This copy of _Sir Andrew Barton_ is to be found in _Old Ballads_ (1723) vol. i. 159, Ritson's _Ancient Songs_, ii. 204, Moore's _Pictorial Book of Ancient Ballad Poetry_, p. 256, and _Early Naval Ballads of England_, Percy Society, vol. ii. p. 4, with only exceedingly trifling variations. We have followed the last, where the ballad is given from a black-letter copy in the British Museum, "printed by and for W. O., and sold by the booksellers." When Flora with her fragrant flowers, Bedeckt the earth so trim and gay, And Neptune with his dainty showers, Came to present the month of May, King Henry would a-hunting ride; 5 Over the river Thames passed he, Unto a mountain-top also Did walk, some pleasure for to see. Where forty merchants he espy'd, With fifty sail came towards him, 10 Who then no sooner were arriv'd, But on their knees did thus complain; "An't please your grace, we cannot sail To France no voyage to be sure, But Sir Andrew Barton makes us quail, 15 And robs us of our marchant ware." Vext was the king, and turning him, Said to the lords of high degree, "Have I ne'er a lord within my realm, Dare fetch that traytor unto me?" 20 To him reply'd Charles Lord Howard, "I will, my liege, with heart and hand; If it will please you grant me leave," he said, "I will perform what you command." To him then spoke King Henry, 25 "I fear, my lord, you are too young." "No whit at all, my liege," quoth he; "I hope to prove in valour strong. The Scotch knight I vow to seek, In what place soever he be, 30 And bring ashore with all his might, Or into Scotland he shall carry me." "A hundred men," the king then said, "Out of my realm shall chosen be, Besides sailors and ship-boys, 35 To guide a great ship on the sea. Bowmen and gunners of good skill, Shall for this service chosen be, And they at thy command and will In all affairs shall wait on thee." 40 Lord Howard call'd a gunner then, Who was the best in all the realm, His age was threescore years and ten, And Peter Simon was his name. My lord call'd then a bow-man rare, 45 Whose active hands had gained fame A gentleman born in Yorkshire, And William Horsely was his name.