How it came about, I hardly know: but something was brought up about King's store of ballads, and he was asked to give us his favourite one, "Lord Bateman," for the benefit of the company. He turned very shy, but Captain Sanker told him not to be silly: and after going white and red for a bit, he began. Perhaps the reader would like to hear it. I never repeat it to myself, no, nor even a verse of it, but poor King Sanker comes before me just as I saw him that day, his back to the ravine below, his eyes looking at nothing, his thin hands nervously twisting some paper about that had covered the basket of raspberries. Lord Bateman was a noble lord, A noble lord of high degree: He shipped himself on board a ship; Some foreign country he would see. He sailed east, he sailèd west, Until he came unto Turkey, Where he was taken, and put in prison Until his life was quite weary. In this prison there grew a tree: It grew so very stout and strong: And he was chained by the middle Until his life was almost gone. The Turk, he had one only daughter, The fairest creature eye e'er did see: She stole the keys of her father's prison, And said she'd set Lord Bateman free. "Have you got houses?--have you got lands Or does Northumberland belong to thee? And what would you give to the fair young I Who out of prison would set you free?" "Oh, I've got houses, and I've got lands, And half Northumberland belongs to me; And I'd give it all to the fair young lady That out of prison would set me free." Then she took him to her father's palace, And gave to him the best of wine; And every health that she drank to him Was "I wish, Lord Bateman, you were mine. "For seven long years I'll make a vow; And seven long years I'll keep it strong: If you will wed no other woman, I will wed no other man." Then she took him to her father's harbour, And gave to him a ship of fame; "Farewell, farewell to you, Lord Bateman; I fear I never shall see you again." When seven long years were gone and past, And fourteen days, well known to me; She packed up her gay gold and clothing, And said Lord Bateman she would see. When she came to Lord Bateman's castle, So boldly there she rang the bell: "Who's there, who's there?" cried the young proud porter: "Who's there, who's there, unto me tell?" "Oh, is this Lord's Bateman's castle? And is his lordship here within?" "Oh yes, oh yes," cried the young proud porter: "He has just now taken his young bride in." "Tell him to send me a slice of cake, And a bottle of the best of wine; And not to forget the fair young lady That did release him when close confined."