Did fetch a grievous groane,

As tho' his heart would burst in twaine,

Whose bride was brought unto the grave

A maiden and a wife.

120

125

In earth they laid her then,
For hungry wormes a preye;
So shall the fairest face alive

At length be brought to claye.

130

XIV.

Dulcina.

Given from two ancient copies, one in black-print, in the Pepys Collection, the other in the Editor's folio MS. Each of these contained a stanza not found in the other. What seemed the best readings were selected from both.

This song is quoted as very popular in Walton's Compleat Ang'er, chap. ii. It is more ancient than the ballad of Robin Good-fellow, printed below, which yet is supposed to have been written by Ben

To depart her presence soe;

Having a thousand tongues to allure him,

And but one to bid him goe.

Where lipps invite,

And eyes delight,

15

66

"Forgoe me now, come to me soone."

20

He demands what time for pleasure

Can there be more fit than now;

She sayes, "Night gives love that leysure
Which the day can not allow."
He sayes, “The sight
'Improves delight."

'Which she denies; " Nights mirkie noone

In Venus' playes

Makes bold," shee sayes;

25

'Forgoe me now, come to me soone.'

999

30

But what promise or profession

From his hands could purchase scope?

Who would sell the sweet possession
Of suche beautye for a hope?

Or for the sight

Of lingering night

Foregoe the present joyes of noone?

Though ne'er soe faire

Her speeches were,

"Forgoe me now, come to me soone."

35

40

How, at last, agreed these lovers?

Shee was fayre and he was young.

The tongue may tell what th' eye discovers:

Joyes unseene are never sung.

Did shee consent,

45

Or he relent?

Accepts he night, or grants shee noone?

Left he her a mayd

Or not? She sayd,

"Forgoe me now, come to me soone."

50

XV.

The Lady Isabella's Tragedy.

This ballad is given from an old black-letter copy in the Pepys Collection, collated with another in the British Museum, H. 263, folio. It is there entitled, "The Lady Isabella's Tragedy, or the Step-Mother's

Cruelty; being a relation of a lamentable and cruel murther, committed on the body of the lady Isabella, the only daughter of a noble Duke, &c. To the tune of The Lady's Fall." To some copies are annexed eight more modern stanzas, entitled, "The Dutchess's and Cook's Lamentation."

THERE was a lord of worthy fame,
And a hunting he would ride,
Attended by a noble traine
Of gentrye by his side.

And while he did in chase remaine,
To see both sport and playe,
His ladye went, as she did feigne,
Unto the church to praye.

5

"Go home, sweet daughter, I thee praye,
Go hasten presentlie,

And tell unto the master-cook

These wordes that I tell thee.

"And bid him dresse to dinner streight

That faire and milk-white doe

That in the park doth shine so bright,

There's none so faire to showe."

25

30

You needes must dresse the milk-white doe,

Which you do knowe full well."