When a raven shall build in a stone lion’s mouth, On a church top beside the grey forest, Then shall a king of England be drove from his crown, And return no more. When an eagle shall sit on the top of Vale-Royal house, Then shall an heir be born, who shall live to see great troubles in England. There shall be a miller nam’d Peter, With two heels on one foot, Who shall distinguish himself bravely, And shall be knighted by the victor: For foreign nations shall invade England; But the invader shall be killed, And laid across a horse’s back, And led in triumph. A boy shall be born with three thumbs on one hand, Who shall hold three King’s horses, Whilst England three times is won and lost in one day. But after this shall be happy days, A new set of people of virtuous manners shall live in peace. But the wall of Vale-Royal near the pond shall be the token of its truth, For it shall fall: If it fall downwards, Then shall the church be sunk for ever: But if it fall upwards against a hill, Then shall the church and honest men live still. Under this wall shall be found the bones of a British King. Peckforton-mill shall be removed to Ludington hill, And three days blood shall turn Noginshire-mill. But beware of a chance to the lord of Oulton, Lest he should be hanged at his own door. A crow shall sit on the top of Headless cross, In the forest so grey, And drink of the nobles’ gentle blood so free; Twenty hundred horses shall want masters, Till their girths shall rot under their bellies. Thro’ our own money and our own men, Shall a dreadful war begin; Between the sickle and the suck, All England shall have a pluck; And be several times forsworn, And put to their wits’ end, That it shall not be known, whether to reap their corn, Bury their dead, or go to the field to fight. A great scarcity of bread corn. Foreign nations shall invade England with snow on their helmets, And shall bring plague, famine, and murder in the skirts of their garments. A great tax will be granted but never gathered. Between a rick and two trees, A famous battle fought shall be. London street shall run with blood And at last shall sink, So that it shall be fulfilled, Lincoln was, London is, and York shall be The finest city of the three. There will be three gates to London of imprisoned men for cowsters. Then if you have three cows, at the first gate fell one, and keep thee at home, At the second gate fell the other two, and keep thee at home. At the last gate all shall be done. When summer in winter shall come, And peace is made at every man’s home, Then shall be danger of war; For tho’ with peace at night the nation ring, Men shall rise to war in the morning.