[134]. But it had this name long before; being so called from its being a common sewer (vulgarly shore) or drain.—Percy.
A TRUE RELATION OE THE LIFE AND DEATH OF SIR ANDREW BARTON, A PYRATE AND ROVER ON THE SEAS.
This copy of Sir Andrew Barton is to be found in Old Ballads (1723) vol. i. 159, Ritson's Ancient Songs, ii. 204, Moore's Pictorial Book of Ancient Ballad Poetry, p. 256, and Early Naval Ballads of England, Percy Society, vol. ii. p. 4, with only exceedingly trifling variations. We have followed the last, where the ballad is given from a black-letter copy in the British Museum, "printed by and for W. O., and sold by the booksellers."
When Flora with her fragrant flowers,
Bedeckt the earth so trim and gay,
And Neptune with his dainty showers,
Came to present the month of May,
King Henry would a-hunting ride;5
Over the river Thames passed he,
Unto a mountain-top also
Did walk, some pleasure for to see.
Where forty merchants he espy'd,
With fifty sail came towards him,10
Who then no sooner were arriv'd,
But on their knees did thus complain;
"An't please your grace, we cannot sail
To France no voyage to be sure,
But Sir Andrew Barton makes us quail,15
And robs us of our marchant ware."
Vext was the king, and turning him,
Said to the lords of high degree,
"Have I ne'er a lord within my realm,
Dare fetch that traytor unto me?"20
To him reply'd Charles Lord Howard,
"I will, my liege, with heart and hand;
If it will please you grant me leave," he said,
"I will perform what you command."
To him then spoke King Henry,25
"I fear, my lord, you are too young."
"No whit at all, my liege," quoth he;
"I hope to prove in valour strong.
The Scotch knight I vow to seek,
In what place soever he be,30
And bring ashore with all his might,
Or into Scotland he shall carry me."