Violet, John
Morley, Francis Wortley, Edw. Bishop, John Hewet, Wingfield
Bodenham, Henry Warren, W. Morton, John Slaughter, Gilbert
Swinhow."
On the 19th of August (according to the MODERATE INTELLIGENCER of
that date) the King sent to the royal prisoners in the Tower two
fat bucks for a feast. This circumstance was the origin of the
present ballad. It was written by Sir Francis Wortley, one of the
prisoners. This ballad, as we learn by the concluding lines, was
to be sung to the popular tune of "Chevy Chace."
God save the best of kings, King Charles!
The best of queens, Queen Mary!
The ladies all, Gloster and Yorke,
Prince Charles, so like old harry! (5)
God send the King his own again,
His towre and all his coyners!
And blesse all kings who are to reigne,
From traytors and purloyners!
The King sent us poor traytors here
(But you may guesse the reason)
Two brace of bucks to mend the cheere,
Is't not to eat them treason?
Let Selden search Cotton's records,
And Rowley in the Towre,
They cannot match the president,
It is not in their power.
Old Collet would have joy'd to 've seen
This president recorded;
For all the papers he ere saw
Scarce such an one afforded.
The King sent us, etc.
But that you may these traytors know,
I'll be so bold to name them;
That if they ever traytors prove
Then this record may shame them:
But these are well-try'd loyal blades
(If England ere had any),
Search both the Houses through and through
You'ld scarcely finde so many.
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