THE THREE KNIGHTS.
(TRADITIONAL.)
[The Three Knights was first printed by the late Davies Gilbert, F.R.S., in the appendix to his work on Christmas Carols. Mr. Gilbert thought that some verses were wanting after the eighth stanza; but we entertain a different opinion. A conjectural emendation made in the ninth verse, viz., the substitution of far for for, seems to render the ballad perfect. The ballad is still popular amongst the peasantry in the West of England. The tune is given by Gilbert. The refrain, in the second and fourth lines, printed with the first verse, should be repeated in recitation in every verse.]
There did three Knights come from the west,
With the high and the lily oh!
And these three Knights courted one ladye,
As the rose was so sweetly blown.
The first Knight came was all in white,
And asked of her if she’d be his delight.
The next Knight came was all in green,
And asked of her if she’d be his queen.
The third Knight came was all in red,
And asked of her if she would wed.
‘Then have you asked of my father dear?
Likewise of her who did me bear?
‘And have you asked of my brother John?
And also of my sister Anne?’
‘Yes, I’ve asked of your father dear,
Likewise of her who did you bear.
‘And I’ve asked of your sister Anne,
But I’ve not asked of your brother John.’
Far on the road as they rode along,
There did they meet with her brother John.
She stoopèd low to kiss him sweet,
He to her heart did a dagger meet. [51]
‘Ride on, ride on,’ cried the servingman,
‘Methinks your bride she looks wondrous wan.’
‘I wish I were on yonder stile,
For there I would sit and bleed awhile.
‘I wish I were on yonder hill,
There I’d alight and make my will.’
‘What would you give to your father dear?’
‘The gallant steed which doth me bear.’
‘What would you give to your mother dear?’
‘My wedding shift which I do wear.
‘But she must wash it very clean,
For my heart’s blood sticks in every seam.’
‘What would you give to your sister Anne?’
‘My gay gold ring, and my feathered fan.’
‘What would you give to your brother John?’
‘A rope, and a gallows to hang him on.’
‘What would you give to your brother John’s wife?’
‘A widow’s weeds, and a quiet life.’
THE BLIND BEGGAR OF BEDNALL GREEN.
SHOWING HOW HIS DAUGHTER WAS MARRIED TO A KNIGHT, AND HAD THREE THOUSAND POUND TO HER PORTION.
[Percy’s copy of The Beggar’s Daughter of Bednall Green is known to be very incorrect: besides many alterations and improvements which it received at the hands of the Bishop, it contains no less than eight stanzas written by Robert Dodsley, the author of The Economy of Human Life. So far as poetry is concerned, there cannot be a question that the version in the Reliques is far superior to the original, which is still a popular favourite, and a correct copy of which is now given, as it appears in all the common broadside editions that have been printed from 1672 to the present time. Although the original copies have all perished, the ballad has been very satisfactorily proved by Percy to have been written in the reign of Elizabeth. The present reprint is from a modern copy, carefully collated with one in the Bagford Collection, entitled,
‘The rarest ballad that ever was seen,
Of the Blind Beggar’s Daughter of Bednal Green.’
The imprint to it is, ‘Printed by and for W. Onley; and are to be sold by C. Bates, at the sign of the Sun and Bible, in Pye Corner.’ The very antiquated orthography adopted in some editions does not rest on any authority. For two tunes to The Blind Beggar, see Popular Music.]
PART I.