Trust him not: his words, though sweet, And would have yee thinke hem joyes ; "Tis the ambition of the elfe To have all childish as himselfe. If by these yee please to know him, 50 Though yee had a will to hide him, VOL. III. XVI. XVI. THE KING OF FRANCE'S DAUGHTER. The story of this Ballad seems to be taken from an incident in the domestic history of Charles the Bald, king of France. His daughter Judith was betrothed to Ethelwulph king of England: but before the marriage was consummated, Ethelwulph died, and she returned to France whence she was carried off by Baldwyn, Forester of Flanders; who, after many crosses and difficulties, at length obtained the king's consent to their marriage, and was made Earl of Flanders. This happened about A. D. 863.-See Rapin, Henault, and the French Historians. : The following copy is given from the Editor's ancient folio MS. collated with another in black-letter in the Pepys Collection, intitled, "An excellent Ballad of "a prince of England's courtship to the king of "France's daughter, &c. To the tune of Crimson st "Velvet." Many breaches having been made in this old song by the hand of time, principally (as might be expected) in the quick returns of the rhime; an attempt is here made to repair them. In the dayes of old, When faire France did flourish, Storyes plaine have told, Lovers felt annoye. The queene a daughter bare, Whom beautye's queene did nourish : She was lovelye faire, She was her fathers joye, 5 A prince To wayt her coming in the night. But, lo! what sudden danger To this princely stranger P 2 35 Chanced, Chanced, as he sate alone! The princesse, arm'd by love, And by chaste desire, All the night did rove Without dread at all: Still unknowne she past In her strange attire ; Coming at the last Within echoes call, You faire woods, quoth shee, Honoured may you bee, Harbouring my hearts delight; 40 45 50 |