Page:Three excellent old songs.pdf/6

 As I'm a true keeper, I'll not be unjuſt,

Nor, for a gold ring, will I forfeit my truſt;

I'll bring you before him as ſure as a gun,

And there you shall anſwer for what you have done.

Thou art a bold féllow, King William reply'd;

Why, doſt thou not fee the ſtar at any ſide;

The foreſt is mine, I let thee to know,

Then what is the reaſon you threaten me so?

With that the bold keeper fell down on his knees,

A trembling fear his ſpirits did ſeize;

The picture of death did appear in his face,

He knew not at firſt the king was in place.

O pardon! O pardon! my ſovereign liege,

For your royal pardon I humbly beſeech,

Alas! my poor heart in my brean it is cold!

O let me not ſuffer for being ſo bold.

Get up, honeſt Keeper, and ſhake off thy fears,

In thee there is nothing of folly appears:

O that ev'ry one were as faithful as thee,

What a bleſt prince King William would be!

Becauſe I encourage fuch perſons as you,

I'll make you my ranger, and if that won't do,

I'll make thee a captain, by ſea or by land;

And high in my favour you ever ſhall ſtand.

The Keeper replied, My ſovereign Lord,

Sure I am not worthy of ſuch a reward;