In summer time,when leaves grow green,And blossoms bedeck the tree,King Edward would a hunting ride,Some pastime for to see.
With hawk and hound he made him boun,With horn,and eke with bow;
To Drayton Basset he took his way,With all his lords arow.
And he had ridden o'er dale and down By eight of clock in the day,When he was ware of a bold tann-er,Come riding along the way.
A fair russet coat the tanner had on,Fast buttoned under his chin,And under him a good cow-hide,And a mare of four shill-ing.
"Now stand you still,my good lords all Under the green wood spray;
And I will wend to yonder fell-ow,To weet what he will say."--
"God speed,God speed thee,"said our king.--
"Thou art welcome,sir,"said he.--
"The readiest way to Drayton Basset I pray thee to show to me."--
"To Drayton Basset wouldst thou go,Fro the place where thou dost stand?
The next pair of gallows thou comest unto Turn in upon thy right hand."--
"That is an unready way,"said our king,"Thou doest but jest,I see;
Now show me out the nearest way,And I pray thee wend with me."--
"Away with a vengeance!"quoth the tanner:
"I hold thee out of thy wit:
All day have I ridden on Brock my mare,And I am fasting yet."--
"Go with me down to Drayton Basset,No dainties we will spare;
All day shalt thou eat and drink of the best,And I will pay thy fare."--
"Gram-ercy for nothing,"the tanner replied,"Thou payest no fare of mine:
I trow I've more nobles in my purse,Than thou hast pence in thine."--
"God give thee joy of them,"said the king,"And send them well to prief."--
The tanner would fain have been away,For he weened he had been a thief.