T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
The Three Merry Travellers
Bagford Ballads(Anonymous, c. 1630) THERE was three Travellers, Travellers three, | |
| With a hye down, ho down, Lanktre down derry, | |
| And they would go Travel the North Country, | |
| Without ever a stiver of Money. | |
| They Travelled East, and they Travelled West, | 5 |
| With a hye down, ho down, Lanktre down derry, | |
| Wherever they came still they drank of the best, | |
| Without ever a stiver of Money. | |
| At length by good fortune they came to an Inn, | |
| With a hye down, ho down, Lanktre down derry, | 10 |
| And they were as Merry as e’re they had been, | |
| Without ever a stiver of Money. | |
| A Jolly young widow did smiling appear, | |
| With a hye down, ho down, Lanktre down derry, | |
| Who drest them a Banquet of delicate cheer, | 15 |
| Without ever a penny of Money. | |
| Both Chickens and sparrow grass she did provide, | |
| With a hye down, ho down, Lanktre down derry, | |
| You’re Welcome kind Gentlemen, welcome, (she cried) | |
| Without ever a stiver of Money. | 20 |
| They called for liquor, both Beer, Ale and Wine, | |
| With a hye down, ho down, Lanktre down derry, | |
| And every thing that was curious and fine, | |
| Without ever a stiver of Money. | |
| They drank to their Hostess a merry full bowl, | 25 |
| With a hye down, ho down, Lanktre down derry, | |
| She pledged them in love, like a generous Soul, | |
| Without ever a stiver of Money. | |
| The Hostess, her Maid, and [her] Cousin all three, | |
| With a hye down, ho down, Lanktre down derry, | 30 |
| They kissed and was merry, as merry could be, | |
| Without ever a stiver of Money. | |
| Full Bottles and Glasses replenished the Board, | |
| With a hye down, ho down, Lanktre down derry, | |
| No Liquors was wanting the house could afford, | 35 |
| Without ever a stiver of Money. | |
| When they had been Merry good part of the Day, | |
| With a hye down, ho down, Lanktre down derry, | |
| They called their Hostess to know what’s to pay, | |
| Without ever a stiver of Money. | 40 |
| There’s Thirty good shilling, and Six pence, (she cried) | |
| With a hye down, ho down, Lanktre down derry, | |
| They told her that she should be soon satisfied, | |
| Without ever a stiver of Money. | |
| The Handsomest Man of the three up he got, | 45 |
| With a hye down, ho down, Lanktre down derry, | |
| He laid her on her Back, and paid her the shot, | |
| Without ever a stiver of Money. | |
| The middlemost Man to her Cousin he went, | |
| With a hye down, ho down, Lanktre down derry, | 50 |
| She being handsome, he gave her Content, | |
| Without ever a stiver of Money. | |
| The Last Man of all he took up with the Maid, | |
| With a hye down, ho down, Lanktre down derry, | |
| And thus the whole shot of it was Lovingly paid, | 55 |
| Without ever a stiver of Money. | |
| The Hostess, the Cousin, and Servant, we find, | |
| With a hye down, ho down, Lanktre down derry, | |
| Made court’sies, and thanked them for being so kind, | |
| Without ever a stiver of Money. | 60 |
| The Hostess said, welcome kind Gentlemen all, | |
| With a hye down, ho down, Lanktre down derry, | |
| If you chance to come this way be pleased to Call, | |
| Without ever a stiver of Money. | |
| Then taking their Leaves they went merrily out, | 65 |
| With a hye down, ho down, Lanktre down derry, | |
| And they’re gone for to Travel the Nation about, | |
| Without ever a stiver of Money. | |