KING JAMES AND THE TINKER

Tradition lias fixed the scène of the following ballad at Braywood-side. The inn alluded to is said to hâve been the « Royal Blackbirds, » in Blackbird Lane, and New Lodge (near the site of the Royal Krnnels) the place where the tinker was knighted.

« And no to be brief, let's pass over (lie rest,

Who seldom or never was given to jesl, And corne to long James, the first on the throne;

A pleasanter nionarch sure never was known.

As he was a chasing his fair fallow-deer, He drop't ail his nobles, and of them he got clear.

In scarch of new pleasures, away he did ride, Till lie came to an aie house, hard by a wood-side.

And there with a tinker he happened to meet,

Whom in this kind sort did lovingly greet ; He said « Honest fellow what hast thou in thy jug,

Which under thy arm thou so blithely dost hug? »

APPENDICE

In truth said the tinker, 'tis nappy brown aie, And to drink unlo thee, good failh, 1*11 not fail.

Wliat though thy jacket looks gallant and fine, I hope that my two pence as good is as thine'.

Nay, now by my soûl, man, the truth thou hast spoke', Then straight with the tinker he sat down to joke,

He called for his pitcher, the tinker anolher, And so they fell to it likc brother and brother.

Whilst drinking, the king was pleased to say, 'What news, honest fellow, corne, tell me, I pray?'

There's nothing, of news, the which I do hear, But the king is a — hunting his fair fallow-deer.

'And truly I wish I so happy may be, That whilst he is hunting, the king I might see,

For, though 1 bave travelled the land inany ways, I ne'er saw the king, Sir, in ail my whole days'.

The king with a liearty brisk laughterreplied, 'I tell tliee, good fellow, if thou canst but ride,

Thou shalt get up behind me, and thee I will bring Into the royal présence of James our king'.

'Perhaps', said the tinker, 'his lords will be drest So fine that I shall not know him from the rest'.

'1 tell thee, good fellow, when thou dost come there, The king wild be covered his nobles ail bare'.

Then up got the tinker, and like wise his sack, His old leather budget and tools at his back ;

And when they came to the merry green wood, The nobles came round them and bare beaded slood.

The tinker then seeing so many appear, Iramediately whispered the king in bis ear,

'Since they are ail clothed so gallant and gay, Now which is the king, sir, come tell me I pray ! '

il. 45

APPENDICE

The king to the tinker tlien raade this reply

'By my soûl, raan, I think it must be you or 1 ; The rest are uncovered, you see, ail around ;'

This said, wilh the budget he fell to the ground,

Like one that was frightened quite out ot his wils ;

Then upon his knees he instantly gets, Beseecking formerey. The king to hira said,

Thou art a good fellow, so be not afraid.

Corne tell me thy name?' 'It is John of Ihe Vale,

A mender of kettles, and a lover of good aie'. 'Then rise up, sir John, I will honour thee hère,

And create thee a knight of five hundred a year'.

This was a good thing for the tinker, indeed;

Then unto the court he was sent for with speed, Where great store of pleasure and pastime was seen,

In the royal présence of both king and queen.

Extrait de l'ouvrage intitulé : The history and Antiquities of the Hundred of Bray, in the coutity of Berks, by Charles Kerry. 1861, in-8°, p. 187.