POPULAR BALLAD ON THE ACCESSION OF EDWARD IV. (1461).
Source.—Archæologia, vol. xxix., p. 130.
"On Thursday the first week in Lent came Edward to London with thirty thousand men, and so in field and town everyone called Edward King of England and France."
Since God hath chosen thee to be his Knight,
And possessed thee in this right,
Then him honour with all thy might,
Edwardus Dei gratia!
Out of the stock that long lay dead,
God hath caused thee to spring and spread,
And of all England to be the head,
Edwardus Dei gratia!
Since God hath given thee through his might,
Out of that stock bred in sight,
The flower to spring and rose so white,
Edwardus Dei gratia!
Then give him laud and praising,
Thou virgin Knight of whom we sing,
Undefiled since thy beginning,
Edwardus Dei gratia!
God save thy countenance,
And so prosper to his pleasance,
That ever thine estate thou mayst enhance,
Edwardus Dei gratia!