Wit and Mirth: or Pills to Purge Melancholy, Vol. 5 of 6
General
Wit and Mirth: or Pills to Purge Melancholy, Vol. 5 of 6
Ballads, English; Songs, English
This Maid she made no more ado,
But to a Justice went;
And unto him she made her moan,
Who did her Case lament:
She said she had a Cellar Let out,
To a Vintner in the Town;
And how that he did then agree
Five Pound to pay her down.
But now, quoth she, the Case is thus,
No Rent that he will pay;
Therefore your Worship I beseech,
To send for him this Day:
Then strait the Justice for him sent,
And asked the Reason why;
That he would pay this Maid no Rent?
To which he did Reply,
Although I hired a Cellar of her,
And the Possession was mine?
I ne'er put any thing into it,
But one poor Pipe of Wine:
Therefore my Bargain it was hard,
As you may plainly see;
I from my Freedom was Debarr'd,
Then good Sir favour me.
This Fair Maid being ripe of Wit,
She strait Reply'd again;
There were two Butts more at the Door,
Why did you not roul them in?
You had your Freedom and your Will,
As is to you well known;
Therefore I do desire still,
For to receive my own.
The Justice hearing of their Case,
Did then give Order strait;
That he the Money should pay down,
She should no longer wait:
Withal he told the Vintner plain
If he a Tennant be;
He must expect to pay the same,
For he could not sit Rent-free.
But when the Money she had got,
She put it in her Purse:
And clapt her Hand on the Cellar Door,
And said it was never the worse:
Which caused the People all to Laugh,
To see this Vintner Fine:
Out-witted by a Country Girl,
About his Pipe of Wine.
_The most Famous_ BALLAD
_Of King_ HENRY _the 5th; his Victory over the_ French _at_ Agencourt.
[Music]
A Councel grave our King did hold,
With many a Lord and Knight:
That he might truly understand,
That _France_ did hold his Right.
Unto the King of _France_ therefore,
Embassadors he sent;
That he might truly understand,
His Mind and whole Intent.
Desiring him in friendly sort,
His lawful Right to yield;
Or else he swore by dint of Sword,
To win it in the Field.
The King of _France_ with all his Lords,
Did hear this Message plain;
And to our brave Embassador,
Did answer with Disdain.
And said our King was yet too young,
And of but tender Age;
Therefore they pass not for his Threats,
Nor fear not his Courage.
His Knowledge yet in Feats of Arms,
As yet is very small;
His tender Joints more fitter are,
To toss a Tennis-ball.
A Tun of Tennis-balls therefore,
In Pride and great Disdain;
He sent unto this Royal King,
To recompence his Pain.
Which Answer when our King did hear,
He waxed wroth in Heart;
And swore he would provide such Balls,
Should make all _France_ to smart.
An Army then our King did hold,
Which was both good and strong;
And from _Southampton_ is our King,
With all his Navy gone.
In _France_ he landed safe and sound,
Both he and all his Train;
And to the Town of _Husle_ then
He marched up amain.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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