[1129] into my bill = on paper, in writing. [1130] weme = inward. [1131] wayte = wait in ambush. [1132] tree and teene = injury and grief. [1133] osterne = austere. [1134] of third degree = third cousins. [1135] out-rake = holiday. [1136] wight = strong. _130. Sir Andrew Barton_ I As it befel in midsummer-time, When birds singe sweetlye on every tree, Our noble king, King Henry the Eighth, Over the river of Thames pass’d he. II He was no sooner over the river, Downe in a forrest to take the ayre, But eighty merchants of London citye Came kneeling before King Henry there. III ‘O ye are welcome, rich merchànts, Good saylers, welcome unto me!’ They swore by the rood they were saylers good, But rich merchànts they co’ld not be. IV ‘To France nor Flanders dare we not passe, Nor Bourdeaux voyage we dare not fare, All for a false robber that lyes on the seas, And robbs us of our merchants-ware.’ V King Henry was stout, and he turned him about, And swore by the Lord that was mickle of might ‘I thought he’d not been in the world throughout That durst have wrought England such unright.’ VI But ever they sighèd, and said, alas! Unto King Harry this answer againe: ‘He is a proud Scott that will robb us all Were we twenty shipps and he but one.’ VII The King looket over his left shouldèr, Amongst his lords and barrons so free: ‘Have I never a lord in all my realme Will fetch yond traitor unto me?’ VIII ‘Yes, that dare I!’ says my lord Charles Howard, Neere to the King wheras he did stand, ‘If that Your Grace will give me leave, My self will perform what you command.’ IX ‘Thou shalt have six hundred men,’ saith our King, ‘And chuse them out of my realme so free; [Moreover] mariners and ship boyes, To guide the great ship on the sea.’ X ‘I’le goe speake with Sir Andrew,’ says my Lord Howard; ‘Upon the sea, if he be there; I will bring him and his ship to shore, Or before my prince I will ne’er come neere.’ XI The first of all my Lord did call, A noble gunner he was one; This man was three score yeares and ten, And Peter Simon was his name. XII ‘Peter,’ says he, ‘I must sayle to the sea, To seek out an enemy; God be my speed! Before all others I have chosen thee; Of a hundred gunners thou’st be my head.’ XIII ‘My lord,’ says he, ‘if you’ve chosen me Of a hundred gunners to be the head, You may hang me at your maine-mast tree If I miss my mark past three pence bread[1137].’ XIV The next of all my lord he did call, A noble bowman he was one; In Yorkshire was this gentleman borne, And William Horsley was his name. XV