Hi,

This is "The Western Knight," dated 1629, similar to (see Rollins notes below) "The Western Tragedy" c. 1749 (ref. Motherwell) which is similarly found in Child D. The similarity, however, is only one line and a vague reference to a bird in a cage.

From: A Pepysian garland: black-letter broadside ballads of the years 1595-1639 by Samuel Pepys; Hyder Edward Rollins.

53. The Western Knight

Pepys, i, 312, B.L., four woodcuts, four columns.

This ballad was licensed as "Western Knight" on June 1, 1629 (Aiber's Transcript, iv, 213). It is a romance with possibly a traditional ballad as a source and with a few traditional features. Of somewhat similar nature are "The False Lover Won Back" and "Child Waters" in F. J. Child's English and Scottish Popular Ballads (Nos. 63 and 218). Even closer is the resemblance to the early part of Child's No. 4, "Lady Isabel and the ElfKnight," which in one stall copy (dating about 1749) is, as Professor Child noted (op. cit. 1, 23), called "The Western Tragedy." Professor Kittredge remarks that the Harvard College Library has an American edition of "The Western Tragedy" that was printed late in the eighteenth, or early in the nineteenth, century.

The Westerne Knight, and the young Maid of Bristoll,
Their loves and fortunes related.
To a pretty amorous tune.

IT was a yong knight borne in the West,
    that led a single life,
And for to marry he thought it best
   because he lackt a wife.

And on a day he him bethought,
    as he sate all alone,
How he might be to acquaintance brought,
    with some yong pretty one.

What luck, alas, (quoth he) have I
    to live thus by my selfe?
Could I find one of faire beauty,
    I would not sticke for pelfe.

Oh, had I one though nere so poore,
    I would her not reject:
I have enough, and aske no more,
    so she will me affect.

With that his man he then did call
    that nere unto him staid,
To whom he soone unfolded all,
    and unto him he said,

Come saddle me my milke white Steed,
    that I may a wooing ride,
To get some bonny Lasse with speed,
    whom I may make my Bride.

On horsebacke mounted the gallant young knight,
    and to try his fate he went,
To seeke some Damsell faire and bright,
    that might his mind content.

And as he through Bristoll Towne did ride,
    in a fine window of Glasse,
A gallant Creature he espide,
   in the Casement where she was.

His heart then taught his tongue to speake
   as soone as he her saw,
He unto her his mind did breake,
   compel'd by Cupids Law.

Faire Maid, quoth he, long may you live,
    and your body Christ save and see,
Five hundred Crownes I will you give,
    to set your love on me.

Though I am faire, quoth she, in some sort,
    yet am I tender of age,
And want the courtesie of the Court,
    to be a yong Knights Page.

A Page, thou gallant Dame, quoth she
    I meane thee not to make:
But if thou love me, as I love thee,
    for my Bride I will thee take.

If honestly you meane, quoth she,
    that I may trust your word,
Yours to command I still will be,
    at bed and eke at boord.

The second part. To the same tune.

THen he led her by the lilly white hand,
   up and downe a Garden greene,
What they did, I cannot understand,
    nor what passed them betweene.

When he to her had told his mind,
    and done what he thought best,
His former promises so kind,
    he turned to a Jest.

Yet he gave to her a Ring of gold,
    to keep as her owne life:
And said, that in short time he would,
    come and make her his wife.

Then mounted he upon his Steed,
    and rode from the Damsell bright,
Saying he would fetch her with speed,
    but he forgot it quite.

When fifteene weeks were come and gone,
    the Knight came riding by,
To whom the Lasse with grievous moane,
    did thus lament and cry.

Sir Knight, remember your vow, quoth she
    that you to me did say,
With child, alas, you have gotten me,
    and you can it not denay.

So mayst thou be, quoth he, faire Flowre,
    and the child be none of mine,
Unlesse thou canst tell me the houre,
    and name to me the time.

Full fifteene weeks it is, quoth she,
    that you lay my body by;
A gay gold Ring you gave to me,
    how can you this deny?

If I (quoth he) my gold Ring gave,
    to thee, as to my friend,
Then must not thinke I meane to have
    thee till my life doth end.

Nor do I meane to take for my wife,
    a Lasse that is so meane
That shall discredit me all my life,
    and all my kindred cleane.

Quoth she, false Knight, why didst thou then
    procure my overthrow,
Oh, now I see that faithlesse men,
    will sweare, yet meane not so.

Now may I live from joyes exilde,
    like a bird kept in a Cage,
For I am fifteen weeks gone with child,
    and but fourteen yeares of age.

Farewel, farewel, thou faithlesse Knight,
    sith thou wilt me forsake,
Oh heavens grant all Maidens bright,
    by me may warning take.

When as the Knight did heare what she
    poore harmelesse wretch did say,
It mov'd his heart, and quickly he
    made her a Lady gay.

Printed at London for F. Coules. FINIS.

* * * *

Richie