A BALLAD
There was three kings inlo the east,
Three kings both great and high.
And they hae sworn a solenm oath
John Barleycorn should die.
They took a plough, and plough'd him dovn ;
Tut clods upon his head; And they hae sworn a solemn oath, John Barleycorn was dead.
Dut the cheerful spring came kindly on,
And show'rs began to fall :
John Barleycorn got up again
And sore surpris' d themall.
The sultry suns of sunmier came
And he grevv thick and stroug, His head vecl arui'd wi' pointed spears,
That no one should him wrong.
The sober Autumn enter'd mild,
When hc grew wan and pale ;
NOTES. 89
Uis beuding joints and drooping head Show'd he began to fail.
His colour sicken'd more and more :
He faded into âge :
And theu his enemies began
Toshow their deadly rage.
They 've ta'en a weapon long and sharp
And eut him by the knee :
Then ty'dhim fast upon a cart.
Like a rogue for forgerie.
They laid him dowii upon his back And cudgell'd him full sore :
They hung him up before the stonn, And turn'd him o'er and o'er.
They filled up a darksome pit
With water to the brim, They heaved in John Barleycorn,
There let him sink or swim.
« They laid him out upon the floor
« To work his farther woe, « And still, as signs of life appear'd,
« They toss'd him to and fro.»
« They wasted o'er a scorching dame « The marrow of his bones : »
But a niiller us'd him worst of ail, For he crush'd him between two stones.
And they hae ta'en his veryheart's blood, And drank it round and round :
And still the more and more they drank Their joydid more abound.
John Barleycorn was a hero bold,
Of noble enterprise :
For if you do but taste his blood
'Twill make your courage rise.
'Twill make a man forget his woe :
'Twill heighten ail his joy :
"Twill make the widow's heart to sing
Tho' the tear were in her eye.
Then let us toast John Barleycorn
Each man a glass in hand :
And may his great posterity
Ne'er fail in auld Scotlaud !
fc.
COMEDIE
Amor loco A dos fidalgos disparô la flécha
Lope de Vega. El Guante de dona Blanca.
PERSONNAGES
