Page:Belfast shoemaker, or, Bold Irvine and Jane Wilson.pdf/3

 Had I known they'd been hungry before they came to me,

Instead of loaves I'd given them blows, their dinners for to be.

But one call'd captain Curry, O wow, but he was mean,

For the sake of twenty shillings he got me basely ta'en;

They put me in the guard-house, my state for to deplore,

With two at every window, and four at every door.

I being in the guard house, and gazing all around,

I jump'd out at a window & knock'd ten of them down,

But the light horse & train men, soon did follow me;

But a friend I met did me assist, & I gain'd my liberty.





was a bold cripple, who kept the highway,

Who begg'd for his living all times of the day,

Night coming on, at the evening went he,

This cripple of Cornwall, so nimble was he.

But as he was begging at a nobleman's gate,

Tidings came to him, his Lordship was late;

What time, and what hour his journey might be;

Reply'd this bold Beggar, here's a bounty for me.

Being clothed with canvas all down to the ground,

Drew to him his standard, and stood as he found,

At last he perceiv'd him, draw nigh to a strand,

And in the dark ev'ning he caus'd him to stand.

Stand and deliver your money with speed.

We are noble brave fellows, and money we need.

Then reply'd my Lord Cornwall, I tell unto thee,

If money you want, you'll get none from me.

Therefore bold fellows, now stand to your chance,

So that my Lord Cornwall did stand his defence,

'Till three of his true men were slain in the fight,

And four of the robbers, were put to the flight.