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Home  »  Poetica Erotica  »  The Three Merry Travellers

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.