That he might go

Service to shew

To him both far and near,
Who little thought,

What love she ought,

To the pride of Leycestershire.

This lord did take her, as she seem'd To be a pretty lad,

And for his page he her esteem'd, Which made her heart full glad : To sea went she,

And so did he,

Whom she esteem'd so dear,

Who for her sake,

Great moan did make,

And shed full many a tear.

Thus he, poor lad, lay with his love,
Full many a tedious night,
Yet neither of them both did prove
A lover's true delight:

She heard him weep,

When he should sleep,

Long time these lovers travell'd,
And were bed-fellows still,

Yet she did keep her maiden-head
Untill she had her will.

She heard his moan,

Yet still unknown,
She kept herself for fear,

Yet at the last

She cleaved full fast

To the pride of Leycestershire.

For having travelled six weeks,
Unknown unto her lover,
With rosy blushes in her cheeks,
Her mind she did discover:
See here, quoth she,
One, that for thee

Hath left her parents dear :

Poor Margery,

The maid of Rye,

I am, behold me here.

When Anthony did hear this word,
His heart with joy did leap,,

He went unto his noble lord,
To whom he did report,

This wonderful thing
Which straight did bring
Amazement to him there,
Of such a page

In any age,

Quoth he, I did not hear.

At Magrum then, in Germany,
Their lord did see them married,
From whence unto the town of Rye,
In England were they carried.
Where now they dwell,

Beloved well

Of neighbours far and near,

Sweet Margery

Loves Anthony,

The pride of Leycestershire.

You maids and young men warning take
By these two lovers kind,
Whoever you your choice do make,

To them be true in mind:

For perfect love

Comes from above,

As may by this appear,

Which came to pass

By Sussex lass

And the lad of Leycestershire.

XVI.

THE TWO FAITHFUL FRIENDS,

"The pleasant History of Alexander and Lodwicke, who were so like one another, that none could know them asunder; wherein is declared how Lodwicke married the Princesse of Hungaria, in Alexander's name, and how each night he layd a naked sword betweene him and the Princesse, because he would not wrong his friend." To the tune of Flying Fame.

[From the Pepys Collection.]

THE Emperor of Germany
A turney did ploclaim,
When many princes of renown,

Resorted to the same;

Amongst the rest Prince Lodwicke,
And Guido, prince of Spain,
Prince Alexander likewise came,
Great honors to obtain.

The champions entered the field With carriage stout and bold, Lodowicke of France most manfully, Whose armour shin'd like gold.

Prince Alexander was the next
That entered in the field,
And like a champion stout and bold,
He did advance his shield:

The haughty Spaniard with the rest
His valor there did shew,
But Alexander by his strength,
Gave him the overthrow.

The valiant Prince of Hungary,
Brave Alexander he,

From all the champions in the field

He won the victory, Thus he by valor did obtain

The princess from them all, But yet in Hungary she liv'd, That had his heart in thrall.

The Emperor his promise kept,
And to the conqueror gave
His only daughter for his wife,

Whom Lodwick most did crave,