Y
12, 1691 369.
108
T H E P R O T E S T A N T V I C T O R Y B E I N G THE G L O R I O U S QUEST O B T A I N E D
IN THE K I N G D O M OF
CON-
I R E L A N D (JULY
12, 1691) 370.
112
T H E MURTHERER'S M O A N
OR T H E
PENITENT
LAMEN-
TATION OF J . B . FOR THE M U R T H E R OF H I S W I F E E L I Z A BETH BEFORE H I S E X E C U T I O N ON S E P T E M B E R 1 8 , 1 6 9 1 371.
THE
TRIUMPH
OF I R E L A N D
OR
THE
SURRENDER
L I M E R I C K ON S E P T E M B E R 2 7 , 1 6 9 1 372.
122
T E A G U E THE IRISH T R O O P E R B E I N G H I S L A M E N T A T I O N TO
373.
A
His
(October 3, 1691)
COUSIN A G R A
126
D I A L O G U E B E T W E E N A F R E N C H AND IRISH O F F I C E R
CONCERNING
THEIR
LEAVING
LIMERICK
(OCTOBER
3,
1691) 374.
130
T E A G U E THE IRISH SOLDIER OR H I S L A M E N T A T I O N FOR THE L O S S OF L I M E R I C K
375.
115
OF
THE
MOURNFUL
(OCTOBER 3 , 1 6 9 1 )
133
M O N A R C H OR T H E L A M E N T A T I O N
OF
K I N G JAMES A T THE SURRENDER OF L I M E R I C K (OCTOBER
3, 376.
I6
9J)
*36
A N A N S W E R TO THE M O U R N F U L M O N A R C H B E I N G THE LATE QUEEN'S
REPLY
TO H E R
KING'S
LAMENTATION
(OCTOBER 3 , 1 6 9 1 ) 377.
140
A N E X C E L L E N T N E W SONG C A L L E D G E N E R A L G I N K E L ' S C O N Q U E S T OR T H E SURRENDER OF L I M E R I C K
(OCTOBER
4, 1691) 378.
144
ENGLAND'S
JOY
OR K I N G W I L L I A M
SAFELY
ARRIVED
FROM F L A N D E R S (OCTOBER 1 9 , 1 6 9 1 ) 379.
SUNG AT COURT. 380.
147
T H E SOLDIERS' C A T C H OR T H E S A L I S B U R Y JIG L A T E L Y BY
S I R C H A R L E S S E D L E Y ( 1 6 9 1 ?)
A N E X C E L L E N T N E W SONG E N T I T L E D A H O T
.
150
ENGAGE-
MENT BETWEEN A F R E N C H P R I V A T E E R AND AN E N G L I S H F I R E - S H I P ( 1 6 9 1 ?) 381.
FRANCE
OUTWITTED
153 OR T H E
W E L C O M E INTO E N G L A N D 382.
DUKE
OF
RICHMOND'S
(February 25,1692) . . . .
T H E L O Y A L ENGLISHMAN'S W I S H FOR THE TION OF THE K I N G AND Q U E E N [ XIÜ ]
156
PRESERVA-
(February, 1692)
. .
160
CONTENTS 383.
K I N G W I L L I A M ' S W E L C O M E TO H O L L A N D OR H I S
384.
CON-
(March 6, 1692)
QUERING A R M Y ' S V A L I A N T R E S O L U T I O N
163
T H E R O Y A L F A V O R S OF K I N G W I L L I A M B E I N G THE S U B STANCE OF H I S S P E E C H TO H I S V A L I A N T SOLDIERS IN FLANDERS
(April, 1692)
167
385.
E N G L A N D ' S SCORN OR T H E S H A M I N V A S I O N
386.
THE
M A I D E N SAILOR BEING A T R U E
YOUNG
DAMSEL
EDGAR. 387.
WHO
WAS
THE 174
T H E G L O R I O U S V I C T O R Y OR T H E T R I U M P H A N T C O N Q U E S T
(May 19-23, 1692)
(May 19-23, 1692) . . .
183
A M E R R Y N E W B A L L A D ON THE G R E A T V I C T O R Y OVER
THE
TRIUMPH
OF THE
19-23, 1692 SEAS
D U T C H V I C T O R Y OVER THE
OR T H E
186 ENGLISH
AND
FRENCH FLEET ( M A Y
19-
23, 1692) 391.
193
T H E J A C O B I T E T O S S E D IN A B L A N K E T OR A BETWEEN A W I L L I A M I T E AND A J A C O B I T E 23»
392.
I6
(ABOUT M A Y
KING
197
JAMES'S
LAMENTATION
OF I R E L A N D
BEING
H I M AND THE F R E N C H K I N G
FOR A
THE
LOSS
DIALOGUE
OF
HIS
BETWEEN
(ABOUT M A Y 2 3 , 1 6 9 2 )
.
( M A Y 23, 1692)
206
T H E D I S T R A C T E D F R E N C H K I N G WITH AN A C C O U N T OF HIS
RAVING
FIT
AGAINST
HIS
COWARDLY
OFFICERS
( M A Y 23, 1692) 395.
201
T H E L A D Y ' S L A M E N T A T I O N OR T H E COMMANDER'S L A S T FAREWELL
394.
DIALOGUE
92)
KINGDOM
393.
179
A N E W B A L L A D G I V I N G A T R U E A C C O U N T OF THE L A T E
THE F R E N C H F L E E T M A Y 390.
ON B O A R D
B Y JOHN C U R T I N ( M a y , 1 6 9 2 )
V I C T O R Y OVER THE F R E N C H 389.
171
R E L A T I O N OF A
PRESSED
O B T A I N E D O'ER THE F R E N C H F L E E T 388.
(April, 1692)
UNGRATEFUL
209
LEWIS W H O
F O U G H T AGAINST H I S
OLD
F R I E N D WITH AN A C C O U N T OF H I S T A K I N G THE D E V I L ' S HOUSE 396.
(JUNE, 1 6 9 2 )
213
T H E D I S S A T I S F I E D S U B J E C T OR COVETOUSNESS THE D E STRUCTION OF R E L I G I O N AND L O Y A L T Y
397.
(June, 1692) .
217
T H E V A L I A N T D A M S E L G I V I N G A N A C C O U N T OF A M A I D W H O P U T H E R S E L F IN M A N ' S A P P A R E L AND L I S T E D FOR A SOLDIER FOR THE W A R S OF F L A N D E R S [xiv]
(June, 1692)
221
CONTENTS 398.
THE
IMPRISONED
COMMANDER
CONTAINING
THE
SUB-
STANCE OF A L E T T E R TO H I S L A D Y IN E N G L A N D (JUNE, 1692) 399.
225
T H E B L O O D Y F I G H T OF F L A N D E R S WITH AN A C C O U N T OF THE F I E R C E B A T T L E B E T W E E N THE E N G L I S H AND THE F R E N C H F O R C E S (JULY 2 3 , 1 6 9 2 )
400.
228
A R O Y A L L E T T E R FROM A M O U R N F U L M O N A R C H A T S T . GERMAINS
TO H I S
F R I E N D L E W I S THE F R E N C H
KING
(JULY 2 3 , 1 6 9 2 ) 401.
232
T H E T R U E PROTESTANTS' CONTEMPLATION CONTAINING SERIOUS THOUGHTS OF THE M I R A C U L O U S D E L I V E R A N C E FROM THE INTENDED I N V A S I O N (AUGUST 3 , 1 6 9 2 ) .
402.
K I N G W I L L I A M T R I U M P H A N T OR T H E
S I E G E OF
.
.
DUN-
KIRK (SEPTEMBER 1 , 1 6 9 2 ) 403.
240
KING WILLIAM'S WELCOME
FROM F L A N D E R S
(OCTOBER
20, 1692) 404.
AN
236
244
EXCELLENT N E W
SONG
CALLED
KING
WILLIAM'S
W E L C O M E H O M E FROM THE W A R S IN F L A N D E R S (OCTOBER 20, 1 6 9 2 ) 405.
248
L O N D O N ' S J O Y OR E N G L A N D ' S H A P P I N E S S IN THE S A F E RETURN
OF O U R
ROYAL
MONARCH
FROM
FLANDERS
(OCTOBER 2 0 , 1 6 9 2 ) 406.
251
T H E L O W - C O U N T R Y SOLDIER OR H I S H U M B L E P E T I T I O N A T H I S R E T U R N INTO E N G L A N D
407.
T H E S H O E M A K E R S ' D E L I G H T OR A THEIR BY
408.
(October,
THE
MANLY
ACTS
RICHARD RIGBY ESSEX
AND
1692?)
.
.
B R I E F A C C O U N T OF
WARLIKE
PERFORMANCES.
(OCTOBER, 1 6 9 2 ? )
MIRACLE
260
OR T H E W O N D E R OF W O N D E R S
(1692?) 409.
264
T H E K E N T I S H W O N D E R OR T H E U N M E R C I F U L F A R M E R ' S MISFORTUNE
410.
THE
(1692?)
TROUBLES
269
OF T H I S W O R L D OR N O T H I N G
BUT POOR M E N ' S L A B O R 411.
CHEAP
(1692?)
273
T H E P O O R M A N ' S C O M P L A I N T OR T H E SORROWFUL L A M ENTATION OF P O O R P L A I N - D E A L I N G
412.
255
THE
CRAFTY
TRADING
SCOTCH P E D L E R
(1692?)
(1692?)
OR T H E D O W N F A L L
278 OF 282
[xv]
CONTENTS 413.
OLD
ENGLAND'S
FARMER'S 414.
NEW
VAINGLORY
OR
THE
BOASTING 287
T H E SHOPKEEPERS' COMPLAINT CONTAINING THE E N T A T I O N OF M A N Y TRADE
415.
SAVE-ALL (169A?)
THE
CITIZENS
LAM-
FOR T H E D O W N F A L L
OF
(169A?)
292
I N N K E E P E R S ' C O M P L A I N T OR T H E C O U N T R Y V I C T -
UALERS'
LAMENTATION
FOR T H E
DEARNESS
OF
MALT
(1692?) 416.
THE
417.
THE
296
FEMALE
SOLDIER
OR
THE
VIRGIN
VOLUNTEER
(1692?)
301
MIDNIGHT
WONDER
OR
THE
RINGING
OF
THE
BELLS (1692) 418.
A
L E T T E R TO S A T I S F Y A L L P E R S O N S T H A T W H I T N E Y
NOT F L E D 419.
304
FROM N E W G A T E
CAPTAIN
WHITNEY'S
ANSWER
IS
. . . .
W H I T N E Y ' S D Y I N G L E T T E R TO H I S M I S T R E S S T H A T T R A Y E D H I M WITH H E R
420.
(January 7, 1693)
309
BE-
( F e b r u a r y 1, 1693) .
CONFESSION
OR
HIS
L A M E N T A T I O N ON T H E D A Y OF H I S E X E C U T I O N
FEBRU-
ARY I, 1693 421.
422.
THE
320
P E N I T E N T R O B B E R OR T H E W O F U L
OF C A P T A I N J A M E S
WHITNEY
HONOR'S
AN
CALL
OR
LAMENTATION
ON F E B R U A R Y
INVITATION
TO
THE
I, 1693
.
1,
1693)
32 9
A N E W C O P Y OF V E R S E S U P O N K I N G W I L L I A M ' S
GOING
T O F L A N D E R S A N D H I S T A K I N G L E A V E OF Q U E E N
MARY
(APRIL I , 1 6 9 3 ) 424.
332
A N E X C E L L E N T N E W SONG C A L L E D C A P T A I N
WINTER'S
L A S T F A R E W E L L TO T H E W O R L D W H O W A S
EXECUTED
ON M A Y 425.
17, 1693
335
A N E X C E L L E N T N E W C O P Y OF V E R S E S ON J O H N F O S T E R WHO W A S TRIED
FOR S T E A L I N G A M A G P I E A N D
CAGE
(JUNE 8 , 1 6 9 3 ) 426.
THE
339
VALIANT COLONEL
CONTAINING H I S
WHOLESOME
A D V I C E TO T H E M I L I T I A I N T H E B E H A L F OF H I S AND COUNTRY 427.
325
ENGLISH
Y O U T H TO J O I N IN T H E D E S C E N T ON F R A N C E (APRIL
423.
313
PENITENT
THE
LATE
BLOODY
FIGHT IN F L A N D E R S WITH AN
C O U N T OF T H E N U M B E R S S L A I N ON B O T H S I D E S 19»
I6
KING
(ABOUT JULY 1 9 , 1 6 9 3 )
93)
344 AC(JULY 348
[ xvi ]
The Tepys
ballads
342
The boon companions v, 95, roman and italic type, two columns, musical score printed. Other copy: Lord Crawford, No. 1246, printed by C. Barnet in 1696. Obviously, however, Charles Bates printed the Pepys copy shortly after January 3, 1691, when the Jacobite invasion plot of Lord Preston (see Nos. 339, 340) was ended by his arrest and imprisonment. To the threatened French invasion reference is made in stanzas 5, 6. Here a group of so-called good fellows, roaring and fuddling in a tavern, declare their loyalty to William III, but vow to show it in adding to his revenues by drinking and smoking, not by fighting as do those who set no value on their own lives. Apparently the ballad is not satirical. It is plagiarized by, or is a plagiarism of, " T h e PotCompanions" (No. 343), which, by the way, refers to Queen Mary, and thus makes a date of 1696 out of the question. The music and the words for Fond boy are in the Pepys collection, v, 184; see also No. 133.
[3D
T H E P E P Y S BALLADS J3oon Companions. M*
Mtttp
of SFFFOLK'H
GRWAAI%
To the Tune of, Fond Boy.
lücenöeb attorbmg to ©rber. ι
Τ 7 T 7 Έ are the bold Suffolk boon revelling Boys, V V Who will fill both the Tavern & Ale-house with noise; For the Liquor of life we do dearly adore, When the bottles are empty we'll thunder for more, For to make our hearts chearful we'll merrily sing, With a rousing full Bumper to Casar, our King.
ι
We'll rise with the Morning, keep pace with the Sun, We'll begin with a gallon, and end with a tun, For there's nothing like Drinking to chear up the soul, Then about with a Bumper, a cherishing bowl; All the Cares of the world are but madness, you know, We will drown them in Rivers where Nector does flow.
3
Be nimble brave Τapster, and bring us more beer, Let not honest good fellows sit lazily here, Here's a bumper to him that is true to his friend, And there's more money got than we ever shall spend; Therefore bring us a paper of Excellent Fogo, That we here may perfume the whole house with a Hogo.
4
In matters of State we will ne'er be concern'd, We're a pack of boon fellows, who only have learn'd Here the true way of Drinking, and that is our pride, Therefore let it come in like a full flowing tide, And let them go to War that takes pleasure therein, We do think it more safe to sleep in a whole skin.
5
Tho' the French they were landed, as some have recounted And tho' they had a hundred large Cannons all mounted, Likewise Lewis of France for to head these fine fellows, Yet the devil a foot would we sturfrom the Ale-house, But we'd each man be arm'd with a pipe and his pot, Thus we'd smother and drown'd the Monsieur on the spot.
[4]
T H E BOON COMPANIONS 6
If Monsieur should venture to come on this shore, From the Alehouse & Tavern our bombs they should roar, While our smoak from the windows like vapors shall fly, Or a thick misty cloud for to darken the sky: Thus we'd stand to our drink like each man to his gun, And it is not the French that should make us to run.
7
Thus we are good subjects and friends to the Crown, In letting full bumpers go merrily down; And a new sort of Custom we constantly raise, For the smoaking his Nose e'ry good fellow pays, Thus our smoaking does cause the Kings Custom to rise, And the fuddling advances the Royal Excise.
8
We needs must acknowledge we take no delight For to go to the Wars there to quarrel and fight, We had rather in love stay at home with our Wives, And let them go that never did value their lives, Yet we'll drink a full bumper now merrily round, A good Health to the King with our knees to the ground.
9
Here's a Health to true hearts that are honest and just, Who was never unfaithful nor false to their trust, Such as those we admire above any other, I hope you will pledge this good health honest brother, It is better for us to sit honestly sotting, Than to live to be hang'd for Cabelling and Plotting. Printed for Charles Bates at the White-Hart in West-Smithfield.
[5]
343 The pot-companions ν, 98, roman and italic type, two columns, stanzas numbered in arabic numerals, musical score printed. " T h e Pot-Companions" is a shameless borrowing made by J . Millet from Charles Bates's "The Boon Companions" (No. 342), or else the shamelessness is due to Bates's thievery. There are barely enough differences in the titles and the wording of the two ballads to deceive unwary buyers, as well as the unsuspecting owner of the original text. Other instances of this kind of borrowing are pointed out in the introductions to Nos. 3 1 5 and 317, and in each Millet is concerned. In this particular case, however, Millet may have borrowed direct from Nathaniel Thompson's A Choice Collection of 180 Loyal Songs, 1685,1694, pp. 3 1 0 - 3 1 1 , where an earlier version of the ballad (beginning, as here, "Come make a good toast and stir up the fire") appears; or from the original broadside issue (Bodleian, Wood 417 C93Ü)> followed by Thompson himself, that appeared in 1682 under the title of "The Pot Companions: Or, Drinking and Smoaking preferr'd before Caballing and Plotting. By a new Moddel'd Gang of honest brave Fellows, That neither are Tories nor Whiggs in an Alehouse. To a Play-house Tune, call'd, Thus all the day long we are frolick and gay: Or, We'l teach the little Dogs, &c."
[6]
THE
POT-COMPANIONS
®fje -Companions: Drinking anb Smoaking prefer'b before Caballing anb Plotting. To an Excellent New Tune; Or, the Loyal Health, &c.
ILittniel·
accorbing to ©rber.
ι
/ ^ O r a e make a good Toast, and stir up the Fire, V ^ A n d fill the great Tankard of what we admire; Then bring in a Paper of Excellent Fogo, T h a t we may Perfume the whole House with a Hogo: And here let us sit like honest brave Fellows, T h a t neither are Tories nor Whigs in an Alehouse. And here let us sit like honest brave Fellows, That neither are Tories nor Whigs in an Alehouse.
ι
Let Politick Statesmen Grave Cojfee Espouse, While we in more general Liquors Carouse; Let News-Letters, Libels, and Banter fill up The Paper-skull'd Fops, while we Tipple the Cup: Our Heads are more solid, our Hearts are more true, Each Man has his load, yet no Treason we spue. Our Heads, &c.
3
Tho' the French were all Landed, as some have recounted, Tho' they had a hundred great Cannon all mounted; And Lewis himself did Head these brave Fellows, The Devil a foot wou'd we stir from the Alehouse: B u t e'ry Man Arm'd with his Pipe and his Pot, W e ' d smother or drown the Monsieurs on the Spot. But e 'ry Man, &c.
4
But we meddle not with the French or the Dutch, But Drink in plain English, and that very much; We broach no new Shams of the one side or t'other, B u t e'ry Man tops a full Glass to his Brother: For better it is to be honestly Sotting, Than soberly Hang for Caballing and Plotting. For better it is, &c.
C7]
THE PEPYS BALLADS 5
We care not a pin for the Humours o' th' People, Nor trouble our heads about Building Pauls Steeple; The Feuds of the Nation are nothing to us, Tho' some are so busy & keep such a Fuss; While Commonwealth's hatch'd by their whining and winking, The Monarchy thrives by our Smoaking and Drinking. While Commonwealth's, &c.
6
Thus we are good Subjects and Friends to the Crown, In letting full Bumpers go merrily down: A new sort of Chimney-rent also we raise, For funking his Nose e'ry Good-fellow pays: Our Smoaking does cause the Kings Customs to rise, And Fuddling advances the Royal Excise. Our Smoaking, &c.
7
We raise no Disputes that belong to the Pulpit, Nor start from our Text, but profoundly we gulp it; We have not amongst us a Canting Presbiter, But all honest Souls that will stand by the Miter: The Crown and the Miter we all will defend, Here's a Health to them both, and so let us end, 'The Crown, &c.
8
Then away to the King, let the Tankard go round, And he that won't Pledge it I doubt is not Sound; To the Queen and the rest of the Royal old Blood, To the Bishops, and all that are Loyal and Good: To the Lords & the Commons, & other good Christianas'] But Guard us, good Lord, from the whining Philistians To the Lords & the Commons, and other good Christians But Guard us, good Lord, from the whining Philistians. Printed and Sold by J. Millet, at the Angel in Little-Brittain.
[8]
344 The sea-martyrs ν , 375~375a, roman and italic type, four columns. Reprinted in Sir C. H . Firth's Naval Songs, pp. 1 4 0 - 1 4 3 . " T h e S e a - M a r t y r s " is a violent attack on the administration of the n a v y and on the king and queen which must have brought some satisfaction to P e p y s , the secretary of the admiralty deprived of office by the revolution of 1688. I t tells how, merely for asking for their p a y , " some " seamen were put to death. T h e writer takes the opportunity to state that the new king and queen are altogether merciless in spite of their reputation for mercy. T h e y sit on " t h e i r father's t h r o n e " only because an English n a v y by its courage and loyalty has kept back the hostile French; yet they refuse to p a y their defenders, but instead hang them and reward foreigners, that is, Dutchmen and Germans. T h e only way out of a bad situation is for Parliament to assert itself. This is a most interesting ballad because its hostility is not due to Jacobitism. I presume that it was written early in J a n u a r y , 1 6 9 1 . 1 Luttrell (n, 144), under the date of December 18, 1690, mentions that " s o m e seamen belonging to the Suffolk man of war, having mutinied for want of their p a y , are secured and sent to the Marshalsea in order to their triall." T h a t a few of them, at least, were executed is suggested by the ballad; but that the new queen was not so merciless as the balladist says is proved by Luttrell's further note (p. 174) of February 7: " T h e seamen which formerly belonged to the Suffolk and had deserted the same, had been tryed and condemned, but the queen had been pleased since to pardon them; and so they were sent on board again." William was at this time in Holland. In 1691 the Suffolk was commanded by the E a r l of D a n b y , with Lionel R i p l y and Thomas Acton as lieutenants. 1
Stanza 3, however, may be a reference to the battle of La Hogue (May, 1692). Richard Lapthorne (The Port/edge Papers, 1928, p. 152) tells of two sailors hanged for mutiny on November 1 1 , 1692.
[9]
THE PEPYS
BALLADS
Φ & , ® f j e teamen's! «ab ^lamentation for tfjeir Jfattfjful £>erbite, Ρ ab Pap, anb Cruel Ugage. JScing a tooful delation f)oto some of tfjem toere unmerciful!? put to ©eatij foe preying for tfjeir iPap,tofjentfjeir jfamtlieg Were like to starbe. Thus our New Government does Subjects serve, And leaves them this sad choice to hang or starve. To the Tune of Banstead Downs. ι
S Ood People, do but lend an Ear, Μ And a sad Story you shall hear, W • A sadder you never heard, ^ — ^ Of due Desert and base Reward, Which will English Subjects fright For our New Government to fight.
ι
Our Seamen are the onely Men That o'er the French did Vict'ry gain, They kept the Foe from landing here, Which would have cost the Court full dear; And when they for their Pay did hope, They were rewarded with a Rope.
3
The roaring Canon they ne'er fear'd, Their Lives and Bloud they never spar'd; Through Fire and Flame their Courage flew, No Bullets could their Hearts subdue. Had they in Fight but flincht at all King James had now been in Whitehall.
4
Thus England, and our New King too, Their Safety to their Valour owe; Nay, some did 'gainst their Conscience fight, To do some Great Ones too much Right; And now, oh barbarous Tyranny! Like Men they fought, like Dogs they dye.
[ίο]
THE
SEA-MARTYRS
5
Thousands of them their Lives did lose In fighting stoutly with their Foes, And thousands were so maim'd in Fight, T h a t 'twas a sad and piteous sight; And when they hop'd their Pay to gain T h e y have their Labour for their Pain.
6
Their starving Families at home Expected their slow Pay would come; But our proud Court meant no such thing, N o t one Groat must they have till Spring; T o starve all Summer would not do, T h e y must still starve all Winter too.
7
It might a little ease their Grief, And give their Mis'ry some relief, Might they in Trade Ships outward go, But that poor Boon's denied them too; Which is as much as plain to say, Y o u shall earn nothing, nor have Pay.
8
Their poor Wives with Care languished, Their Children cried for want of Bread, Their Debts encreast, and none would more Lend them, or let them run oth' score. In such a case what could they doe But ask those who did Money owe?
9
Therefore some bolder than the rest The Officers for their Own request, T h e y call'd 'em Rogues, and said, Nothing Was due to them untill the Spring: The King had none for them they said, Their Betters they must first be paid.
io
The honest Seamen then replied T h e y could no longer Want abide, And that Nine hundred thousand Pound Was giv'n last year to pay them round, Their Money they had earnt full dear, And could not stay another half Year. C i i ]
THE PEPYS BALLADS 11
A Council then they streight did call Of Pick-thanks made to please Whitehall, And there they were adjudg'd to dye; But no Man knows wherefore, nor why. What times are these! Was't ever known Twas Death for Men to ask their own ?
12
Yet some seem'd milder than the rest, And told them, that their Fault confest, And Pardon askt, and humbly crav'd, Their Lives perhaps might then be sav'd: But they their Cause scorn'd to betray, Or own't a Crime to ask their Pay.
13
Thus they the Seamens Martyrs dyed, And would not yield to unjust Pride, Their Lives they rather would lay down Than yield it sin to ask their own. Thus they for Justice spent their Blood, To do all future Seamen good.
14
Wherefore let Seamen all and some, Keep the days of their Martyrdom, And bear in mind these dismal times, When true Men suffer for false Crimes; England ne'er knew the like till now, Nor e'er again the like will know.
15
But now suppose they had done ill, In asking Pay too roughly, still When 'twas their due, and Need so prest, They might have Pardon found at least; The King and Queen some mercifull call, But Seamen find it not at all.
16
To Robbers, Thieves, and Felons, they Freely grant Pardons ev'ry day; Only poor Seamen, who alone Do keep them in their Fathers Throne, Must have at all no Mercy shown: Nay, tho there wants fault, they'l find one.
THE SEA-MARTYRS 17
Where is the Subjects Liberty? And eke where is their Property ? We're forc'd to fight for nought, like Slaves, And though we do, we 're hang'd like Knaves. This is not like Old Englands ways, New Lords, new Laws, the Proverb says.
18
Besides the Seamens Pay, that's spent, The King for Stores, Ships, and what's lent, Does owe Seven Millions at the least, And ev'ry year his Debt's encreast; So that we may despair that we One quarter of our Pay shall see.
19
Foreigners and Confederates Get poor Men's Pay, rich Men's Estates; Brave England does to ruine run, And Englishmen must be undone. If this "Trade last but one half Year, Our Wealth and Strength is spent, I fear.
20
God bless our noble Parliament, And give them the whole Government, That they may see we're worse than ever, And us from lawless Rule deliver; For England's sinking, unless they Do take the Helm, and better sway.
[ 1 3 ]
345 The royal dialogue ii, 330, black letter and roman type, three columns, four woodcuts. In an earlier ballad (No. 286) Queen M a r y is represented as trying to prevent William from going in person to Ireland. Evidently his success there convinced her of the necessity of his first trip to Holland; so that she offers no objections to it but, indeed, urges him to go, evincing complete confidence both in the justice of his cause and in his ultimate triumph. T h e ballad was written on or about January 16, when the king left London (see Memoirs of Mary, ed. R. Doebner, p. 35). He reached Holland on January 20 (Luttrell, 11, 165) " a f t e r a dangerous passage. His majestie on the 19th, being in his yatch, was informed by a fisherman that he was near the shore, whereon he left the yatch, attended by . . . [seven persons], and went off in a small chaloup or two, thinking to land in an hour or two; but finding themselves mistaken, being further from the land then they imagined, and a great fogg arising, so that they had lost sight of the ships, and the flakes of ice being great, they thought it safest to lye still all night." T h e next day he landed in safety. "Licensed according to the order" is a most unusual phrase. For the tune see No. 137.
[14]
THE ROYAL
vme
DIALOGUE
ΒΜ%Φuttes& of
William
ä
^rmö. T h e Tune is New News and Tidings:
ι
Τ E T Drums beat and Trumpets sound, -'—'Let Bells ring the Nation round; let Bonfires Flame to parly with the Stars: L e t ' s this Ioyful Tidings Sing, Of our most Victorious King, who now returns with Triumph from the Wars.
2
Let full flowing Bumpers roar, Let Caps lye on the Floor, let Conduits run abundantly with Wine; Let us chearfully declare, We true Loyal Subjects are, assisters to King William s great Design.
3
Come Boys fill's a spacious Glass, And to William let it pass the Hands of all our Noble English Peers;
[75]
THE PEPYS BALLADS Why should not this Royal Gem, Wear the Golden Diadem, whose Equal was not Born this many years ? 4
At his first Arrival here, England was in deadly fear of downfal, by the hand of Rome; But this rare Low-Country Pearl, With Prince, Marquess, Duke and Earl, did quickly make the stoutest of them run.
5
When late James had fixt his Train, Richly Arm'd on Salisbury Plain, though they in note and number did excel; Yet when they heard of his report, Many had good laughing sport, they ran and never bid their King farewel.
6
Now, now, King William's safe at home, The bravest Prince in Christendom, whose very Name through all the World doth ring, No Prince that ever wore a Crown, Did ever gain so much Renown, as this most Noble and Victorious King.
7
Fame told us into Flanders, With all his great Commanders, this Royal Monarch bravely took his way, The Power of France he dreaded not, No nor the Thundring Cannon 1 shot, he smil'd to hear the wide-mouth'd Guns to play.
8
When wounded Men on every side, With heavy groans fell down and dy'd; his Princely Heart was not with fear possest: Says he, come on my English Boys, Our Trumpets make a pleasant noise, these noble Words his Royal mouth exprest.
1
7*ext Cannot.
[76]
THE COUNTRY'S
LOYALTY
9
T h e Town of Möns so much renown'd, He would have Batter'd to the ground, had not the fearful French forsook the Town, But they his coming durst not stay, They left the Town and run away, thus he came off with Triumph and Renown.
ιο
The bloody Wars are ended, Which Lewis once intended should quite consume the Realm of Ireland: Most of his famous Captains slain, The rest do Prisoners remain, and France it self in no good case doth stand.
11
Of late in Noble manner, T o Englands Fame and Honour, his high undaunted manly Force was seen; He vows to Fight with Heart and Hand, So long as he can go or stand, for to defend his Kingdoms and his Queen.
12
The Fame of English Men is spread As far as Ρ he bus shews his Head; report of them flies swiftly up and down: Stout Cavendish that Heroick Peer, And brave Vndaunted Delamere, Made all the Tories tremble at their frown.
13
Now, now let us rejoyce and sing, Let us applaud our gracious King, who lately gave so many French their Doom; He boldly ventured Life and Limb, Then let us bravely follow him, and pitch our Standards at the Gates of Rome.
[77]
361
T'he loyal subjects' prayers Ii, 318, black letter, three columns, two woodcuts. After the fall of Möns (stanza 7) William returned to England on April 13, but his stay there was of short duration. On M a y 1 he left Kensington, and next day sailed for Holland, attended by Rearadmiral Rook's squadron. A t six o'clock Sunday morning, M a y 3, he reached Holland in safety. The loyal subjects' " p r a y e r s " were not answered. Instead of conquering Louis, William engaged " in one of the most futile campaigns of the war. The two armies marched and counter-marched according to the most approved rules of warfare, but neither could take the other at a sufficient disadvantage to justify an engagement" (Lodge, The History 0/ England (1660-IJ02), P· 375)· For the tune see No. 134.
[78]
T H E L O Y A L SUBJECTS'
PRAYERS
tEfje Hopal gmtyecte $ r a p e r g fot
»ins
4£οοϊ» gmcceee
ong. ipetetoabmg all ctbtl attb siofaet iflen not to frequent tije Coffe-houses go mutf), tofjetfjcr in London, Wapping, Westminster, Ot Common-Garden. lUteneeb according to orrotoful E i n s «
l a m e n t a t i o n : iEogetfjer, toitfj a H o r b of Comfort of tijc &ööurante of tontinueti Jfabours in tfje Court of France. Tune of, The Ring of Gold.
Hiceneeb accorbing to ©rbcr. ι
/ "T"\E11
me thou Mournful King, A why dost thou blame me? This does fresh sorrows bring, when as you name me T o be the cause alone, of this sad story; This I will still disown, I strove for Glory.
ι
As I will make appear by this Relation, A Learned Roman Peer in Consultation, Study'd for our Renown, and did endeavour For to entail the Crown on Rome for ever.
3
We had no Papist Son to Reign hereafter; Something was to be done then in this matter; Though I was young and fair, my Lord was feeble; T o get a Lawful Heir, thou wast not able.
4
Therefore I did contrive a young Impostor, Which might our days survive, whom we did foster; [14Ο
THE PEPYS
BALLADS
But Dukes, Lords, Earls beside would not believe us; Among themselves they cry'd, none shall deceive us. 5
In this my Royal Name why will you mention ? When I for lasting Fame wrack'd my Invention: It was to raise an Heir to be anointed; This was m y Royal Care, though disappointed.
6
W h y art thou thus cast down ? this is a folly, Since thou hast lost the Crown, be brisk and Jolly; T h y Glory does advance still out of measure; Here in the Court of France there's Joy and Pleasure.
7
Lewis le Grand, I know, he'll not forsake thee, B u t Royal kindness show, and strives to make thee Greater than any one, let nothing grieve thee, Love, for my sake alone he'll never leave thee.
8
I prize this present Court before Great Brittain, Where right renowned sport still is repeating: In streams of sweet delight, and Golden Treasure; I revel D a y and Night here out of measure. [142]
A N S W E R TO T H E M O U R N F U L 9
Then cast thy care away, safety admire; While we no Scepter sway, none will Conspire Against us day nor night, Subject nor Stranger; This Crowns me with delight, seated from danger.
Printed for B. J. 1691.
[143]
MONARCH
377 General GinkeVs conquest ν, 8i, roman and italic type, two columns, stanzas numbered in large roman numerals. This ballad goes into considerable detail about the siege of Limerick, telling how, after the fight at Thomond Gate, Colonel Francis Wauchop, a brave Scottish officer on the Irish side, requested the besiegers to grant Patrick Sarsfield an interview, 1 and how a parley was arranged, with Prince George of Hesse Darmstadt and Lieutenantgeneral Scravenmore representing the English army. Limerick surrendered to General Ginkel on October 3; on the following day, as stanza 6 tells us, the Irish troops marched out, those who wished to be transported to France to fight under Louis X I V turning off at a specified point, those who wished to remain in Ireland passing beyond it. T h e fall of Limerick made William I I I supreme in Ireland, a fact over which the ballad-writer rejoices. For the tune see Nos. 306 and 346. On Thomas Moore see No. 139. 1 " C o l . Wahop looking out of a Tower, called to Lieutenant-General Scravenmore, and desired Leave to come and speak with him, which was g r a n t e d " (London Gazette, October 5-8).
[ 144]
G E N E R A L G I N K E L ' S CONQUEST Sin excellent jfreto 0 1 1 1 1 ® , (general (ginfele'jS Conquest, ©t tije g>urrentier of Htmertcfe. Φο tfje great Stop of all ^roteötantö. To the Tune of,
Let the Souldiers Rejoyce. Witt) aUotoarut.
χ
Τ E T the Nation be glad, JLyAnd each true hearted Lad Rejoyce, for Lim—ricks surrender; Set the Bells all to Ring, Whilst each Protestant Sings All Joy to, all Joy to brave Ginkle Commander.
1
Tho' Sarsfield's whole Force, That 's composed of Horse, Was got to the To—wn in the Night Boys, When a Sally they made, We the Irish so paid, That they scamper'd, they scamper'd, & run like to Dear Joys.
3
The Walls of their Town, Which our Balls have beat down, Has put the Besie—g'd in Confusion, And our Bombs which were thrown, So much mischief have done, To surrender, surrender is now the Conclusion.
4
Brave Ginkle s whole Force, Beat the Enemies Horse, And kill'd of the I—risk Six Hundred, And without more adoe, 300 Prisoners took too, Whilst they in the, they in the Town gaz'd and wonder'd.
5
A white Flag they hung out, Which appeased the Stout, And straitways for Ho—stages changed; Brave Scravenmore went in, And Prince Hesse with him, Whilst Sarsfield, and VVahop for them were exchanged. [145]
T H E PEPYS BALLADS It was on the Fourth day Of October, I say, The strong Town of Li-merick that Wonder, Was left by their Force, Both of Foot and of Horse, To the English, the English, to Enter and Plunder. Now may Ireland be, From the Rapparees free, Since K. William has a—11 the strong places, May they all now submit, Or the Land forc'd to quit, And never more, never more dare show their Faces. Let the Guns in the Tower, Be discharged each hour, While our Drums beat, and Trum—pets are sounding; Let us all now advance, 'Gainst the Power of France, To the Monsieurs, the Monsieur s utter Confounding. London, Printed and Sold by T. Moore.
[146]
1691.
37» England's joy ν, 82, roman and italic type, two columns. This ballad deals with William's second and his most futile campaign in the Low Countries, beginning M a y 3 , 1 6 9 1 , and ending with his return to London on October 19. Neither the French nor the Dutch-English army dared risk an engagement. Some say this was policy on the part of the French, the ballad remarks; others, that it was cowardice. Anyhow, King William is once again at Whitehall, and we can be glad of that. Indeed, one news-letter (Calendar of State Papers, Domestic, 1690-1691, p. 547) declared of William's return, " W e had the greatest rejoicing with guns, bonfires, and illuminations with candles in windows that I ever saw. For the tune see No. 305.
[147]
THE PEPYS BALLADS ©ft,1
eitglanb'a 3f©g>, Itfnß ®HtIHam öafelp grrtbeb j f & © M Jf Tune of, //«r/ir, Hark
ι
and yonder.
"Witt)
iällotoantt.
~ p H E JACOBITES do wonder A To hear the Guns so Thunder, King WILLIAM is come, Hear the Beat of the Drum, And the Trumpets sounding yonder; All the B E L L S do Ring too, Whilst each L A D , Whilst each L A D , Drinks the KING's Health with Hearts full glad, What ere the JACOBITES do.
/
2
King WILLIAM in Flanders, With bold and brave Commanders, Did face the French, Whilst they lay Intrench'd, Nought could be seen but Standards, They'r Foot and Horse which fear not Would not Fight, Would not Fight, Some say 'twas Policy out-right, But others say they dare not.
3
The Winter Season coming, Did cause our KING's returning; At Whitehall He's seen W i t h our Gracious QUEEN, And His Subjects all Rejoycing, Let not the Nation now fear, Since Ireland Since Ireland Is all in brave King WILLIAME hands,2 We value not the Monsieur.
1
Text
RO.
a
Read
CHS]
hand.
ENGLAND'S JOY 4
There's Noble Men, and Valiant, I ' m sure that will not fail on't, T o draw the Sword A t our brave K I N G ' s word, 'Gainst Lewis that French Tyrant. And I doubt not but next Campaign The English may The English may In the Heart of France both get the D a y , And the King's health drink in Sham-pain.
5
Y o u Protestants Rejoyce All, Our K I N G is now at Whitehall, What need we to care For those that despair For the Romish Faction's downfall, Let them ne're be thought on, W h i l s t we toss W h i l s t we toss Bumpers off to King WILLIAM's Force, VVhich ne're will be forgotten.
6
How happy is that Nation T h a t ' s free from Popish Faction, I t ' s seldom seen For a K I N G and a Q U E E N Both of Protestant Profession: Here's a People S t o u t 1 and Loyal, T h a t ' s Content T h a t ' s Content With our good K I N G and P A R L I A M E N T , God prosper long their way all. London, Printed and Sold by Τ ho. Moore.
1
Text Stou.
[ 149]
1691.
379 The soldiers catch v, 68, roman and italic type, two columns, stanzas numbered in arabic numerals. Reprinted by C. R . Baskervill, The Elizabethan Jig ( 1 9 2 9 ) , p p . 4 1 3 - 4 1 4 . 1
T h e soldiers' catch is a curious mixture of coarseness and patriotism. It expresses unbounded contempt for the French, the Irish, and the smug London citizens who took no part in the campaign in Ireland. It vows that next summer the war will be carried directly into the territory of Louis X I V , and then ends with heartfelt praise of William and M a r y . " T h e Soldiers' C a t c h " announces that it was sung at Court: probably, too, the playhouses (see stanza 4) heard it, for it was written by Sir Charles Sedley, in whose Miscellaneous Works, 1702, pp. 66-68, another copy will be found. For the tune see Nos. 314 and 346. The publisher is, I suppose, the Samuel Smith who is named in Plomer's Dictionary of Printers, 1668-1725, p. 276. 1 M r . Baskervill remarks (p. 218), " A group of soldiers sing the j i g , and apparently dance it, as the opening line is a demand for ' R o o m boys, r o o m . ' " But that opening is a pure convention of ballad-writing; and there is, in my opinion, no ground for believing that " T h e Soldiers' C a t c h " is a " j i g , " or that it was printed for any other purpose than for sale in the streets as an ordinary ballad.
[150]
T H E SOLDIERS'
CATCH
Wf)e ^altsburp 3Hgg, Hatelp S>ung at Htcettöeb according to Corbet. To the 1 Tune of, Let the Soldiers Rejoyce.
ι
Π Oom boys, room, room boys, room; A V F o r from 2 Ireland we com: We have mawl'd the Original Tories; We have baffled the League Between Monsieur and Teague, And eclips'd the Grand Lewis his Glories.
ι
They all fly in the Field, Their best Garrisons yield, They stand trembling, while we take their Passes. Our brave King at our Head, We fear no Steel, nor Lead, But laugh at their Beads and their Masses.
3
If some Bloud we have spilt. T o compound for the Guilt, In Love's Camp we will do double D u t y ; Mankind we will repair, With the Leave of the Fair, And pay our Arrears to true Beauty.
4
Our worst Noise in the Pit, Shall pass all for good Wit, While the City and the Bumkins adore us. We will pay the Rogues well, Their Wives Bellies shall swell, And the Cuckolds at random shall score us.
5
The next Summer for France. We will boldly advance, Our Noble Redeemer shall lead us:
1
Text the the.
3
Text form.
[151]
THE PEPYS
BALLADS
We will break the Slaves Chains, And drink off their Champains, T o the Health of that Heroe that freed us. 6
He hates Lewis-le-Grand, Like a true English Man, And ne'er will consent to a Treaty, Till each Neighbouring Crown Have what's justly their own, And the French strike Sail when they meet ye.
7
Since 1 Elizabeth's Reign, N o Protestant Queen, We have had, but the present, God bless her.2 Since our Edward the Fourth, N o brave Prince of such worth, But William, his Valiant Successor.
8
With a Queen so devout, And a People so stout; A Parliament that will supply 'em, A Cause that is Right, And a King that will fight, Our Enemies all we defie 'em. Printed for S. Smith, 1691.
1
'text Sinoe.
' T h e r and the period are trimmed off.
[15O
38ο An excellent new song v , 386, roman and italic type, two columns, musical score given. Other copy: Lord Crawford, No. 597. A supposed account of an English fireship, Kate, which worsted a French privateer sometime in 1 6 9 1 . 1 have found no other record of such a fight; and the Kate, evidently not the same ship as the Royal Katherine, does not appear in any of the navy lists I have seen. Indeed, it seems to me certain that the fireship 1 Kate of this ballad is to be interpreted parabolically; in other words, that K a t e was an English harlot who made a luckless Frenchman regret his temporary intimacy with her. Stromboli (stanza 12) is a volcanic island near the straits of Messina, where the French defeated the Spaniards in a naval battle of January, 1675. According to " A n Exact List of Their Majesties and the Dutch Fleet," 1693, and " T h e List of the English Royal N a v y , " 1694, Strumbolo was an English fireship. But in Charles Blount's 'The Plot in a Dream, 1681, Strombolo is called " t h e supposed place of Purgatory." " W e were," says Blount (pp. 2-3, 136), " b y force of Winds carried to the utmost parts of Italy, amongst the burning Islands; the chiefest of which is Strombolo, commonly affirmed by the Petropolitans of those Countries to be the Jaws of Hell, and that therein the damned Souls are tormented"; " I observed another of our Strombolians, a Seminary. . . . Strombolo itself could not afford a more ugly Visage." 1
See the use of this (metaphorical) phrase in No. 367, stanza 3.
[153]
THE PEPYS BALLADS &n «Excellent ft.eto 8 föot engagement JSettoeen & French $rtbateer, anb an English ι
T ' M a Prize for a Captain to fall on, A my Name it is Sea faring Kate: My Sails they are Top and Top Gallon, a Friggot that's of the First Rate. With a ja la la, &c.
2
A French Man came lately to Press me, which was not a very hard thing, And swore that he first wou'd embrace me, And Loaden me then for the King, With a ja la la, &c.
3
Last Summer he Saild from the Shannon, and long at an Anchor had red, On his Mid Ship he had a good Cannon, which was all the great Guns that he had. With a ja la la, &c.
4
His Main Yard he hoized, and Steered his Course; and gave me a Broad Side: My Poop and my Starn Port sheered, betwixt the Wind, Water, and Tide. With a ja la la, &c.
5
Still under his Lee I did hover, with all the force I could afford, But as he had been a rank Rover, he briskly did lay me on Board. With a ja la la, &c.
6
He looked for some hidden Treasure, And fell to his doing of Feats, But found me a Fire-ship of Pleasure, When he enter'd the mouth of the Straits, With a ja la la, &c.
[154]
A N E X C E L L E N T N E W SONG 7
It was a high Tide, and the Weather With an easterly Gale it did blow: Our Frigats were foul of each other, And could not get off, nor ride so, With a fa la la, &c.
8
My Bottom was strongly well planked, M y Deck could a Tempest endure, But ne'er was poor Dog in a Blanket So tossed, as was the Monsieur, With a fa la la &c.
9
No near, than his Course he still steered, and clap'd his hand down to his Sword; But as his Love takle he cleared, I brought down his Main Top by the Board, With a fa la la, &c.
ιο
Then he feared to burn a Sea-Martyr, for my Gun-Room was all in a Fire, And I blew up my second Deck Quarter, just as he began to retire, With a fa la la, &c.
Ii
I pepper'd him off from the Centre, Monsieur was ne'er serv'd so before; I burnt his Main Yard at a venter, So that he will press me no more, With a fa1 la la, &c.
11
Then Monsieur got off, and was grieved, and cursed the English first Rates, But till then he could never believe it, That Strumbulo lay in the Straits, With a fa la2 la, &c. Printed by T . Moore, for S. Green.
1
Text fat.
1
Text ca.
[155]
1691.
3
8 i
France outwitted v , 125, roman and italic type, two columns. Charles Lennox, D u k e of Richmond (1672-1723), natural son of Charles II b y Louise Renee de Keroualle, Duchess of Portsmouth, was in February, 1692, dismissed b y Louis X I V " f r o m being captain of a troop, for his remisnesse in his exercise." Thereupon (see stanza 4), " h a v i n g taken away his mothers jeweils, is escaped from Paris to Switzerland, and thence intended for Germany, and soe, as beleiv'd, to come for E n g l a n d " (Luttrell, 11, 361). He reached London on February 25, and proceeded to make his peace with William I I I , under whom he later served in Flanders. 1 N o mention of the " restoration " of the jewels is made in Mrs. Colquhoun Grant's life of the duchess, Brittany to Whitehall, 1909, or in Η . N . Williams's Rival Sultanas, 1915; but Luttrell (1,328) reported in February, 1685, that when the duchess started for France she had " m a n y of the crown j e w e i l s " — a fact referred to in stanza 6. Articles of High-Treason, And other high Crimes and Misdemeanours, Against the Dutchess of Portsmouth (ca. 1680?) had enumerated " v a s t , prodigious S u m s " which she was transporting " t o a Nation by Religion, Interest and Practice, an Enemy to our Religion and Government; to the weakning and impoverishing of our Nation, and the strengthning and enriching of our Adversaries." J. W . was probably John Wallis or Jeremiah Wilkins. H e dated the colophon in old style. For the tune see N o . 304. 1 Peter Motteux writes in The Gentleman s Journal, March, 1692, p. 25: " T h e Duke οϊ Richmond having privately left France and his Command there, by the way of Holland is arrived into England, and hath declared himself a Protestant. His Majesty receiv'd him very kindly, and he carried the Sword before His Majesty to the Chappel the Sunday before the last."
[156]
FRANCE
OUTWITTED
j f ranee utttss anb safe Return. Tune of, March Boys, &c.
Hiiensieii accorbtng to # r b c r . ι
I D O y s sound the Trumpet, beat the Drum, -LJthe Summer is drawing on a main, King William (the glory of Christendom) is over in Flanders once again; Whose Courage and Conduct is well known, his Enemies they may dread his Power, For he has an Army now of his own, which soon will make proud Lewis scower; Sound Boys, sound Boys, Tan-ta-ra-ra-ra-ra, this is the Musick sweet of Flanders, While our King, in the Flourishing Spring, does head his Troops and brave Commanders.
ι
Kind Neptune he wafted him over in love, and Landed him safe at the Holland Hague, T h a t like a Heroe now he may prove, to Lewis of France a perpetual plague, The Cannons was roaring, and Bells did ring, in token how dearly they adore him, All crying, Long live great William the King, and may he Conquer all before him; Sound Boys, sound Boys, Tan-ta-ra-ra-ra-ra, this was the cry of chief Commanders, When he has Fought, put them all to the Rout, let him in Triumph Sail from Flanders.
3
Stout Heroes of Fame, his glory proclaim, while he a Right Valiant Army doth lead, True Boys, that are bred to the Martial game, who never was fearful to Fight and Bleed, [164]
K I N G WILLIAM'S WELCOME TO HOLLAND But up to the face of the Enemy ride, through Vollies of Shot, nay, smoak and fire, Still cutting and hewing on ev'ry side, untill they make the Foes retire; Sound Boys, sound Boys, Tan-ta-ra-ra-ra-ra, this is the cry of chief Commanders, King William he, let him gain Victory, and so return with Fame from Flanders. 4
While flourishing Colours we display, like English souldiers, with shouts of Joy, We'll enter the Battel and Bloody fray, the troops of the Enemy to destroy; Nay Thundering Balls shall batter down, the Battlements high, and Pallizadoes King William shall conquer and gain renown, in spight of France and their Bravadoes, Sound Boys, sound Boys, Tan-ta-ra-ra-ra-ra, this is the cry of chief Commanders, King William he, let him gain Victory, and so return with Fame from Flanders.
5
Last Summer the French-men durst not face, K. Williams great Army stout and bold, Lest they should return home with disgrace, for why, he had Noble hearts of Gold, Yet now he will have full five for one, stout Lads that will fight for fame & treasure Let Lewis beware, they shake his Throne, and let him know their high displeasure; Sound Boys, sound Boys, 'Tan-ta-ra-ra-ra-ra, this is the cry of chief Commanders, King William he, let him gain Victory, and so Return with Fame from Flanders.
6
His Conquering Sword shall Triumph gain, and Lawrels his Royal Head shall Crown, While he does enjoy a flourishing Reign, the glory of France we'll trample down, [165]
T H E PEPYS BALLADS Proud Lewis, brave boys, that Christian Turk, this Summer we Reckon to bring under, Resolved we are to make sure work, and charge him home with Peals of thunder Sound Boys, sound Boys, Tan-ta-ra-ra-ra-ra, this is the cry of chief Commanders, King William he, let him gain Victory, and so Return with Fame from Flanders. Printed for P. Brooksby, J. Deacon, J. Blare, J. Back.
C166]
1692.
3^4 The royalfavors of King William π , 309, black letter, three columns, two woodcuts. On March 4, 1692, William set out for Holland, which, according to The London Gazette, he reached on the sixth. Shortly afterwards (Luttrell, 11, 399) Thomas Talmash (or Tollemache) and other officers joined him there. The ballad is a fictitious, but pleasant, summary of the speech William made to his army, of the gifts he conferred on Major-general Talmash's veteran regiment and others, and of the rejoicing throughout the ranks. T o his fighters William was generous enough. Thus on M a y 15, 1689, he had knighted Captain Ashby, of the Defiance, and Captain Shovell, of the Edgar, giving to the seamen " a donative" of ten shillings each, or £2600 (Luttrell, 1, 535; cf. 549). " A n Account of Major General Kirks's Safe Arrival at London-Derry" (1689) speaks of " T e n thousand I. which the King sent as a Donative to the Garison." T h e ballad was probably written early in April. It predicts a very successful campaign, but the fall of Namur and the battle of Steenkirk made these predictions appear somewhat foolish. For the tune see Nos. 314 and 346.
[167]
THE PEPYS BALLADS &opal jfabourö οt ΜΆ%%ΜΜ: JSetng tfjc gmbetance of f)ts £>peecf) to ijte Valiant g>oIbiere in FLANDERS. 3« lifeetotöe ^ t a $rmcelp present to tfjem, to iff) tofjtcl) tfjep SBcanfe ftopal HeaWij, tofjtle ©rums toae ^Seating, anb ©rumpetö g>ounbtng tftrougf) ttje tofjole Tune of, Z.c/ Mi Soldiers
Rejoyce.
lUcenieb accorbtng to ©rber.
ι
ι
"IT 7Orthy Gentlemen all, V V Of the Powder and Ball, The Protestant A—rmy of Flanders; Now be all of good Chear, And the Coasts you will clear, You have Valiant, right Valiant and Noble Commanders. Men of Conduct and Skill, That will venture, Boys, still, Therefore I have re—ason to praise 'um; And the Huffing Monsieur, He will tremble for fear, For your courage, your courage, brave boys, will amaze 'um. [168]
T H E ROYAL FAVORS O F K I N G WILLIAM 3
Mighty Princes of late, In the Counsel of State, The Plots of proud Fra—nee has confounded; For we all are agreed, Now to fall on with speed, Therefore Lewis, proud Lewis, will soon be surrounded.
4
Then my brave hearts of Gold, Most Couragious and Bold, All Losses they so—on shall restore us; While the Cannons do Roar, They shall lye in their Gore, And their Army, their Army, we'll drive Boys, before us. 1
5
Nay, my Lads, you shall see, I'11 your General be, Then fear not to fo—llow your Leader; I resolve to March on, Vp to Lewis le Grand, And to lay low, to lay low that lofty high Cedar.
6
Coll'nel Talmask, said he, Here's your Reg'ment I see, Hath two years in Fla—nders resided; Here is Guinnies five score, I will give them therefore, Now be careful, and see it be fairly Divided.
7
Nay, the Army all through, He was Generous to, For they did parta—ke of his Treasure; With a Huzza of Ioy, Crying Vive le Roy, Let us Fight for our King, Boys, and count it a pleasure.
1
The final word is not impressed.
[169]
T H E PEPYS BALLADS 8
Then the Trumpets did sound, All the Army quite round, And rattling Dr—ums they were beating; And e'ry honest Soul, Drank a full flowing Bowl, There was never, was never, a happier Greeting.
Printed for P. Brooksby, J , Deacon, J. Blare, and J . Back.
[ 170]
3»5 England's scorn v, 379, roman and italic type, two columns, stanzas numbered in large roman numerals. Some marks of punctuation are probably trimmed from the ends of lines in the last two stanzas. James II's plans for invading England under the protection of Count de Tourville and the French fleet were known in England early in the year 1692. The invasion was scheduled for April, and probably the ballad was written at that time. It breathes a spirit of complete defiance to James and the French, and its predictions were borne out by the naval victory of L a Hogue on May 19. For the tune see No. 261. The printer was probably John Wallis or Jeremiah Wilkins.
[17O
T H E PEPYS BALLADS
To the Tune of, A Puding, &c.
C
Ome listen to me, brave English Boys, For now 's the time for to lay aside Toys, I'll tell you a Tale that will baffle your Joys; For I am inform'd there's a terrible Noise, Of Invasion.
Monsieur, they say, in a Fury has swore, He'll over, and land on the English Shoar; Though now 'tis an Hundred Years and more, Since Spain did pretend on the very same Score, An Invasion. A terrible Fleet, and Army, He'll bring. Some say, they will surely be here this Spring. The Jacobites threaten us too with their King, That He with his Valour, alass! poor Thing, Will Invade us. Ten thousand Dear Joys are to be in the Van, And they, to be sure, are terrible Men; For they are the same that in Ireland ran, From the Face of our Army, but that's all one, They 71 invade us A Thousand Ships, both small and great, Must come to do this mighty Feat. But hang 'em, they talk at a very mad rate, And none but a Jacobite Rogue would prate, Of Invasion. They boast indeed of some great Lords, And strut like valiant Men in Words: But their tongus are as harmless as their swords, And who'd be afraid of a pack of Turds, To invade us. [ 172]
ENGLAND'S
SCORN
When Valiant William leads us on, Like Mars himself, and we his Sons, Monsieur must quickly change his Tune, And Teague return to his old Hone, Oh! hone. No Invasion. When Noise of Drums and Trumpets roar And English Shouts on Gallick Shore, Then Lewis must ne're be le Grand any more And farewel the Charms of sweet Lewid'or, And invasion. When princes & states shall recover their own And Subjects oppressed shall cease for to moan Then Traytors & Tyranny all shall go down And Monarch Invincible scarce keep his Crown Front invasion. When Liberty, Property, all are secure, The People in Freedom, the King in just Power Then the Blessings of Peace & Religion will showr From above, and continue for many an Hour From invasion. LONDON,
Printed by J. fT. in White Friars, 1692.
[173]
3
8 6
The maiden sailor v , 366, r o m a n a n d i t a l i c t y p e , t w o c o l u m n s . J o h n C u r t i n , a s e a m a n o f t h e Edgar,1 h e r e tells o f h o w a p r e s s - g a n g c a u g h t a p r e t t y collier's l a d , b r o u g h t h i m a b o a r d ship, a n d e n l i s t e d h i m . S h o r t l y , h o w e v e r , t h e " l a d " t u r n s o u t t o be a girl, w h o h a d w i s h e d t o s e r v e on s h i p b o a r d b e c a u s e her s w e e t h e a r t w a s fighting in F l a n d e r s ; a n d C a p t a i n P e d d e r releases her, s o m e w h a t a g a i n s t h e r wishes. C u r t i n writes more crudely than the usual balladist: he h a d h e a r d c o m p a r a t i v e l y f e w s t r e e t s o n g s , or else h a d f o r g o t t e n t h o s e h e h a d h e a r d ; o t h e r w i s e h e w o u l d n o t h a v e t h o u g h t t h e girl's a c t i o n s especially unusual. F o r e x a m p l e , in The Gentleman P e t e r M o t t e u x tells u s t h a t
s Journal,
A p r i l , 1692, p p . 2 2 - 2 3 ,
Courage is so natural to the English, that even the tender Sex, give a frequent mark of theirs: W e have had but two years ago a young L a d y on Board the Fleet in Man's Apparel, who show'd all the Signs of the most undaunted Valour. Several others are still livjng, and some of them in this T o w n , who have served whole Campaigns, and fought stroke by stroke by the most manly Soldiers. T h e last Letters from Genoa gives us an account of an English Heroin who, they tell us, is of quality. She had serv'd two years in the French A r m y in Piedmont as a Volunteer, and was entertained for her Merit by the Governor of Pignerol in the quality of his Gentleman of the Horse; at last playing with another of her Sex, she was discover'd; and the Governor having thought fit to inform the King his Master of this, he hath sent him word that he would be glad to see the L a d y ; which hath occasion'd her coming to Genoa, in order to Imbark for France: Nature has bestowed no less Beauty on her than Courage; and her A g e is not above 26. T h e French E n v o y hath Orders to cause her to be waited on to Marseille, and to furnish her with all necessaries. A g a i n , on N o v e m b e r
19,
1692, L u t t r e l l
(11, 620) w r o t e
that
"a
1 T h e Edgar was a third-rate vessel of 445 men and 72 guns, with a displacement of 774 tons. It was built in 1679. See " A n Exact List of Their Majesties and the Dutch F l e e t , " 1693, " T h e List of the English R o y a l N a v y , " 1694, and " T h e Glory of the British Seas: Being a List of the R o y a l N a v y , " 1697. Captain Pedder is mentioned in those broadsides, as well as in the Calendar of State Papers, Domestic, 1691-1692, p. 129.
[ 1 7 4 ]
THE MAIDEN SAILOR gentlewoman has petitioned the queen, setting forth that the last summer she served in mans cloaths on board the St. Andrew, which was engaged in the fight with the French, and producing a certificate thereof, and that she quitted her selfe well, she desired something to be given her." The Post Man, No. H I , January 2 1 - 2 3 , 1 6 9 6 , asserts that on January 11 " a Woman in a Soldiers Habit, who has served the King seven years, and was wounded at the Siege of Namur, was presented to his Majesty, who was pleas'd to order her some Money to buy Cloaths suitable to her Sex; and told her that he would take care of her. Another woman who had listed herself in Collonel St. Georges Regiment, and cheated the Officer, was committed to Bridewel." As masculine and as disreputable as the last-named woman was Jane Owen, who "having lately gone in Mans Cloaths as a Youth to wait upon a Gentleman, she was as such entertained into the Service of Mr. William Hanuay, waiting upon him as his Boy untill she had gotten a new Suit of Cloaths," whereupon she stole a silver mustardpot and three silver spoons and ran away. For her crime (An Account of the Proceedings on the Kings Commissions of the Peace . . . in the Old-Bayly, M a y 1 5 - 1 6 , 1 6 8 4 ) she was burned in the hand. For further examples of women in male attire see Nos. 330, 397, and 416. 1 The tune of Farewell, my dearest Nancy is named from the first line of " T h e Undaunted Mariner. . . . To the Tune of The intrigues of love" (Pepys, v, 364).* 1 A chapbook called The Whole Life and Death of Long Meg, of Westminster (ca. 1750?) tells how that virago in soldier's garb for her bravery in "beating the Frenchmen off the Walls of Bologne" was rewarded by Henry V I I I , who "allowed her for life eight-pence a d a y . " The Kentish Fayre (1648) speaks of " Mrs. Webster and Mistris Maine, two Women y are now in Armes in Kent," adding that many others are in the Royalist forces. In the parish register of St. James, Clerkenwell, London (ed. Robert Hovenden, iv [ 1 8 9 1 ] , 325), an entry for January 1 5 , 1658, reads: " A woman that wore man's Aparrell, & went by the name of Thomas Barber, was buried the 15th of Januarij 1658." 2 The tune of the Pepys ballad is derived from " A n excellent New Song, called, The Intreagues of Love; Or, One worth a Thousand. T o a Pleasant New T u n e " (British Museum, C. 39. k. 6 [50]), beginning, " H o w happy are we."
[175]
T H E P E P Y S BALLADS tZCije Jflaiben bailor: Ü true delation of a poung Bamöel, bafio toae $ress;'b on JSoarb tfje Edgar Ülan of War, being taken up in Seamans! J^abit; after beingfenoton,ölje teas btöcijargeb, anb at ijer examination, öfjc beclareb öfje tooulb sterbe tije S i n g at g>ea, asi long a« ber g>toeet-beart continued in Flanders. Tune of Guinea wins her: Or, Farewel my dearest Nancey.
ι
""OOD people e'ery one Sir, The like was never known Sir, a Jest both true and pretty; Which hear I come for to declare, Of a very pretty Damsel fair, who chang'd her cloaths, indeed, and put on Seamans weed, and then she did appear a Youth, both fair and clear, like to a Seaman rare, So that you, would swear that she'd been a sailor too.
2
This Maiden she was press'd, Sir, and so was many more, And she, among the rest, Sir, was brought down to the Nore, Where ev'ry one did think they had Prest a very pritty Colliers Lad; but yet it prov'd not so, when they the truth did know, they search'd her well below, and see how things did go, and found her so and so, And then swore, the like was never known before.
3
But at length a sailor bold, Sir, that us'd to sport and play, Sir, Did chance for to behold, Sir, where this young Damsel lay, Sir, [176]
THE MAIDEN
SAILOR
Who thought she like a Maid did speak, When he felt, she did begin to squeak, by which, he found that she could not a sailor be, he strove to feel her knee, but she would not agree, but strove from him to flee, And he said, that she was certainly a Maid. 4
B u t when the truth was known, Sir, and ev'ry one did hear it, She examin'd was alone, Sir, and then she did declare it, T h a t she this thing did undertake, For a very loving sweet-heart's sake, who does in Field remain, within the King's Campaigne, expecting night and day, to fight the Enemy, which made her go to sea, So that she, might serve the King as well as he.
5
'Twas done on board the Edgar, as you may understand, Sir, Where noble Captain Pedder does bear the chief Command, Sir, Who set this woman sailor free, And then gave to her her liberty to go to Maiden-head, where she was born and bred, for wars will not agree with such a one as she, it's better for to be On the shore, to drive the trade she did^before.
6
Y o u Damsels far and near, when you hear this true Relation, See how this Damsel fair, then did venture for her Nation, C 177]
T H E PEPYS BALLADS Who like a sailor bold and true, Never fearing what the French could do, but for to serve her King, would venture Life and limb, and I do make no doubt, had not she been found out, but she'd have prov'd as stout As all they, that longer time had been at Sea. Written by John Curtin, Seaman, on Board the Edgar. Printed for J. Blare at the Looking-glass on London-bridge.
[178]
3»7 7'he glorious victory i v , 214, black letter, three columns, four woodcuts. A jubilant account of the French defeat at L a Hogue, on which see Josiah Burchett's A Complete History of the Most Remarkable Τransactions at Sea, 1720, pp. 461 ff.; " T h e Sea-fight in 92," a ballad (with music) in Wit and Mirth, 1707, 1712, π ι , 45-46 (1719, iv, 333-334); and also Nos. 388-390. In stanza 2 Admiral Russell is praised at the expense of "Grissel," the cowardly Lord Torrington (cf. No. 300). For the tune see No. 383.
[179]
THE PEPYS
BALLADS
®fje 4£lortouö V i c t o r ? ; Wife Criumpfjant Conquest ©btm'neb o'er tfje French Jflcet, bp tJje brabe ^erotcfe English anb Dutch ü a b p ' f i ; to tf}e 3Top atib Comfort of all Eopal Subjects;. Tune of March Boys, 0c.
Iticensfeti according to 0 r h e r . ι
Τ E T Country, City, Court, and Town, J—/now Eccho with Heavenly shouts of j o y ; T h e French we've beaten, the D a y ' s our own, they cannot our Happiness now annoy; Lost Honour resolving to renew, our Cannons we play'd like claps of Thunder; And still as we fir'd through and through, their Men of War we tore in 'sunder; 'Sunder, sunder, Boys we tore asunder, they from our Fury could not scowre, We let them know, that a Foe should not go without a Badge of Brittish Power.
ι
Stout Admiral Russel with the rest, brave [n^oble Commanders stout and bold, He gave them to know we w a ' n ' t in lest; their Courage was never Chill'd nor Cold: Like Grissel who stood to see fair play, and had not the Courage and Heart to venture; We valiantly fought and won the D a y , and charg'd France with the highest Center; Center, center, bravely did we venture, and many of their Ships did fire, And while they flame, did proclaim Brittain s Fame; the rest did by their light retire.
3
With Fire we after them did Sale, resolving still to maintain the Fight; With thundring shot like showres of Hale, we batter'd them till the gloomy Night; Next day fell on afresh again, true English Courage is not wasted; [180]
T H E GLORIOUS
VICTORY
We batter'd and sunk them in the Main, where they a bitter Portion tasted, Tasted, tasted, and their Forces wasted, this is a dark and dismal story For them to bring to old Lewis their King, but we have blasted all their Glory. 4
T h e y threatn'd this Nation to invade, and did in our very Harbours ride, Till conquering Courage we display'd, by which we've baffl'd all their Pride; Brave Boys we've given them the rout, some thousands are slain as well as wounded, Their shattered Vessels float about, and many in the deep lies drownded, Drownded, drownded, thus with sorrows Wounded, it is a suddain strange Disaster, For to relate to Lewis the Great, their most ambitious Tyrant Master.
5
An Army of Teagues and Rapparees, together with Scotch and French also; He thought to have Landed here with ease, but that a cold North-East Wind did blow; Which blasted the great Design in Hand, and now we have swing'd them on the Ocean, They never will trespass on this Land, to cause Distraction, or Commotion; Lewis, Lewis; let him know, Great William will not be long e'er he draws near him, With an Armed Hoast, which will rule the Roast; thus will he have 1 just Cause to fear him.
6
In this great Design we find them crost besides they are beaten on the Main, The best Men of War they have quite lost, and several thousand Seamen slain;
1
Τfxt habe.
[i8I]
T H E PEPYS BALLADS Instead of their being Lord of all, with Plots which their Friends had long been brewing; Behold we have seen their present fall, and may in time their utter ruine, Ruine, ruine, 'tho' these Plots are brewing, now may they wish they'd ne'er come hither; Our Iacobites here, and their huffing Mounsiere,1 may all hang down their Heads together. Printed for C. Bates, next to the Crown-Tavern in West-smithfield. 1
Text Mounsleue.
[18a]
388
A true account of the late victory iv, 21 5, black letter, three columns, four woodcuts. A less picturesque account of the battle of La Hogue than that given in No. 387. It was written soon after the news of the victory reached London, and mentions by name Rear-admiral Carter and Lieutenant-colonel Hastings, both of whom were killed. Of De Tourville's flagship, The Royal Sun (or Le Soleil Royal), Luttrell (11, 466467) reports: " [ 1 0 had the French king finely painted in the cabin, with severall European kings and princes in chaines under his feet. . . . the Royall Sun, with her painting and furniture, &c., cost the French king 200,000 I." A broadside called " A True List of the French F l e e t " (1692) declares that it carried 900 men and 106 guns. For the tune see No. 134.
[183]
THE PEPYS
BALLADS
9 Jleto JSallab: & ®rue Account of tije late "Ftctorp obtaineb at & e a , bp tije Cngltsfj, ober tfje jfrencij; grtjetoing, fcoto tfjep toere burnt anb öunfe, anb brobe against tije ikocfes of Jersey, tofjere tijep toere batter'b anb conöum'b bp ti)t (English anb Butcb ^quabronö: (gibing also, & tErue delation of tije jseberal gmperiour (Officers tofjtcij toere ^lat'n anb üilounbeb on botb fiibei, buring tfjis ijot anb bloobp Engagement toitf) tije jfrenci), ober tofjom tije Cngltgf), ftabe obtain'b a final anb inttre "Victor?. To the Tune of Let Casar live long.
ι
^""^Reat William's, success does his Trophies advance, V J W h o s e Glories triumph o'er the power of France; What a Conquest at Sea the brave Russel has won Some sinking, some burning, whilst others do run: Thus Royal King William does the Victory gain, And rules with his Navy all over the Main.
ι
Our English Commanders such Courage have shown, The French that survive must their Bravery own, Our Fleet over France has an absolute swayi Now their brave Rising Sun we have set in the Sea: Whilst Royal King William does the Victory gain, And rules with his Army all over the Main.
3
Brave Hastings has lost the last drop of his blood, For his Family's Fame and his Country's good; Rear-Admiral Carter whose Courage was try'd Though his Leg was shot off, gave Command till he dy'd: Thus Royal King William, &c.
4
When Lewis of France to such Grandeur was grown, N o Neighbouring Prince was secure of his own; N o sooner we met with his Fleet on the Seas, But we pluck'd down that Pride he endeavour'd to raise. 'Thus Royal King William, &c. [184]
A TRUE ACCOUNT OF T H E L A T E V I C T O R Y 5
Their Navy's salute, we so warmly embrac'd, Of our Valour and Strength we soon gave them a taste, A Broad-side of Rüssel's made Tourvill retire, Whose Squadron soon perrish'd 'twixt Water and Fire: Whilst Royal King William &c.
6
No more must the French of their Bravery boast, Or cruise with a Fleet on the English Coast; Now the Iacobites hopes of Invasion are crost Since their Transport small Vessels in the battel are lost: Whilst Royal King William, &c.
7
The French must their hopes of a Conquest forsake Since Russel has prov'd as successfull as Drake; The French or the Spaniard we need not to fear They'll e'er make a second Invasion here: Whilst Royal King William does the Victory gain. And rules with his Navy all over the Main.
8
Good Fortune Great William and Mary attend, May their Glories encrease, and their Lives never end, That the Heavenly couple so happy may be, As to govern the French both by Land and by Sea; By their daily successes our Nation may find, For the Welfare of England they both are design'd.
Printed for J. Bissel, at the Hospital-Gate in West-smithfield.
[185]
3«9 A merry new ballad v, 382-383, roman and italic type. Reprinted in Sir C. H. Firth's Naval Songs, pp. 120-124. This fine and extraordinarily detailed ballad, written by a poet of some ability, gives a pretty accurate view of the series of naval engagements known as the battle of La Hogue (see also Nos. 387, 388, 390). They began near Cape la Hague on May 19, but Admiral Russell's flag-ship, the Britannia, was as completely crippled as De Tourville's Soleil Royal (stanzas 7-9). Tourville was outnumbered two to one, so that after several hours of fighting he withdrew without the loss of a ship, and fog and failing winds put an end to the fight. For several days the fleets drifted from place to place. On the morning of the twenty-third they were near La Hague. Half the French fleet under D'Amfreville had sailed round the cape and made their escape to St. Malo through the dangerous Race of Alderney. They were piloted, if Robert Browning may be credited, by Herve Riel. The Soleil Royal and two others made their way to Cherbourg, where they were burned by Sir Ralph Delaval. 1 The remainder took refuge in the harbor of La Hogue, where thirteen were destroyed by Sir George Rooke — an action greater than that of the battle of Lepanto in 1571 (stanza 24). 1 In connection with stanzas 18, 19 compare Delaval's official report in The London Gazette, M a y 2 3 - 2 6 (which the balladist probably copied): " Capt. Heath burnt Tourville's Ship, the Royal Sun, whi,ch was the most difficult. Capt. Greenway burnt the other called the Conquerant. The Admirable was burnt by our Boats. Capt. Fowlis attempted the Royal Sun, but was set on fire by the Enemies Shot; yet deserves as well as the others." Captain Thomas Heath and Captain James Greenway are mentioned also in the
Calendar of State Papers, Domestic, 1691-1692, p. 361.
The London Times on August 2 8 , 1 9 2 6 , reports that " i n the course of the dredging operations for the construction of the new harbour at Cherbourg, the wreck of one of the French men-of-war lost in the battle of L a Hogue in 1692 has been discovered.... The timbers so far traced measure about 1 3 0 ft. in length. . . . They are believed to be part of the Triomphant, of which some of the guns had already been found."
[186]
A MERRY NEW BALLAD Especial praise is given in the ballad to the Earl of Danby, Admiral Sir Ralph Delaval, Admiral Van Allemonde, Sir Clowdisley Shovell, Sir George Rooke, Sir John Ashby, and to the two distinguished victims, Rear-admiral Richard Carter and Lieutenantcolonel Hastings 1 of the Sandwich. Carter is said to have been bolder than Withrington of " Chevy Chase " fame, for when his knees were blown off he fought on, not in " doleful dumps " like the old ballad hero, but in great j o y . I have not found the tune. Richard Baldwin, the publisher, is discussed at length in Plomer's Dictionary of Printers, 1 6 6 8 - 1 7 2 5 , pp. 1 5 - 1 7 . 1 'the London Gazette calls him Colonel Anthony Hastings. His title is given as lieutenant-colonel in the Calendar of State Papers, Domestic, 16911692, p. 328. Macaulay calls him "Captain." Cf. No. 393.
[ 1 8 7 ]
T H E P E P Y S BALLADS a itlcrrp jfreto W&&M.30, Φπ tfje (great "iJictorp ober tije Jfrenrf) Jfleet, Χ9ίϊ). 1692.
tfje
T o as Merry a New Tune, — Hey! jor the Honour of Old England.
I
Sing ye a Ballad, as round me ye stand, Which is for the Honour of Old England: Old England, Old England; Which is for the Honour of Old England.
2
In the Month of May, the Year Ninety two, The English-man did his Old Valour show. Old England, Old England, &c.
3
We sent out our Scouts the Foe to descry, When Cape de Hague we were sailing by. Old England, &c.
4. This was a good Omen, we now understand, And Lewis hates Hague, by Sea as by Land. Old England, &c. 5
But in our Channel the Battel was fought, And so the French Fleet in a Net was caught, Net was caught, Net was caught; And so the French Fleet in a Net was caught.
6 Yet Monsieur expecting that all was his own, On Ambrall1 Russell did boldly bear down. Old England, &c. 7 He gave a Broad-side, which was kindly took, And then the Britannia in Thunder spoke, 'Thunder spoke, Thunder spoke, And then the Britannia in Thunder spoke. 8 Till in Musquet shot, she fires no Gun; In Complement then salutes the French Sun. Old England, &c. 1
I.e., Admiral.
[i88]
A M E R R Y NEW B A L L A D 9
And warms her Sides so, that for all her Might, She fairly Tows off, and bids us Good night. Old England, &c.
ιο
Thus have we been taught in a Tale or Old Song, French Fury was never known to last long. Old England, &c.
11
When Tourville had given the Signal to flye, His Squadrons, as ready, do Westward, ho! ply. Old England, &c.
ία
Some of his Lame Geese not able to bear Their Heads above Water, to th' Bottom they steer. Old England, &c.
13
The rest we pursue in their stragling Flight, And Chase the Poltrons most part of the Night. Old England, Old England, And hey! for the Honour of Old England. ® f j e g>etonb Jiart to tije &ame {Rütte.
14
" V T E x t Morning was foggy; but when it grew clear, .1.^1 The Chace was renew'd, and so was their Fear. Old England, &c.
15
We made all our Sail, and gave 'em no rest, From Point to Point drove 'em, from West to East. Old England, &c.
16
Those Coursers so Brisk at the Starting-Place, Run heavily now through Alderney Race. Old England, &c.
17
Into Cherburgh Bay Three Tall Ones did run, Where a Northern Blaze burns up the South Sun. Old England, &c.
18
'Twas Heath did this Feat; and Greenway another, For the Conquerant fell, in Flames, and in Smother. Old England, &c. [189]
T H E PEPYS BALLADS 19
And Fowlis was Daring, though he miss'd his Prey; He flew at the Sun, but stoopt by the way. Old England, &c.
20 But now we are making for Bay le Hogue, Where on Land, they say, are many a Brogue. Old England, &c. 21
These Doughty Wights, those true Irish Teagues, Won't let us come near 'em by several Leagues. Old England, &c.
22
Such Gallant Alliance the French much imports, They'll save their Friends Ships, as they did their own Forts. Old England, &c.
23
But Manning our Boats, those Wise Ones we cozen, And burn in this Bay Thirteen to the Dozen. Old England, &c.
24 This Action's far greater, than that of Lepanto, And merits alone a whole Noble Canto. Old England, &c. 25
For like the Old Britains, our Men did Assail 'em, In Open Boats, and Naked, we Quail 'em. Old England, &c.
26
We storm'd their Fore-Castles, their Decks we did Scale, And with their own Canon, we made 'um turn tale. Old England, &c.
27
Earl Danby Commanded the Headmost Boat, Which was in a moment from under him shot. Old England, &c.
28
Then a Musquet Ball does graze on his Shin, But still he goes on, more Honour to Win. Old England, &c.
29 Not a Captain was here, but toss'd up his Brands; The Seamen were Furies, with Flames in their hands. Old England, &c. C 19°]
A MERRY NEW 30
BALLAD
What Bonfires we made on our Norman Coast! Where William the Conqueror Rules the Roast: Rules the Roast, Rules the Roast; Where William the Conqueror Rules the Roast. ®fje ®f)trb $ a r t to tfje g>ame.'
31
T 1 U T now in all Pomps, where Great Men appear, X-*The Post of Honour is still in the Reer. Old England, &c.
32
Brave Russell can never enough be prais'd, Such Trophies are owing as never were rais'd. Old England, &c.
33
T o his Courage, and Conduct, Great Honours are due T o all of the Flag; the Red, White and Blew. Old England, &c.
34
T o Delaval, Almonde, Shovell, Ashby, Rook, Whose Names are all writ in Fame's Lasting Book. Old England, &c.
35
T o Carter, the Bold! who never can die; He only i ' t h ' Bed of Honour does lie. Old England, &c.
36
His Story is Great, for he comes not an Ace Behind Withrington in Old Chivy Chace. Old England, &c.
37
N a y , he is before him, for he fought on his Stumps, With j o y in his Face, and not Doleful Dumps. Old England, &c.
38
Stout Hastings shall live; shall ever be famed, With all our Commanders, too long to be named. Old England, &c.
39
What need we say more, there is no occasion, This French does excell the Spanish Invasion: Old England, &c.
1
Read Same Tune.
[19O
THE PEPYS BALLADS 40
The Downfall of Lewis le Grand is reckon'd So far above that of Philip the Second. Old England, &c.
41
'Twas in Eighty Eight Queen Bess swept the Main; In Ninety Two Queen Mary the same. Old England, &c.
42
Now all English Lads not enter'd their Teens, Shall chant forth the Praise of Those Protestant Queens. Protestant Queens! Protestant Queens! Shall chant out the Praise of those Protestant Queens.
43
Our London Merchants will now live at ease, May Trade without Convoys all over the Seas. Old England, &c.
44
The New-Castle Men may bring in their Coals; And never must Petres 1 say Mass in Pauls. Mass in Pauls! Mass in Pauls! And never must Petres 1 say Mass in Pauls.
LONDON: Printed for R. Baldwin, near the Oxford Arms in WarwickLane. 1692. 1
Edward Petre, James II's confessor.
[ 192]
39° The triumph of the seas v , 387, roman and black-letter type, two columns, stanzas numbered in large roman numerals. T h e battle of L a Hogue (cf. Nos. 387-389) was a series of encounters from M a y 19 to M a y 23 between the French navy under De Tourville and the Dutch-English navy under Edward Russell and Van Allemonde. Tourville had about forty-seven ships of the line, the Dutch-English commanders almost a hundred. T h e battle was determined at L a Hogue when some dozen French ships were burned by Admiral Sir George Rooke, as James II and various French generals, — who had gathered there for the invasion of England, — watched from the shore. N o further schemes for the invasion were laid by the French, and no further naval engagements of importance followed. There is, accordingly, much justification for the exuberance of the ballad, which was evidently written as soon as news of the victory was published in London. For the tune see No. 382.
[i93]
T H E P E P Y S BALLADS W & € Qfriumpf) of tfjc S e a s ; English anb Butch "^"tctotp ober tfje French Jfleet, ®o tfje 3Γορ anb Satisfaction of all Eopal Subjects!. Tune is, Let Mary Live long.
Hiceneeb according to ©rbet. ι
T T E r e ' s News from the Fleet, A J-Fill Bowls with Canary, To William, and Mary, The French they are Beat, and shatter'd at Sea; Loud Cannons did Roar, And laid them in Gore, while some of them Run: Now, now let them Vapour, Now, now let them Vapour, of what they have done.
ι
They threaten'd this Land With desperate Ruin, Strange Plots they were Brewing, A French Armed Band they thought to bring o're; But brave English Boys, With Thundering Noise, has forc'd them to Run: Now let the French Vapour, Now let the French Vapour, of what they have done.
3
The French hoisting Sail, Their whole Fleet together, But (Oh) the bad Weather, Soon made them turn Tail, in spight of their Crew; Till our Admirals hot, With their thundering Shot, did cause them to Run: [
194]
T H E T R I U M P H OF T H E S E A S Now, now let them Vapour, Now, now let them Vapour, of what they have done. 4
Their best Ships of War, With Cannons like Thunder, We then rent in sunder, To punish them for their Impudent way; Likewise many we Burn'd, While others return'd, and homewards did run, T o tell their old Master, To tell their old Master, of what they had done.
5
The Iacobite Crew, False Rumours was raising, Our Captains dispraising, Y e t this would not do, their Plot was in vain; For the Enemy found, They were Loyal and sound, and caus'd them to Run, To tell their old Master, Το tell their old Master, now what they have done.
6
Was e're the like known? Instead of their Landing, With Power Commanding, Their Fleet's overthrown, by true Men of War; To their sorrow they find, We were all of one mind, and forc'd 'um to Run, To tell their old Master, To tell their old Master, Boys, what we have done. [i95l
THE PEPYS BALLADS 7
Quoth Monsieur, Ver dike, Wid horror they fill us, Nay, Wound us and Kill us, Begar me no like such Fire and Smoak; For they pounce, pounce so fast, We're forced at last, like Cowards to Run; Begar there's no boasting, Begar there's no boasting, of what we have done.
8
De Engelish they In heat of de Battel, Deir Cannons did rattle, A sharp bloody Fray we did undergo; But Begar, now no more, Will we trouble deir Shore, but homeward now run, To tell our dear Master, To tell our dear Master, Fait, what they have done.
Printed for
P. Brooksby, I. Deacon, I. Blare,
[196]
and
I. Back.
1692.
39 1 The Jacobite tossed in a blanket ii, 292, black letter, four columns, four woodcuts. Other copy: Lord Crawford, No. 605. Genuine Jacobite ballads do not appear in the Pepys collection (but see No. 208). It must have been very difficult to print, or at least to sell, them in London. Here, after the battle of La Hogue (stanza 3), a Jacobite carries on a dialogue with an Orange-man, and is so thoroughly worsted that the loyalty of the balladist could not have been suspected by anybody. The tune of Fa la is probably identical with Sir Eglamore (Roxburghe Ballads, in, 606-609; cf. vn, 661-662) or Thejriar in the well, on both of which see Chappell's Popular Music, 1, 273-277. Tan tara tantroy has escaped my notice.
[i97]
THE PEPYS ®&e
Φν,
0
BALLADS
tofiöeü in a ißlanfect:
ΒΜΙίΦαme
a
öettoeen & m%1LTLMMmea-Commiggton-#fficers!, for suffering tfje total 3Bc£truction of \jie potoetful J f k e t Tune is, Z,e·/ Mary Live Long.
Htcensieti according to ©rbcr. ι
TjRench Admirals all, J^ Whom I have intrusted, Behold I ' m disgusted, Your glory will fall as well as m y own, For our Enemies they Now have gotten the day, and Victory won; You 've lost my whole N a v y , You've lost my whole N a v y , Rogues, what have you done?
ι
Five Millions of Gold, With Silver at pleasure, A large sum of Treasure I gave you, behold, T o Bribe their trustees, Y o u have wasted the same, And return'd home with shame N o w where shall I run? You've lost my great N a v y , You've lost my great N a v y , Rogues, what have ye done?
3
A powerful Fleet, Captains in Commission, With stout Ammunition, And yet to be beat, This makes me run mad, Such a Cowardly crew, Sure the world never knew, [210]
THE DISTRACTED FRENCH W h a t presently run, You've lost my whole N a v y , You've lost my whole N a v y , Rogues, what have ye done? 4
You solemnly swore Y o u ' d raise my promotion, 1 B y sailing the Ocean; Beside what is more, the Jacobites all That in England are, W o u l d for Lewis declare, And yet could you run, You've lost my whole N a v y , You've lost my whole N a v y , Rogues, what have you done?
5
Besides I ' m afraid Of what is ensuing, It will prove our Ruin M y Land they'll invade, And where am I then ? What they gain is their own, Royal Scepter and Throne, Then where shall I run, You've lost my whole N a v y , You've lost my whole N a v y , Rogues, what have you done? We threatned them first, But Ο that false Devil, The Author of Evil, Let him be accurst, For failing his Friend, Go together like Sots, You have Ruin'd my Plots, And Cowardly run, You've lost my whole N a v y , You 've lost my whole N a v y , Rogues, what have ye done.
6
' "Text promortion.
[211]
KING
THE PEPYS BALLADS 7
I never shall have The Courage or Power That Land to devour, What could you not save M y stout Men. of war? But let them be burn'd, Ο to Ashes they turn'd M y dear Rising Sun, And spoil'd my dear N a v y , And spoil'd my dear N a v y , Ahl what have ye done.
8
W i t h torment opprest, M y stout heart is breaking, And Throne likewise shaking They'll seize with the rest my Kingdom and Crown, On my Fleet of defence That should keep them from hence I cannot depend, 'The Devil plays booty, The Devil plays booty, And Ruins his Friend.
Printed for P. Brooksby, J. Deacon, J. Blare, and J. Back.
[212]
395 Ungrateful Lewis ii, 347, black letter, three columns, three woodcuts. A hymn of hate against Louis that reflects small credit on its writer. It represents that monarch, enraged by the disaster of L a Hogue, as storming the Devil's House (which by a pun is made equivalent to hell), and remarks that he found already in hell General St. Ruth, who had been killed at Aghrim in 1691. The Devil's House was a fortified position near Namur, " a kind of a Spur-work with Pallisadoes" (London Gazette, June 9 - 1 3 , 1692; cf. The Portledge Papers, 1928, p. 141). It was captured by Louis's army, but in June, 1692, Colonel Cohorn and his troops made a sally, " r e took the Devills house, where they nailed up 7 peices of the enemies cannon, and then blew up the said house, because 'twould require more men to keep it then the castle could well spare." They killed 500 French troops in the explosion (Luttrell, 11, 487-488), so that "old Louis's" rage may well be pardoned. For the tune see No. 134.
[213]
T H E PEPYS BALLADS Ungrateful TL, HHfto jfougfjt agatmit f)tö ©lb Jfrienb: Cogetfjer toitf) an account of s t o r m i n g anb ©afetng tije Devil's-House ober fjte Heab, because {je «fceto'b ijim a stopper? Briefe tn fctö late Jftgijt at S>ea, tofjen I)ii Jfleet tea« Jftr'b. To an Excellent New Tune; Or, Let Cesar Live long.
Htcenseb accorbing to ©rber.
ι
ΤΤΓ 7Hen Noble bold Brittains did Victory gain, V V The Fleet of Old Lewis was burn'd on the Main, Which put him straight into a passionate Rage, He vow'd his Friend Lucifer now to Engage; And therefore to Flanders he then did repair, In order for Storming the Devil's-House there.
2
Then raising high Bulwarks, loud Cannons did roar, Which thunder'd and boune'd at Old Lucifer s Door; With Thunder he threaten'd the Prince of the Air, For failing his Friend by his Negligent Care: Like one quite Distracted, Old Lewis did rave, And vow'd that the Devil's-House soon he would have. [ 2 1 4 ]
U N G R A T E F U L LEWIS 3
The Army of Lewis contending did stand, Who still was repuls'd by a vigorous hand; The Contest between them was furious and hot, With Bombs and loud Cannons, with thundring Shot, After long disputing, by showers of Lead, He there took the Devil's-House over his head.
4
Was this not uncivil, now tell me, I pray, Because on the Ocean he had not the day, That he should lay all the whole blame on Old Nick, And therewith to shew him a slippery trick, By thund'ring Cannons and showers of Lead, To Storm, I, and take his House over his head.
5
Now Lucifer thus being turn'd out of doors By Lewis the French King, and his Sons of Whores, He swears he'll in time be reveng'd on them all, They first by the Sword of King William shall fall, Then in burning Sulphur they shall make their Bed, For taking the Devil's-House over his head.
6
If the Devil's-House now is call'd Hell by name, Then Hell and the Devil's-House must be the same; Of which let Old Lewis of France be possest, Where he may for ever lye close in his Nest: 'Tis fit he shou'd have it, and there make his Bed, For taking the Devil's-House over his head.
7
We find he is eager, and covets for Hell, And in those dark Regions he reckons to dwell; Let that gloomy Empire in his keeping be, There's no one had ever more right to't than he: With his Friend St. Ruth let him there make his Bed For taking the Devil's-House over his head.
8
Since he such a Conquering Monster is grown, We doubt not in time but he'll make Hell his own; Where he in the streams of Ambition may swim, And he take the De'el, and the Devil take him: In those gloomy Regions let him make his Bed, For taking the Devil's-House over his head. [2153
THE PEPYS BALLADS Old Lucifer now is by Lewis Controul'd, His House he has taken to make his strong Hold; But yet let him know for this horrible Crime, He shall without doubt, be Tormented in time; In gloomy dark Regions he shall make his Bed, For taking the Devil's-House over his head. Now since he has gain'd such a Victory there, It seems he resolves to Reign Prince of the Ayr; Old Pluto and he now will Part'ners be, Yet how in their Government they will agree, We know not, but some says, when Lewis is dead, He will take the Devil's Realm over his head.
Printed for P. Brooksby, J. Deacon, J. Blare, and J. Back.
[ > 6 ]
39 6 The dissatisfied subject v, 136, roman and italic type, two columns, stanzas numbered in large roman numerals, musical score given (but see No. 382). Other copy: Lord Crawford, No. 177. Probably dating about June, 1692, this ballad goes on to explain how parsimonious subjects, worshipers of Mammon, lose both their loyalty and their religion. T h e y dislike, for example, to pay taxes — a touch of nature that makes the whole world kin!
[217]
THE PEPYS
BALLADS
JBtööattöfieb Cobetouöneßsi, tlje JBeßtruction of Religion, attb Hopaltp. To the Tune of, Let Mary Ike long. Htceiwteb according to ©rber. ι
" D E h o l d in this Age J D t h e loose and perfidious, are seeming Religious: T h e y swear to engage The Truth to defend: while they thrive and grow rich, they will go thorough-stitch, Like right honest M e n : yet touch but their Mammon, yet touch but their Mammon, A n d where are they then ?
ι
If the A r m y this day, the noble Commanders, and Hero's of Flanders, Wou'd fight without P a y , A n d venture their Lives: if the King cou'd do all without Taxes at all, 'Tis like they would own, he was the best Monarch, he was the best Monarch, A s ever was known.
3
The King they love well, and likewise the Nation, without disputation, Our Foes they'd expell A t home and abroad;
[218]
THE DISSATISFIED
SUBJECT
nay the Troops they'd enlarge, cou'd it be without Charge, For a Cause so divine: but tell them of Taxes, but tell them, &c. And then they repine. 4
N a y Presbyter Jack, that zealous Professor, and loyal Addressor, He'll stand to his Tack, As tite as a Drum: but at length he grows cold, when he parts with his Gold, From him and his Heirs, the which he admires the which he admires Much more than his Prayers.
5
Religion's the Cry, yet there are not many that ever had any I tell you; for why There's little they mind, but to rant, roar, and sing, and cry, God save the King. Then off with their Drink, is this true Religion ? is this true Religion? Sirs, What do you think?
6
One swears by his Soul, that he's no Philistine, but 'Zounds a good Christian; Then takes off his Bowl, And swears like a Lord, that he loves the old way, for to read as they pray:
[219]
THE PEPYS
BALLADS
'Tis ease for the Brain, and when it is ended, and when, & c . T o drinking again. 7
Now therefore between the huffing young Hector, and Jack the Projector, In this present Scene, Religion is tost like a Foot-ball about, there's not many devout, We find to our Cost. which makes us imagine, which makes, &c. T h a t Honesty's lost.
8
Lets pray for the King, let Blessings attend him, and Heaven defend him, T h a t under his Wing We see happy days; when the Storm is blown o'er, we shall flourish once more, In spight of our Foes, let Angels still guard him, let Angels still guard him Where-ever he goes.
Printed for P. Brooksby, J. Deacon, J. Blare, J. Back.
[ 22o]
397 The valiant damsel v, 137, roman and black-letter type, two columns. Here a young girl (probably in 1692), wishing to help the king fight in Flanders, enlists; but her parents learn of her whereabouts, secure her discharge, and carry her home against her will. So many ballads on this theme may have helped to turn the heads of silly girls and to swell the army! Mention should be made, also, of a book called The Life and Adventures of Mrs, Christian Davies, Commonly Call'd Mother Ross; Who, in several Campaigns under King William and the Late Duke of Marlborough, in the Quality of a Foot-Soldier and Dragoon, Gave many signal Proofs of an unparallell'd Courage and personal Bravery (1740). On other female soldiers and sailors see No. 386. For the tune see No. 382.
[ 221 ]
THE PEPYS
BALLADS
Φί)β "ΨαΙΙίαηΙ 3Bam*el; Gibing an Account of a jHaib at Westminster, toijo put fjer öelf in jllan« gpparel, anb lüöteb fjer eelf for a &oUiier for tf)ß Ματ& of Flanders. Tune of, Let Mary live long.
Htcenöeb accorbing to te Jfrienb LEWIS tfje French f l i n g , gtbtng toitf) f)l£i a r m ? in Flanders. T u n e is, Let Mary Live Long.
ILtcengeb accorbmg to ©rber. ι
Τ 7" Ind Lewis my Friend, Since things goes no better, A ^ H e r e is a kind Letter, Which to you I send, T o lay down your Arms; Or my Conquering Son, He will soon over-run Your Kingdom, I fear, He'll bring a vast A r m y , He'll bring a vast A r m y , T o Conquer you here.
1
Since Fortune does frown, And sends none but Crosses, A h ! great are your Losses, M y Kingdom and Crown Y o u ' l l never regain, 'Tis too late now I know, For a Powerful Foe Will shortly arrive, Stout Boys of bold Brittain, Stout Boys of bold Brittain Fears no men alive.
3
I cannot but own, And so I will ever, Y o u ' v e done your endeavour T o Ransome my Throne, B y Powerful Arms,
[233]
T H E PEPYS BALLADS Yet do what you can, An Unfortunate Man I ever have been, Those that fight against you, Those that fight against you, Does Victory win. 4
Ο labour for Peace, Least sad Desolation Should fall on your Nation, Your Foes they encrease At Home and Abroad: This effusion of blood, Makes mine Eyes like a flood, Flow Rivers of Tears, The cries of your People, The cries of your People, Too, pierces my Ears.
5 Your Barons are kill'd, And Valiant Commanders, By fighting in Flanders, All Nations are fill'd With rumours of Wars, Which troubles me sore, Let us freely give o'er, Since fighting's in vain, I long to see Europe, I long to see Europe Now flourish again. 6 The Fates has decreed That my Son and Daughter, For ever, hereafter, Shall flourish indeed, Which satisfies me,
[ 2 3 4 ]
A ROYAL
LETTER
So one branch they will give, On the which I may live, I freely comply, I am not for fighting, I am not for fighting, No, no, no not I. 7
Now here lies the case, The most I desire, Is now to retire T o some holy place, T o spend my last days, Therefore Lewis my Friend, Let the War have an end, And lay the sword down, I ' m weary of seeking, I ' m weary of seeking A Scepter and Crown.
Printed for P. Brooksby, J. Deacon, J. Blare, and J. Back.
[235]
4-oi
The true Protestants contemplation ii, 82, black letter, three columns, two woodcuts. The true Protestants' contemplation of two horrid plots engineered by the Jacobites and the French against King William, and of their miserable failure, leads them to the conclusion that God is specially watching over and protecting the English nation. The first plot is, of course, James II's threatened invasion in the spring of 1692, which was thwarted by the English naval victory of La Hogue. The second is the assassination-plot against William in Flanders, originated in the French war-office by Louvois and Barbesieux, and entrusted to "Chevalier de Grandval Knight of Malta, Bartholomew Lanier by Name " (A Relation of the Most Remarkable transactions . . . in the Confederate Army, 1692, p. 51), who was a Frenchman, with Anthony Dumont, a Walloon, and one Leefdale, a Dutchman (see Macaulay, iv, 285-288). Grandval was betrayed by his confederates in May before he could even begin to carry out his plans, was arrested, and the day after the battle of Steenkirk (July 14, old style) was tried by a court-martial, to which he confessed everything. He was hanged, drawn, and quartered on August 3/13, after which his confession was published in several languages. See The London Gazette, May 26-30, July 18-21, August 8 - 1 1 . The tune is named from "Sefautian's Farewell; or, Fair Sylvia's Matchless Cruelty. To an excellent new tune, or, Sefautian's farewell" (Pepys, v, 351; Roxburghe Ballads, 111, 413-415), and the music is printed on that ballad.
[136]
THE TRUE PROTESTANTS'
CONTEMPLATION
OH)e Ofrtte $rotaeftant£ Contemplation: € Φ S e r i o u s Gftjousfjts of tije miraculous 3BeIitierame from tijc intenbeb Snbaston: Iifeetotse tfje preserbation of t i e ifflajestieg person from tfie ülalice of bloubp Conspirators. T o the Tune of Sefautian's Farewell.
ILitenöcl· accorbing to ©rber. ι
Τ E t all Men God's Mercies admire, JL/whose gracious Love has preserved this Land, From those which did in private conspire, by Plots to bring in a vast armed Band; Here to annoy, and clearly destroy Our Laws, Lives and Liberties which we enjoy: But let us own, that God alone, He hath our Enemies clearly overthrown.
1
When alas! we thought of no danger, but all things seemed right safe and secure, Our own Natives invited a Stranger, to blast the Gospel Religion so pure: Tyrant Monsieur, was invited here A t which the whole Kingdom was startl'd with fear; But God alone defends his own, He hath our Enemies clearly overthrown.
3
This great Plot was clearly discover'd, which they invented to ruine us all, On the Seas our Enemies hover'd, in hopes our N a v y would be at their Call; As it was said, this Land to invade, And then the whole Kingdom in bloud had been laid: But God alone defends his own, And he hath our Enemies clearly overthrown.
[237]
T H E PEPYS BALLADS 4
Those sad Doubts not many days lasted, altho' they came with a passionate heat, The Design was suddenly blasted, and their great Navy burnt, scatter'd and beat: Thus we indeed, were suddenly freed From those that did threaten to make the Land bleed Thus God alone defends his own, And he hath our Enemies clearly overthrown.
5
Likewise Nobles in the French Pallace, from whence the blackest of Plotters do's spring, Hired three Men, fraighted with Malice, to murther William our Sovereign King In Flanders; where, his Forces they are, But these bloudy Villains were caught in the Snare; Thus God alone defends his own, While those that conspire, &c.
6
Tho' by Plots they still are confounded, and often brought to a Scaffold or Tree; Where they are with sorrow surrounded; why, yet this Folly they never will see: But run the Race, which leads to the place, Where they shall expire in shame and disgrace: For God alone, defends his own, While Tray tors and Ruffians are, &c.
7
Has our God defended this Nation from all our Enemies mighty and strong; Let us pay him all adoration to whom alone do's all Glory belong: Since from above, by infinite love, So soon he our sorrows and fears did remove: Ο let us own, 'tis he alone, That suffers the mighty Men to be overthrown.
8
Let our King be daily defended, with Angels guarded where-ever he goes, From false Friends which much Love has pretended and likewise from his implacable Foes: [ 2 3 8 ]
T H E T R U E PROTESTANTS'
CONTEMPLATION
With Lawrels crown, his head of Renown, T h a t he all his Enemies may trample down; By Sea and Land, let him command, Whilst Lewis against him dare never lift his hand. Printed for P. Brooksby, I. Deacon, I. Blare, I. Back.
C 239]
402 King William triumphant v , 84, roman and black-letter type, two columns, stanzas numbered in large roman numerals, musical score given (cf. No. 396). On August 25,1692, four English regiments "possessed themselves of Furnes, a town between Niewport and Dunkirk," thus indicating that " h i s Majesty's design was upon this last place." Various plans to attack Dunkirk, by sea and land, were laid; but after a short bombardment by sea, they were relinquished, and the forces at Furnes were withdrawn to Dixmude (Calendar of State Papers, Domestic, 1691-1692, pp. 427, 445, 447). Our street-poet, however, was carried away by some unauthorized rumor, and in the ballad he tells how Dunkirk, presumably about September 1, has already surrendered to William.
[>40]
KING WILLIAM Hing WILLIAM © f t Z t y e ^ i c g e of FRANCE
TRIUMPHANT ®rtumpi)ant: Joeing tfic Botonfal of
Tune of, Let Mary Live long, &c.
Xtcettseb accorbms to ©tber. ι
Λ 7 Έ lac obite Crew, -I. 'Gainst Willy Conspiring, And Iemmy admiring, W h y look ye so blew at Willy's Success? He, he is the Man, Deny it who can, will our Grievance redress, And his undertakings, And his undertakings, kind Heaven does bless.
2
All Europe ne'er knew A greater Commander, Than our Alexander: He France shall subdue, and tame the Monsieur; His Reign's at an end, And cannot pretend to stop his Career; For the French are still Running, The French are still Running, when he does appear.
3
Now Savoy's brave Duke, With just Indignation, H a s ener'd his Nation, With an undaunted look, like Caesar, o'recomes;
[241]
T H E PEPYS BALLADS He scorns the dull Cheat, To make himself Great, by Conqu'ring with Summs, But loves open Storming, But loves open Storming, with Mortars and Bombs. 4 Our Landmen are gone, And Dunkirk's our own, Boys, Both Castle and Town, Boys, The English press on, and the Enemies flee; No more shall they dare On Land to appear, than their Navy at Sea: The Name of Great William, The Name of Great William, their Terror shall be. 5
Then come, let's advance, For we surely one day, Shall quaff off Burgundy, And each Man shall dance beneath his own Vine: The sprightly Champaign, Shall flow in each Vein, and our Faces shall shine Like Em'ralds and Rubies, Like Em'ralds and Rubies, whilst Lewis does pine.
6 Then, then to our King, A Health we'll be drinking, Without fear or shrinking, And next to our Queen, advance a full Bowl;
[ 242]
KING WILLIAM
TRIUMPHANT
For under the Care, Of this Royal Pair, how happy's each Soul, The Honest and Loyal, The Honest and Loyal, no Fears can Controul. Printed for P. Brooksby, I. Deacon, I. Blare, and I. Back.
[24 3 ]
1692.
4°3 King Williams welcomefrom Flanders ii, 3 3 1 , black letter, five columns, three woodcuts. A very pretty ditty welcoming William to London on October 20, 1692. The tune to which it is written (cf. No. 396) makes the ballad a compliment to Queen Mary as well as to her husband. See also Nos. 404 and 405.
[244]
KING WILLIAM'S WELCOME FROM
FLANDERS
E i n g M 3 1 L 1 L M M ' & > ^ V e l c o m e from Jflattberi; tEije ®rue Ißtottätanti
Hopal J^ealtfj Jfor ίμβ J^appp
anil & a l e Return. Tune of, Mary live Long.
lUtetrseb according to ©rber. ι
Τ E t Glory and Fame, - L / W i t h loud Acclamations, Flow through the three Nations Great William, by Name, Our Conquering King. Is in safety sail'd o'er, T o the fair British shore, From Flanders again, Ο still let him Flourish, Boys still let him Flourish, And long live and Reign.
1
In his absence we mourn'd, But now we a blessing, In ioy are possessing, H e ' s safely Return'd Which fills us with j o y ; Now in full flowing Bowls, Let all honest Souls, Drink Bumpers amain, And Crown him with wishes, And Crown him with wishes, Of Long live and Rain.
3
We ne'er had a King Could ever come near him; His Enemies fear him, His Glory shall ring Thro' Europe brave Boys, For he fears not proud France, But in Field does advance With his Warlike Train: I Η 5]
T H E PEPYS BALLADS 'Then Crown him with Wishes, Then Crown him with Wishes, 0/"Long Live and Reign. 4
Soft Lodgings of Down He never admires, His Conduct requires True Fame and Renown, With freedom from Thrall: Now to keep us secure, He the storm did endure With his warlike Train, Then Crown him [with Wishes, Boys Crown him with Wishes, Of Long Live and Reign.
5 The Powers above Secur'd him from dangers Amongst Foreign Strangers, Now with Loyal love Let Protestants all Make the Elements Ring, Now with God save the King, Strike all in a Strain, And Crown him with Wishes, Boys Crown him with Wishes, Of Long live and Reign. 6
1
Omitted.
From the Camp to the Court, Let Triumph attend him, And Marriners send him, By Cannons Report, Their transports of Ioy, Through the Realm in all Parts Let a Consort of Hearts, Strike all in a strain: To Crown him with Wishes, Boys Crown him with Wishes, Of, long live and reign. [246]
KING WILLIAM'S WELCOME FROM FLANDERS 7
Let every Brow Look Pleasant and Airy Fill Bowls with Canary, Our happiness now We'll freely make known There is none but our Foes, This Health will oppose, Let's drink it again, And Crown him with Wishes, And Crown him with Wishes, Of, long live and reign.
Printed for P. Brooksby, J. Deacon, J. Blare, J. Back.
[247]
4 0 4
King Williams welcome home ii, 341, roman and italic type, three columns, one woodcut with the legend " K i n g William'% safe Return from the Camp in Flanders." The ballad was written after the king's return to London on October 10, 1692. In stanza 7 he is peculiarly welcomed to his "Chaist Marias Arms." When he reached Kensington, he must have observed that "there were extraordinary luminaries in all the windows in the publick streets" (Luttrell, 11, 598-599). A huge crowd followed the royal carriage, shouting and halloing, and later they amused themselves by breaking window-panes through which no "luminaries" were to be seen. For the tune see the Roxburghe Ballads, vi, 793, and No. 139. On Thomas Moore see No. 139.1 1 T h e Harvard College Library (Mus. 512.23 F [ 1 9 ] ) has a ballad (with music) called " A d m i r a l Russel's Scowering The French Fleet: Or, T h e Battle at S e a " (beginning " T h u r s d a y in the Morn the Ides of M a y " and dealing with L a Hogue) which was "Printed and Sold b y T . Moore. 1695." Another ballad which he printed on the same subject in 1695 is in the British Museum, C . 39. k. 6.
[148]
K I N G WILLIAM'S WELCOME HOME a n Excellent Jfreto S i n g SSiUtam'ä toelcome ijome Jflanbets.
Call'b, Cfjc Wat& in
Tune of, All happy times, &c. WLiti) SUIotoartre.
ι
T ) R a v e William He is now come ore, JL>And Landed on the English Shoar, All Happiness attend our King, Who has in Flanders so long been.
2
Each Year He to the Wars does go, To meet the proud insulting Foe, No Subject ventures more His Bloud, And all is for Old England's good.
3
The Yet 'Tis 'Tis
4
To England's Monarch, welcome home, To sit upon the Royal Throne, May all the Land rejoyce and Sing, Great William s come, God Save the King.
5
Let Drums now beat, the 'Trumpets sound, For Joy let all the Bells Ring round, Let all the Cannons likewise Roar, A welcome to the British Shoar.
6
Make Bonfires now e'ry where, Make Fire-works fly in the Air, Let Huzzas in the Street abound, Whilst Joy in e'ry Face be found.
7
Welcome, thrice welcome Royal SIR, From the Fatigues and Toyls of War, Unto your Chaist Maria's Arms, Who's made of Love & Beauty's Charms.
Summer's gone, the Winter's come, we enjoy the Rising Sun, William does Great Britain save, 1 He keeps us from being Slaves.
' Perhaps read who Great Britain saves.
[249]
THE PEPYS BALLADS 8
What hardship, and what danger too, Does Valiant William undergo, Each Night He in the Feild does ly, Each day He's where the Bullets fly.
9
If Action happen for to fall, King William's in the midst of all, Tho Horses under Him are slain, Y e t straight He Mounts to fight again.
ιο
Now e'ry honest English Lad, With Glass in Hand, and Heart full glad, Drink William's Welcome home again, To's Royal Consort and his Queen.
11
The People in great numbers fly, T o see the Royal Pair pass by, And thousands in the street are seen, To cry, God save the King and Queen. Printed and Sold by T . Moore.
[250]
4°5 Londons joy ν, f)ooe-maftec0 ©eltgfjt: # t , & brief Account of tfjetc M^MTL^ SHarltfee ^Performances. To the Tune of, The Low-country
Si^B
Souldier.
lUceneeb according to ©rber. 8®ritten bp RICHARD
1
RIGBT,
a Protfjer of «je C m a j f ® .
ι
fy^Ou Gentle-Crafts both far and near, A• Vnto this pleasant Song give ear, The which, in Honour of your Trade, Is nowfor lasting Glory made; For never was it known, Any Trade but your's alone, Related to the Royal Throne: Brave Shooe-makers of old, Were 1 valiant, stout and bold, Right warlike noble Hearts of Gold.
2
They live in Roles of lasting Fame, The first of which I here shall name, Was good Sir Hugh, a worthy Knight, Who for a Lady's Beauty bright, Old cross the raging Main, And when return d again; This Trade alone did him maintain: Brave Shooe-makers of old, Were valiant, stout and bold, Right warlike noble Hearts of Gold.
3
Nay, farther still their Fame shall ring, Two Brothers, Sons unto a King, Crispine and Crispianus who, For fear of Death, in private flew From their Father's Royal Court, As Fame does still report, To Shooe-making they did resort,
Text Where. [261]
THE PEPYS BALLADS And learn'd this Trade of old, As we are truely told, And prov'd right valiant Hearts of Gold
1
4
To Feversham they came with care, And bound themselves both 'Prentice there; 'though Princes of a Royal Birth, They learn d this Trade, and liv'd in Mirth: Crispianus took his way, To see a bloudy Fray; But Crispine he at home did stay: Brave Shooe-makers of old, Were 1 valiant, stout and bold, Right warlike noble Hearts of Gold.
5
While Crispianus gained Renown, By hewing warlike Champions down, Young Crispine he at home remain d, Where he a Lady's Favour gain'd; Her Love had taken root, Therefore, without dispute, There's none but he could fit her Foot: Thus Shooe-makers of old, As Chronicles have told, Were brave heroick Hearts of Gold.
6
Nay, farther yet I will declare, Renowned London'.i brave Lord-mayor, Sir Simon Eyre called by Name, Was a brave Shooe-maker of Fame: What Trade, I pray, beside, Was e're so glorify d As Shooe-makers, who has been try'd By Feats of Arms of old, Both valiant, stout and bold, Heroick warlike Hearts of Gold?
Text Where.
[262]
T H E SHOEMAKERS' DELIGHT 7
A Shooe-maker has been the Head Of a vast Army, which he led Like a Renowned General; Wherefore this 'Trade we must extol Ever-more, from Age to Age, For they 7/ mount the Warlike Stage, And never fearful to engage: Thus Shooe-makers of old, Were 1 valiant, stout and bold, Renowned warlike Hearts of Gold.
8
For Quarter-staff, nay, Sword and Spear, There's few or none could e're come near Renowned Shooe-makers, for they Did at those Weapons often play; And they were so active grown, They would turn their Backs to none: Thus famous Shooe-makers alone, Were the valiant Men of old, Most couragious stout and bold, Heroick warlike Hearts of Gold. London: Printed for J. Shooter.
1
Text Where.
[ 2 6 3 ]
4o8
The Essex miracle π, 79, black letter, three columns, three woodcuts, slightly mutilated. A poor thrasher in Essex was threatened with eviction by his landlord. Providence came to his aid, making his orchard bear a prodigious crop, while the harvests of all his neighbors (who had, presumably, paid their rents) were far below normal. The poor man got £70 for his fruit, paid the landlord, and, thanking God, invested the remainder of his money in two cows. Such was the Essex miracle, though one might suppose that causes not entirely providential caused the poor man's good fortune. The ballad is a rather novel warning to landlords, — a negative warning, as it were, — but, in spite of stanza 2, the prodigy itself was not unique. For example, one of Luttrell's ballads (11, 245, British Museum), " A strange Wonder in Wiltshire, Affirmed by Three Ministers that were Eye-witnesses of this following Relation," tells how in 1674 a rich man sold grain to poor people " a t half-Rates," even buying it at expensive price? and selling it at a fifty per cent loss. As a reward, whenever he ploughed he always had good weather, while in all his fields "there scarce hath grown A Straw with single Ear." Some stalks had five ears, some ten. Furthermore the rich man's cows had twin calves! In 1675 The wonderful Recompence of Faith told of the remarkable good fortune that came to a farmer at Dursley, Gloucestershire. He had lost by fire a barn full of corn, but, "bearing that Loss with an extraordinary Patience, it hath pleased Almighty God, by a Miraculous Providence, to reward him (this Harvest) with a Crop of W h e a t having generally Fifteen good full Ears on every Stalk." More remarkable still was the enormous crop of peas that, according to the chroniclers (for example, Stow's Annals, 1615, p. 627), grew from bare rocks in Orford, Suffolk, during the reign of Queen Mary I to save the poor from want. See further the accounts of a Kentish miracle in The Roxburghe Ballads, v m , 3441, and Nos. 409 and 442.
[264]
THE ESSEX MIRACLE The tune comes from the first line of " T h e Young Lover's Inquiry," a copy of which in the Pepys collection, v, 173, is dated 1692. The music for this tune was written by Henry Purcell, and is discussed in the introduction to No. 137. J . Blare published during the years 1683-1706. A date of about 1692 for his " E s s e x Miracle" seems plausible.
[265]
THE PEPYS
©ft,
BALLADS
®f)c CiJfex t i r a d e : ^"iJonbcr of "fcTiJonbera. (gibing a true Ac-
count of a -poor iftan in Btötreß«, tofjoee ©rcfjatb ti}iä g e a r hill bear a bait entreaae, tfjougfj tfjere be a general etareitp tfjrougJ) tfje ϊ-anb beäibe, tnljici) Stock of Jfruit be έοΐϋ for ®tree g>core anb ®en ^ounbö, bot)iti) entreaee ist loofet upon aö tfje baonberftü fjanb of $robibence at tije ipoor fHans time of JStetreftS. Tune of, If Love's a Sweet Passion.
iUceneeb actorbing to ©rber.
I
Ood People I pray to a wonder give ear, V j T W h i c h has happen'd by Providence this very year, T o the succour and perfect relief of the Poor, Thus we see that the Lord still hath mercys in store, For all those that unto him will make their address, He will never forsake them in times of Distress. [266]
THE ESSEX MIRACLE 1
The like in past Ages the world never knew, And altho' it seems strange it is absolute true, Which I shall in this Ditty discover at large, It is of a Poor Thresher, who had a great charge, To the Lord he in private did make his address, Who relievd him at last in a time of distress.
3
He had a Poor Wife and six Children small, Having none but hip labour to keep them withal, Now his wages was small, and all things being dear, I must tell you his sorrows was sharp and severe, To the Lord still in private he made his address, Who relivd him at last in a time of Distress.
4
This poor man he rented a house and some ground, 'twas an Orchard in which this strange wonder was found Now the times being hard he could not pay his rent, Tho' the Landlord came often without it he went, Therefore many harsh words he would often express, But the poor man was helped in the time of distress.
5
The Landlord for money he made a sad rout, Either pay me, said he, or in short you turn out, For I will have my Rent without longer delay, But the poor man entreated him still that he'd stay, For he hop'd he should pay him yet nevertheless, Tho' at this very time he was much in Distress.
6
The Landlord reply'd these are pretty delays, But I'd very fain know how this money you'll raise, There is half a years Rent now already my due, I will never be fool'd by such Tenants as you. Now the poor man did weep as he this did express, For alas it was then a sad time of distress.
7
The poor man cry'd, Landlord pray ben't so severe, Do but trust me kind Sir to the end of the Tear, And before you shall loose ere a penny by me, I will sell all my goods for to pay you, said he, Now the landlord was pleas'd when he this did express For alas he was poor and in woeful distress. [267]
THE PEPYS BALLADS 8
See what a Miraculous wonder was wrought, Tho' his Neighbour in Orchards no profit had brought, Y e t the Trees in his Orchard this Summer brought mo[re] 1 Than he ever had had since he kept it before. It was all divine Providence surely no less That did help this poor man in the time \_of distress2
9
The Branches was loaded on every Tree It was pleasant, nay sweet and delightful to see, What an Ocean of Fruit in his Orchard he found, Which he sold for no less than full seventy pound, Thus we see how the hand of kind heaven did bless The poor with encrease at the time of distress.
10
W h e n he of the Orchard this money had made, Streight he run to his Landlord and Ioyfully said, I am come for to pay you the Rent which I ow: Now the Landlord was Ioyful to hear it were so, It was all divine Providence surely no less, Which did help this poor man in a time of distress.
11
W h e n he had prais'd God for this happy encrease, W h i c h had brought him from sorrow to pleasure & pea[ce] 2 To the Market next morning away he did hye, W h e r e a Couple of Cows he did readily buy. It was all divine Providence surely no less, That did comfort him thus at a time of distress. Printed for J. Blare at the Looking-Glass on London-Bridge 1
Torn.
2
Dropped out.
[ 268 ]
.J1
4°9 The Kentish wonder ii, 189, black letter, three columns, two woodcuts. T h e date is about 1692. Throughout the history of balladry, engrossers of corn were favorite targets. Because so many were directed against them, one judges that the ballads were as ineffective as the engrossers were successful. Nor has the world changed much to-day. Profiteers are still attacked on every hand; but they do not, so far as I am aware, hang themselves on the expectation of plenty, or become food for rats, or have their houses and barns torn to pieces by winds sent for that purpose by a vengeful devil. In the ballads such were the ordinary punishments of corn-hoarders. The present looking-glass gives a new twist to an old story, when it makes the sheaf of wheat wail like a starving child. A t this wonder the Kentish auditors were as much astonished as were the men of Ulysses when, on the isle of Trinacria, they roasted the sacred cattle of Hyperion and heard the joints of meat lowing on the spits. Of about the same date as " T h e Kentish W o n d e r " is the ballad of " T h e Rich Farmer's R u i n " (Roxburghe Ballads, vi, 535-536). It tells of a farmer who refused to sell his corn for the low market-price; whereupon his troubles began. First his house was robbed of £500, then his cattle died, next his crops failed; in two years he was totally ruined, and he finally died wretchedly in a barn. See also Nos. 408 and 442. For the tune see the introduction to No. 408; for E. T r a c y , No. 405.
[269]
T H E P E P Y S BALLADS ®be Hetrttiij "^TiJonber. ©ft, Wt)e Unmerciful Jfacmerö ifltefortune. Containing an Account of an ©lb Miser, libing in tije (Eoton of iWaulben in tfje Count? of Sent, tijat kept fjie Corn «ο long, infropee it tooulb be etil! Bearer, tfjat at lengtf) tijc berp ^ o g ö tooulb not eat it. Htfeetoiie in f)tö Jftelb tfri« Summer, a öfjeaf of Corn toai Ijearb to crp Itfee a poung C&ilb toijilc it toad bounb, but toben it toad open, anb ipreab, it ceaöeb; but toben bounb up again it bib tijc lifee, to tije afitonisfjment of all £>pectatora. Tune of, If Love's a sweet passion.
3ücenäeb accorbtng to ©rber.
I
/ ^ O m e listen a while and I here will unfold V > A strange Wonder, the like I think never was told, This Miraculous Iudgment from Heaven was sent, To a wealthy old Farmer at Maulden in Kent, Who had laid up his Corn in a plentiful store, For enriching his Coffers, and starving the Poor.
1
It seems that he went to the Market one day, And in presence of many this Miser did say, That a Bushel of W h e a t from his hands should not go At the Price which they sold it, for, said he, I know, That e're long I shall sell it for near as much more: Thus the covetous Wretch was for starving the Poor. [270]
T H E KENTISH WONDER 3
The honest good Farmers that near him did dwell, Did perswade this old covetous creature to sell, For, said they, e're long it may happen to fall, But he made them no Rational Answer at all: Like a wretch void of reason, he bitterly swore, He would keep up his Corn, and a Fig for the Poor.
4
They found him resolved his Barns for to fill, So they let him alone to his resolute will, But he often repeated he made no great doubt, That before the next quarter of a year came about, He should sell up his Corn for almost as much more, Thus he study dfor Riches by starving the Poor.
5
But God he was pleased a Iudgment to send, For the cruel oppression which he did intend. First the W h e a t in his Barns did perish and waste, Having lost its good Virtue, sweet relish and taste, Sure the like was ne'er known in all Ages before, Thus the Wretch was rewarded for starving the Poor.
6
He went to another large Barn of Grain, For to use some of that, but it proved in vain, T o the Mill it was carried with speed to be ground, But when they came to use it no relish was found, Thus a Judgment was sent on his plentiful store, For his being resolved to starve up the poor.
7
Ο then in a Fury he threw it the Swine, And alth' to the E y e it was pleasant and fine, Y e t the Hogs they run from it, refusing to E a t , Or to taste of a grain of the Barley or W h e a t , Thus a Judgement was sent on his plentiful store, For his seeking of Riches by starving the poor.
8
Now here is another strange wonder beside, A new sheave of his Corn like a little Child cry'd, W i t h a voice as if something were to be reveal'd, Now it fill'd them with wonder who were in the Field, When the sheaf they unbound, then it ceased. Therefore 'Twas a Miracle sent with the crys of the Poor. [271]
T H E PEPYS BALLADS They went for to bind up the sheaf once again, Strait the cry of an Infant was heard loud and plain, As a Miracle sent to this wretch from above, For his binding up close the dear Bowels of Love, When at Market he vow'd he would keep up his store, For enriching his Coffers by starring the Poor. So soon as the Corn was at Liberty laid, Strait the Cry was abated, and therefore they said, From the sign that was given did well understand, That no Miser should hoard up the Bread of the land, But as God does afford us a plentiful store, They should have a Compassion and Love to the Poor.
Printed for
E. Tracey, at
the
Three Bibles
[272]
on
London-Bridge.
4 i o
The troubles of this world ii, 87, black letter, four columns, two woodcuts. Other copy: Lord Crawford, No. 756. Wars by sea and land have ruined trading, says this ballad of about 1692. Taxes are exorbitant, the necessities of life are sold at prices beyond all reason, and only the labor of poor men remains cheap. From working they get too little money to feed themselves and their families. A picture equally doleful is drawn in the five ballads that follow. See also No. 106. For the tune see No. 309.
[27 3 ]
THE PEPYS BALLADS ©rouble« of tbis TOorlb; J^otijmg C&eap but $oor ütcn« Uabour. Concluding toitij a Htne of Comfortable Consolation, to Cfjear up our Drooping h e a r t s , tn a time of ©rouble. To the Tune of The Spinning
Wheel.
Hitenöeb according to cotcf) Θ1\, 0 ) < £ ©otonfal of that toonberful g>toarm of Catterptllerg, tot) ο boeß not onlp Jltbour our ^»fjopfecepcrß in Cttp anb Counttp, but Ufeetoise tfje poor of our J&atton, bp tijetr fatee ©ealtng, &c. Tune of, Mary live long.
lUccnöeb accorbmg to ©rber.
1 . . — '
!L
ι
~
"
μ?^-'
—^•a.j.!-^·«·
'.-..-,„.
T T Ere is a new song, I I Good people pray mind it, 1 1 No doubt but you'l find it, Who suffers the wrong by pedling Scots: In their packs they do bear All sorts of shop-ware, and trudge up and down, Which ruins good trading, Which ruins good trading, in City and *Town. [283]
-J§
—ι—«Μί·^·—
THE PEPYS
BALLADS
2
They first under-sell, And yet by their greeting, Their shaming and cheating, A man might as well give still the full price, For in measure or weight They will sharp what they bait; I '11 bet you a crown Such rogues ruins trading., Such rogues ruins trading, in City and Town.
3
Their very Scotch cloath, T h e y cheat in their measure, And do it with pleasure, They come from the North, that nursery of knaves; In your face they will smile And cheat you the while; i'll bet you a crown They are the worst dealers, They are the worst dealers, in City and Town,
4
Good Shop-keepers now Though trade be decaying Great taxes are paying, We then must allow they should have a trade, But each Scot with his pack, Crys, Maids what do you lack? and range up and down, This ruins good tradings This ruins good trading, in City and Town.
5
Though taxes are large, On honest housholders, Maintaining of souldiers, [284]
THE C R A F T Y SCOTCH
PEDLER
Y e t they are at no charge, 'tis very well known T h e y can range too and fro, And where-ever they go run e're trade down, To ruin shop-keepers, To ruin shop-keepers, in City and Town.
1
6
An insolent Scot, Will boast he'll sell cheaper, Then any shopkeeper, For he pays no lot, nor scot to the king, Nor maintaining of poor, And twenty things more, which shop-keepers do, That shows that the Scots are, That shows that the Scots are, a runagate Crew.
7
In barns they lye, And scarce spend a tester, From Easter to Easter; Bag-pudding or pye they'll beg where 1 they sell; And thus in the main, Tho' small is their gain, they will have their due; This shows that the Scots are, This shows that the Scots are, a beggerly Crew.
8
There's not one in ten But know's how to shurck ye, A capon or turkey, And some times a hen; 'tis all one to him,
Τext were. [285]
T H E P E P Y S BALLADS A fat pig or a goose, Nay, turn the knave loose Much more he can do; 'This shows that the Scots are, This shows that the Scots are, a pilfering Crew. 9
ιο
Printed by
I cannot deny, But the poor of our nation Wou'd make lamentation, And want a supply, were pedling put down; But the Scots are a crew Of the devil knows who, there never was more, They swarm 1 from their nation, They swarm from their nation, to eat up our poor. If ought may be got, Without fraud or stealing, By honest plain dealing, Pray why should the Scot, that freedom enjoy? Let the poor of our land Take their callings in hand their sorrow to cure, Their2 nearest related, Their2 nearest related, to us I am sure. Ε. M. for C. Bates
next door to
IVhite-Heart-Tavern
Smithfield. 1
Text
sworm.
2
I. e., they're.
[286]
in
West-
4i3 Old England's new save-all i v , 327, black letter, four columns, two woodcuts. T h e tune (cf. No. 382) indicates that the ballad was written not earlier than 1692 and not later than M a r y ' s death in 1694. As a mere guess, 1692 seems plausible. T h e ballad voices a general complaint of tradesmen for the ruin that has befallen them, while farmers and bakers are living in ease. A tinker, a merchant, Bottom the weaver, and Trueman the tailor utter their complaints; whereupon Tom the shoemaker, who is equally hard up, vows to enlist to fight against Louis X I V and, by conquering him, to remove the sorrows of the tradesmen. Compare Nos. 4 1 0 - 4 1 2 , 4 1 4 , and 4 1 5 .
[ 2 8 7 ]
T H E PEPYS BALLADS ©lb Crxglanb'g J&eto g>abc-all: ΦΜ. ®fje ßoaätins ^farmer's Vain-glorp. {Eogetfjer tottf) tije Merchant, Weaver, anb Taylor ä Hamentation: Condubitig toitfj honest Τom ti)t Cotter'ä &eöolutton. To the Tune of, Let Mary live long.
3Uccttöeb accorbing to ©rbeir.
ι
night in my bed As then I was lying, With grief I was trying, Remembering bread was desperate dear: The Farmers they huff, And the Bakers cry puff, their gains are but small; But I'm sure the poor tradesman, I'm sure the poor tradesman must buy a Save-all. [288]
OLD E N G L A N D ' S N E W 2
SAVE-ALL
Five Farmers we hear, Strong liquor was quaffing, And merrily laughing, The Corn being dear, they well might carrouse: N a y , they often reply'd, Boys, the world's on our side, for liquor let's call;
The labouring tradesman, The labouring tradesman may buy a Save-all.
3
A Tinker that night Sat mending a Kittle, A bold man of mettle, Quoth he, by this light, you are villains in grain: But the weather grows fair, And warm is the air, I hope Corn will fall, And then jolly Farmers, And then jolly Farmers
may buy \_a~\ 1 Save-all.
4
A Merchant stood by, Who griev'd and lamented, And seem'd discontented, I '11 tell you for why, his losses was great: For his Ship homewards bound The French did surround, his comforts was small; He scarce had a penny, He scarce had a penny
to buy a Save-all.
1
Omitted.
[ 2 8 9 ]
THE PEPYS
BALLADS
5
A pox take the French, Quoth Bottom the Weaver, I '11 do my endeavour T o give them a drench of fire and smoak: They have made Silk so dear Amongst tradesmen here, to nothing we fall; Ten thousand poor Weavers, Ten thousand poor Weavers may buy a Save-all.
6
M y case is the same, Says Trueman the Taylor, Wou'd I were a Sailor, For then sick or lame, the King would take care T o maintain me, I know, Now cabage grows low, to nothing I fall; I have not a tester, I have not a tester to buy a Save-all.
7
A sixpenny Loaf, (I will not dissemble) I have made it to tremble, When brisk I took off a pint of good Ale: I may now take my Sheers And clip off my ears, since to starving I fall; Poor tfrueman the Taylor Must live with a Iaylor, or buy a Save-all.
8
Come cease thy complaint, Quoth Torn the Translator, A true small-beer hater, M y cheeks I must paint with liquor of life: [290]
O L D E N G L A N D ' S N E W SAVE-ALL Let us drink, boys, and fight, That our wrongs we may right; the French let us maul, Or else the whole Nation, Or else the whole Nation may buy a Save-all. 9
io
I '11 throw by my Last, On board I will enter, My life I will venter, To blow them a blast, which they little dread: While our Cannons do roar, We will drive them to shore with powder and ball; Or else poor old England, Or else poor old England may buy a Save-all. N e ' r sit like a moam, Here weeping and whining, Nay, sighing and pining, We leave house and home to meet the proud French: Come, by thousands let's go, We must soon lay them low, and make their pride fall; Or else poor old England, Or else poor old England may buy a Save-all.
Printed for P. Brooksby, at the Golden Ball in Pye-corner, near WestSmithfield.
[291 ]
4 1 4
The shop-keepers complaint i v , 328, black letter, three columns, three woodcuts. The date of this ballad is uncertain. I assume that it is about 1692, in order to place it with Nos. 4 1 0 - 4 1 3 , which it resembles in theme. Here the poor shop-keepers lament the decay of trading, and philosophically declare their intention of fighting and conquering Louis X I V — the only way in which the times may be mended and absolute ruin staved off. For the tune see Nos, 144 and 327.
[292]
THE SHOP-KEEPERS'
COMPLAINT
®fje gHjop-feeeper'ö Complaint: Containing the loud Lamentation of many worthy Citizens for the Downfall of Trading. To the Tune of, Rüssels Farewel.
1
ι
Λ Las! poor Brother Shop-keepers, - x V w h a t must we follow now ? Our Callings they are grown so low, to live we know not how: If Heaven do's not cast a Smile, we shall to Ruin fall, And in a very little while, we must to Begging all.
ι
House-keeping is no little charge, besides our Rents are dear, And that which does our grief enlarge small Takings do's appear; The like before I never knew, which makes our comfort small, Alas, alas, what shall we do, we must a Begging all.
3
Our Wives which did large Portions bring, a splended Life to lead, T h e y now a woful D i t t y sing, which makes our Hearts to bleed: For in their Shops they sit all day, while takings are but small, And then at Night they sighing say, we must a Begging all.
4
T h a t little Trading that we have, 'tis ten to one we trust, While our Snail-footed 1 Customers, declares, that wait we must:
Τext Snoil-footed.
C -93 3
THE PEPYS BALLADS While they proclaim their Penneries, as loud as they can ball, This sorrow do's our Senses sieze, we must a Begging all. 5
Our Creditors come raving first, and blames a long delay, They ne'er consider how we trust, but Dun us e'ery day; They must have Mony out of hand, thus they like Hectors ball: Our Callings surely cannot stand, we must a Begging all.
6
There must be then no longer let, they will not be deny'd, For if we cannot pay the Debt, a Serjeant is imploy'd: Then to the Compter must we go, where Comfort is but small; Now Neighbour since the case is so, we must a Begging all.
7
Among our many Griefs and Care, if on the Road we go, Our sinking Station to repair, why this brings grief and woe: Now what to do we cannot tell, since Trading thus does fall, All Happy Days we bid farewel, we must a Begging all.
8 The Glory of the Golden Age, has took its last Good-Night, While Grief and Sorrow mounts the Stage, and puts our Ioy to flight: Against proud France let us contend, and give their Pride a fall; For if these times do never mend, we must a Begging all. [294]
THE SHOP-KEEPERS' 9
ιο
Great William our renowned King, with brave Commanders bold, Their Fame shall through fair Flanders Ring, like noble Hearts of Gold. And storm the Towns with loud Alarms, and roaring Cannon-Bail, Therefore let us away to Arms. and fight like Soldiers all. W h y should we tarry here in Town; let's march with speed away, T o purchase Honour and Renoun, and in the bloudy Fray: The Mighty Force of France shall yield, and soon for mercy call, For why our Swords shall reap the Field, we 71 Fight like Soldiers all.
Printed for P. BrooksbyJ. 1
COMPLAINT
Deacon, J. Blare, and J. Back.
T e x t Brooskby.
[295]
4i5 The inn-keepers complaint lv
> 33°) black letter, four columns, six woodcuts. Other copies: British Museum, C. 22. f. 6 (127); Lord Crawford, No. 1001; Harvard, i, 92. Thanks to the tax on malt and to the increased cost of living, innkeepers find their trade gone. Bankruptcy stares them in the face, and no relief is in sight. Yet a righteous war against popery and France are responsible for this condition, so that inn-keepers and other honest loyal men must cheerfully help William I I I and patiently wait for peace to restore their business. Compare Nos. 4 1 0 414. For the tune, which suggests a date of about 1692, see No. 402.
[296]
THE INN-KEEPERS'
COMPLAINT
3nn-tteepet'S Complaint; Φ3&, Countrp 'FictuaUor'g lamentation for tfje Hearness of MALT, Mtytb binber'S tf)etr afforbing ttjcir g>j)Otjflaggons: conclubing tot'tfj a J^ope of seeing 3£appp B a p a after tfjte &opal Becent. To the Tune of, Let Mary live long.
Eiceneeb accorbing to ©rber. ι
"DOor Innkeepers now, JL all over the nation, make sad lamentation; We cannot allow, large measure of late; For the Malt here does rise. Beside double Excise, which grieve's us full sore: We can't sell large flaggons, We can't sell large flaggons, as we did before.
1
Poor Inn-keepers they, do scarce take a penny, or two-pence of any, Sometimes in a day, since trading is dead: For the generous soul, Who did love a full bowl, great husbands they grow, Which ruin's our calling, &c. good people you know.
3
'Twas happy when we, had farmers and plowmen, rich grasiers and yeomen, Who noble and free, would call in for ale; [297]
THE PEPYS BALLADS While in mirth they did roar, We could decently score, two flaggons for one: But now they'r grown saving, But now they'r grown saving, it cannot be done. 4
We then could afford, to keep a good table, alass! we were able To bring to the board, good bacon or beef, As a relishing bit, That all day they might sit, and business ply; Vntil their dear noses, Vntil their dear noses, was of a deep dye.
5
A t paying their shot, we hated all sneaking, without any speaking, A come-again-pot, we'd presently draw: Which would settle them in, To their drinking agen; this frequently made, Among the Inn-keepers, Among the Inn-keepers, a delicate trade.
6
But Malt now is dear, with taxes and trouble, it make's the price double, And therefore I fear, Inn-keepers will break:
[298]
THE INN-KEEPERS'
COMPLAINT
Instead of coin'd plate, Heavy farthings of late, does plague us likewise: While no 1 one collecter, While no 1 one collecter, will take for excise. 7
In ten or twelve pound, the Maltster s unwilling, to take twenty shilling, He cry's he's not bound, to take no such sum: Thus a racket they make, When 'tis half that we take; (men down with their dust,) And if we refuse it, And if we refuse it, ifaith we must trust.
8
Though taxes are large, and silver be scanty, while farthings are plenty; Y e t still we'll discharge our duty like men: N a y , and patiently wait For a flourishing state, when William our King, The Crown of old Lewis, The Crown of old Lewis, to England shall bring.
9
A royal decent, our monarch is making, while Lewis is quaking; Then let us content ourselves for a while:
' Read Which not.
[299]
T H E P E P Y S BALLADS We will 1 see happy days, Which our spirits will raise, and give France they'r bane, Then, then, the shot-flaggon, Then, then, the shot-flaggon, you shall have again. Printed for J. Blare, at the Looking-glass on London-Bridge. 1
Text wall.
[ 3 0 ° ]
4-i6
The female soldier ii, 350, black letter, three columns, three woodcuts. A kind of recruiting advertisement, the purpose of which is to shame young men into enlisting to fight the French by telling of a "virgin volunteer." Assuming the name of John Change, a young girl enlists, and serves some time before she is discovered and discharged. But "John Change" of William and Mary's time, though ardent in patriotism, cannot compare with the female soldiers of earlier days who, like Mary Ambree, actually fought. For other illustrations of female warriors see my Cavalier and Puritan, pp. 61-62; The Roxburghe Ballads, VII, 727-733; and Nos. 330 and 386. For the tune see Nos. 306, 314, and 346.
[30 1 ]
T H E PEPYS BALLADS wme
jfcmaic t&be Virgin Volunteer:
To the Tune of, Let the Souldiers
Rejoyce.
ILtcentfeb accotbt'ng to