Page [unnumbered]
The Loyal Forrister, Or, Royal PASTIME;
Being a Pleasant Discourse between the KING and a Loyal KEEPER, who not knowing His Majesty, would not suffer him to Hunt in the Forrest for any Reward whatsoever, which Faithfulness the King highly commended as you shall find by this following Ditty.
To an Excellent New Tune. It was a bold keeper•…•…
[illustration]
A·M
YOu Subjects of England come listen a while,
Here is a new ditty may make you to smile;
It is of the King and a keeper also,
Who met in a Forrest some winters ago.
O Early O Early, all in a morning,
King William rose early all in a morning,
And a gown of grey russet King William put on,
As tho he had been 〈◊〉〈◊〉 some silly poor man.
The houn•…•… was made ready prepar'd for the game,
No Nobles 〈…〉〈…〉en of honour and Fame;
But like a mean Subject in hamely Array,
He to his own Forrest was taking his way.
O then bespake Mary our Most Royal Queen,
My Gracious King William where are you going
He answer'd, I count him to be no wise Man,
That will tell his councel to a Woman.
All that I have offer'd I prithee now take,
And do thy endeavour my peace for to make;
Besides forty shillings I'le give thee a King,
If thou'lt not betray me to William our King.
Your three hounds I tell you I never will take,
Nor yet your three hawks your peace for to make,
Nor will I be brib'd by your forty shilling,
But I will betray you to William our King.
As I am a Keeper I'le not be unjust,
Nor for a Gold Ring will I forfeit my trust;
I'll bring you before him as sure as a Gun.
And there you shall answer for what you have done.
Thou art a bold fellow King William reply'd,
What dost thou not see here the star at my side,
This Forrest is mine I wou'd have you to know.
Then what is the reason you threaten me so.
With that the bold keeper he fell on his knees,
a trembling fear his spirits did seize,
The picture of death too appear'd in his face,
He knew nor at first that the King was in place.
O pardon, O pardon my soveraign Leige,
For your Royal pardon I beg and beseech,
Alas my poor heart in my breast it is cold!
O let me not suffer for being so bold.
The Queen with a modest behaviour reply'd,
I wish that kind providence may be thy guide,
To keep thee from danger my Soveraign Lord,
The which will the greatest of comfort afford.
He went to the Forrest some pleasure to spy,
The Grey-hounds run swift, I the keeper drew nigh,
Who cry'd you bold fellow how dare you come here,
Without the King's leave to chase his fair Deer.
I am one of his subjects I am one of his force,
And I am come hither for to run a course,
Get you gone bold fellow you run no course here,
Without the leave of King William forbear.
Here is my three hounds I will give then to you,
And likewise my hawks they're as good as e're flew,
Besides I will give thee full forty shilling,
If thou'lt not betray me to William our King.
Get up honest keeper and shake off thy fears,
In thee there's nothing of folly appears
If every one was as faithful as thee,
O what a blest Prince King William would bee
Because I'd encourage such persons as you,
I'll make thee my Ranger, if that will not do
Thou shalt be a Captain by Sea or by Land,
And high in my favour thou ever shalt stand.
The keeper reply'd my great Soveraign Lord.
Sure I am not worthy of such a reward,
Yet nevertheless your true keeper I'll be
Because I am fearful to venture by sea.
At which the K, laugh'd till his sides he did hold,
Then threw him down 20 bright Guinies of gold
And bid him make hast to Kingsington Court;
where of this true jest he wou'd make pleasant sport
And when you came thither pray ask for long Jack,
Who wears a Pumgranet of gole at his back,
Likewise a green Pheasant upon his right sleeve,
I'll warrant he's a true man you may him believe.
He's one of my Porters that stands at my Gate
To let in my nobles both ear••y and late;
And therefore good fellow came up without fear,
Ile make thee my Ranger of Parks far and near.