A BALLAD

There was three kings into the east,

Thrce kings both great and high, And they hae swom a solemn oath

John Barleycom should die.

They took a plough, and plougb'd him do^nm;

Put clods upon his head ; And they hae sworn a solemn oath, John Barleycom was dead.

But the cheerful spring came kindly on.

And show'rs began to fall :

John Barleycom got up again

And sore surpris'd them ail.

The sultry suns of summer came

And he grew thick and stroug, His head weel arm'd vrV pointed spcars,

That no one should him wrong.

The sober Autumn enter'd mild, When be grevr wan and pale ;