Page:Six excellent songs (1).pdf/2

 

Allen-a-dale has no faggot for burning,

Allen-a-dale has no furrow for turning,

Allen-a-dale has no fleece for the spinning,

Yet Allen-a-dale has red gold for the winning.

Come read me my riddle, come hearken my tale.

And tell me the craft of bold Allen-a-dale.

The Baron of Ravensworth prances in pridopride [sic],

And ho views his domain upon Arkindale side,

The mero for his net, and the lamb for his game.

The chase for the wild, and the park for the tame;

Yet the fish of the lake, and the deer of the vale.

Aro less freo to Lord Dacre than Allen-a-dale.

Allen-a-dale was ne’er belted a knight,

Tho’ his spur be as sharp, and his blade be as bright;

Allen-a-dale is no baron or lord,

Yet twenty tall yeomen will draw at his word:

And the best of our nobles his bonnet will veil,

Who at Rerecross or Stanmore meets Allen-a-dale.

Allen-a-dale to his wooing is comocome [sic],

The mother she ask’d of his household and home;