A Tragical BALLAD
Of the Unfortunate LOVES of
Lord THOMAS and Fair ELEANOR:
TOGETHER WITH
The Downfal of the BROWN GIRL.

LORD THOMAS he was a bold Forester,
And a chief of the King's Deer;
Fair ELEANOR was a fine Woman,
And Lord THOMAS he loved her dear.
Come riddle my riddle, dear Mother he said,
And riddle us both in one,
Whether I shall marry with Fair ELEANOR,
And let the BROWN GIRL alone?
The BROWN GIRL she has got houles and lands,
And Fair ELEANOR she has got none;
Therefore I charge thee on my Bleffing,
Bring me the BROWN GIRL home.
And as it befel on a high holiday,
As many more do befide,
Lord THOMAS he went to Fair ELEANOR,
That should have been his bride,
But when he came to Fair ELEANOR's bower,
He knocked at the ring;
Then who to ready as Fair ELEANOR,
For to let Lord THOMAS in.
What news, what news, Lord THOMAS she said,
What news, haft thou brought unto me?
I am come to bid thee to my wedding,
And that is tad news for thee.
O God foruid ! Lord THOMAS she said,
That such a thing should be done;
Fthought to have been thy bride myself,
And Thou to have been the Bridegroom.
Come riddle, my riddle, dear Mother, she said,
And riddle it allin one
Whether I shall go to Lord THOMAS's Weddings,
Or whether I shall let it alone,

There's many that are our Friends, daughter,
And many that are our Foes;

Therefore I charge you on my Bleffing.

To Lord THOMAS's Wedd don't. ani
There's many that are our Friends, mother,
If a thousand were our Foes;
Betide me Life, betide me Death,
To Lord THOMAS's Wedding I'll go;
She cloathed herself in gallant Attire,
And her merry Men all in green;
And as she rode thro' every place,
They took her to be fome Queen.
When she came to Lord THOMAS's gate,
She knocked at the Ring;
And who was so ready as Lord THOMAS
To let Fair ELEANOR in.
Is this your bride Fair ELEANOR said,
Methinks she looks wonderous Brown;
Thou might'ft have had as fair a Woman,
As ever trod upon the ground.
Defspife her not, Lord THOMAS he said,
Defspife her not unto me;
For better I love thy little finger,
Than all her whole body.
This BROWN GIRL had a little penknife,
Which was both long and sharp,
And betwixt the short Ribs and the long,
She prick'd Fair ELEANOR to the heart.
O Chrift ! now fave me, Lord THOMAS he said,
Methinks thou look'ft wonderous van;
Thou ufed'ft to look as good colour
As ever the fun thin'd on.
O art thou blind, Lord THOMAS she said,
Or can'ft thou not very well fee?
O doft thou not fee my own heart's bloo
Run trickling down my knee.
Lord THOMAS he had a Sword by his fide,
As he walked about the hall,
He cut his bride's head from off her shoulders,
And he flung it againft the wall.
He fet his fword upon the ground,
And the hilt againft his heart;
There never were three lovers fure,
That sooner did depart.

Printed and sold at NO. 4, Aldermanry Church Yard,

171-172