A BALLAD

There was three kings into the east,

Three kings both great and high, And they hae sworn a solemn oath

John Barleycorn should die.

They took a plough, and plough'd him down ;

Put clods upon his head ; And they hae sworn a solemn oath,

John Barleycorn was dead.

But the chearful ispring came kindly on.

And show'rs began to fall :

John Barleycorn, got up again

And sore surpris'd them ail.

The sultry suns of summer came

And he grew thick and strong, His head weel nrm'd wi' pointed spears,

That no one should him wrong,

The sober Autumn enter'd mild,

When he grew wan and pale ; His bending joints and drooping head

Show'd he began to fail.

His colour sicken'd more and more :

He faded into âge :

And then his ennemies began

To show Iheir deadly rage.

NOTES 169

They've laen u wcnpon long and sharp

And cul hiin by the knee :

Then ly'd him fast upon a cari,

Like a rog^c for forgerie.

They laid hiiu down upon his back

And cudgell'd him full sore :

They hung him up before Ihe slorm,

And turn'd him o'or nnd o'er.

They filled up a darksonc pil

Wilh water lo Ihe brini, They lieaved in John IJarleycorn,

There lot him sink or swini.

« They laid him oui upon the tlooi'

« To work his farlher woe, M And still, as signs of life appear'd,

« They loss'd him to and fro. »

M They wasled o'er a scorching finme

« The marrow of his bones. »

Bul a miller us'd liini worst of ail,

For he crush'd him belwecn two slones.

And they hae taen his very heart's blood,

And drank il round and round :

And slill llic more and more they drank

Their joy did more abound.

John Barleycorn was a hero bold,

Of noble enlerprisc :

For if you do but tasle his blood

Twill make your courage rise.

Twill make a man forget his woe :

Twill heighten ail his joy :

Twill make the widow's hearl to sing

Tho' the tear were in her eye.

Then let us toast John Barleycorn

Each man a glass in hand :

And may his greal posterity

Ne'er fail in auld Scotland!

L'AMOUR AFRICAIN

COMÉDIE

Amor loco A dos fldalgos disparô la flécha.

LoPE DE Vbga. — El ffuante' de dona lilatica.

PERSONNAGES