To them sir Ursine did succeed, And long the sceptre bear. Sir Valentine he stay'd in France, And was his uncle's heir. ENRY, our royal king, would ride a hunting To the green forest so pleasant and fair; To see the harts skipping, and dainty does tripping: Unto merry Sherwood his nobles repair: Hawk and hound were unbound, all things prepar'd All a long summer's day rode the king pleasantly, Till the dark evening forc'd all to turn home. Then at last, riding fast, he had lost quite All his lords in the wood, late in the night. Why, what dost thou think of me, quoth our king merrily, Passing thy judgment upon me so brief? Good faith, said the miller, I mean not to flatter thee; I guess thee to be but some gentleman thief; Stand thee back, in the dark; light not adown, Lest that I presently crack thy knave's crown. Thou dost abuse me much, quoth the king, saying thus; I am a gentleman; lodging I lack. Thou hast not, quoth th' miller, one groat in thy purse; All thy inheritance hangs on thy back. I have gold to discharge all that I call; * The king says this. * If thou beest a true man, then quoth the miller, I swear by my toll-dish, I'll lodge thee all night. Here's my hand, quoth the king; that was I ever. Nay, soft, quoth the miller, thou may'st be a sprite. Better I'll know thee, ere hands we will shake; With none but honest men hands will I take. Thus they went all along unto the miller's house: Now, quoth he, let me see here what you are. I like well thy countenance; thou hast an honest face; Art thou no runaway, prythee, youth, tell? Then our king presently, making low courtesy, N I have no passport, nor never was servitor, But a poor courtier, rode out of my way: Then to the miller his wife whispered secretly, Well, quo' the miller's wife, young man, ye're welcome here; And, though I say it, well lodgèd shall be: Fresh straw will I have laid on thy bed so brave, And good brown hempen sheets likewise, quoth she. Aye, quoth the good man; and when that is done, Thou shalt lie with no worse than our own son. This caus'd the king, suddenly, to laugh most heartily, Then to their supper were they set orderly, |