THE BAFFLED KNIGHT, OR LADY'S POLICY. Cramm'd with the tumultuous Petitions. And here are old Noll's brewing vessels, To all these matters before ye? V. 94. See Grey's Hudibras, pt. 1. cant. ii. v. 570, &c. 51 95 100 105 V. 100, 102. Cromwell had in his younger years followed the brewing trade at Huntingdon. Col. Hewson is said to have been originally a cobbler. XV. The Baffled Knight, or Lady's Policy. Given (with some corrections) from a MS. copy, and collated with two printed ones in Roman character in the Pepys collection. THERE was a knight was drunk with wine, A riding along the way, sir; And there he met with a lady fine, Among the cocks of hay, sir. 20 5 10 "I have a cloak of scarlet red, "O yonder stands my steed so free And if the pinner should chance to see, 15 20 "O go with me to my father's hall; 25 Fair chambers there are three, sir; And you shall have the best of all, And I'll your chamberlaine bee, sir." He mounted himself on his steed so tall, 30 To her father's hall they arrived strait; 'Twas moated round about-a; "A herb there is, that lowly grows, "A flower there is, that shineth bright, He that wold not when he might, The knight was riding another day, "Now, lady faire, I've met with you, Remember, how not long agoe You falsely did intrap me." And would no more disputing stand: 75 She had a plot invented. "Looke yonder, good Sir Knight, I pray, Methinks I now discover, A riding upon his dapple gray, On tip-toe peering stood the knight, 80 O'er head and ears he plunged in, 85 "Help, helpe, or else I'm drownded!" 66 Now, fare-you-well, Sir Knight, adieu! 90 That is the fittest place for you; Your courage wanted cooling." Ere many days, in her father's park, Again she met with her angry sparke; 95 “False lady, here thou'rt in my powre, And no one now can hear thee; And thou shalt sorely rue the hour That e'er thou dar'dst to jeer me. 100 "Well then, if I must grant your suit, Yet think of your boots and spurs, sir: Let me pull off both spur and boot, 115 Or else you cannot stir, sir." He set him down upon the grass And begg'd her kind assistance; "Now," smiling thought this lovely lass, "I'll make you keep your distance." 120 Then pulling off his boots half-way: The knight when she had served soe, 125 Farewell, Sir Knight, the clock strikes ten, 130 150 Which every side was moated; The lady heard his furious vows, And all his vengeance noted. Thought shee," Sir Knight, to quench your rage, Once more I will endeavour; This water shall your fury 'swage, Or else it shall burn for ever." 155 |