'The gallant Lord Courtenay, both valiant and bold, Rode forth with great plenty of silver and gold, At Exeter there (for) a purchase to pay, But that the false Cripple his journey did stay. 'For why, the false Cripple heard tidings of late, As he lay for almes at this noble-man's gate, What day and what houre his journey should be; "This is," quoth the Cripple, "a booty for me." 'Then to his companions this matter he moved, Which he in like actions before-time had proved; They make themselves ready, and deeply they sweare, This money's their own, before they come there. 'Upon his two stilts the Cripple doth mount, To have the best share he makes his account; All clothed in canvas downe to the ground, He takes up his standing, his mates with him round. 'Then comes the Lord Courtenay, with half a score men, That little suspected these thieves in their den, And they (thus) perceiving them come to their hand, In a darke (winter's) evening, they bid him to stand. '"Deliver thy purse," quoth the Cripple, "with speed-- For we be good fellows and thereof have need." "Not so," quoth Lord Countenay, "but this I'll tell ye, Win it and wear it, else get none of me." 'With that the Lord Courtenay stood on his defence, And so did his servants; but ere they went hence, Two of the true men were slain in the fight, And four of the thieves were put to the flight. 'And while for their safeguard they run thus away, The jolly bold Cripple did hold the rest play, And with his pikestaff he wounded them so, As they were unable to run or to go. 'With fighting the Lord Courtney was driven out of breath, And most of his servants were wounded to death, Then came other horsemen riding so fast, The Cripple was forced to flye at the last. 'And over a river that ran there beside, Which was very deep and eighteen foot wide, With his long staff and his stilts leaped he, And shifted himself in an old hollow tree. 'Then through the country was hue and cry made, To have these bold thieves apprehended and staid; The Cripple he creep on his hands and his knees, And on the hieway great posting he sees. 'And as they came riding, he begging doth say, "O give me one penny, good masters, I pray;" And thus on to Exeter creeps he along, No man suspecting that he had done wrong. 'Anon the Lord Courtney he spies in the street, He comes unto him and he kisses his feet, Saying, "God save your honour and keep you from ill, And from the hands of your enemies still!" '"Amen!" quoth Lord Courtney, and therewith flung downe Unto the poor Cripple an English crowne; Away went the Cripple, and thus did he thinke, "Five hundred pound more would make me to drinke."