Page:Rudyard Kipling's verse - Inclusive Edition 1885-1918.djvu/741

 INCLUSIVE EDITION, 1885-1918 723

All except Bob Brygandync ami he was a yeoman good, He caught Slingawai round the waist and threw him on to the mud.

"I have taken plank and rope and nail, without the King his

leave,

After the custom of Portesmouth, but I will not suffer a thief. Nay, never lift up thy hand at me there's no clean hands

in the trade. Steal in measure," quo' Brygandyne. "There's measure in

all things made!"

"Gramercy, yeoman!" said our King. "Thy council liketh

me." And he pulled a whistle out of his neck and whistled whistles

three.

Then came my Lord of Arundel pricking across the down, And behind him the Mayor and Burgesses of merry Suthamp-

ton town.

They drew the naughty shipwrights up, with the kettles in

their hands, And bound them round the forecastle to wait the King's

commands. But "Sith ye have made your beds," said the King, "ye

needs must lie thereon. For the sake of your wives and little ones felawes, get you

gone!"

When they had beaten Slingawai, out of his own lips

Our King appointed Brygandyne to be Clerk of all his ships.

" Nay, never lift up thy hands to me there's no clean hands

in the trade. But steal in measure," said Harry our King. "There's

measure in all things made!"