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As I came thorow the North countrey, The fashions of the world to see, I sought for mery companie, to goe to the Cittie of London : And when to the Cittie of Yorke I came, I found good companie in the same, As well-disposed to euery game, as if it had been at London. Yorke, Yorke, for my monie, Of all the Citties that ever I see, For mery pastime and companie, Except the Cittie of London. And in the Cittie what sawe I then ? Knightès, Squires, and Gentlemen, A shooting went for Matches ten, as if it had been at London. And they shot for twentie poundes a Bowe, Besides great cheere they did bestowe, I neuer saw a gallanter showe, except I had been at London. Yorke, Yorke, for my monie, &c. These Matches, you shall vnderstande, The Earle of Essex tooke in hand, Against the good Earle of Cumberlande, as if it had been at London. And agreede these matches all shall be For pastime and good companie At the Cittie of Yorke full merily, as if it had been at London. Yorke, Yorke, for my monie, &c. In Yorke there dwels an Alderman, which Delites in shooting very much, I neuer heard of any such in all the Cittie of London. His name is Maltbie, mery and wise At any pastime you can deuise, But in shooting all his pleasures lyes ; the like was neuer in London. Yorke, Yorke, for my monie, &c. This Maltbie, for the Citties sake, To shoote, himself, did vndertake, At any good Match the Earles would make, as well as they doe at London. And he brought to the fielde, with him, One Specke, an Archer proper and trim, And Smith, that shoote about the pin, as if it had been at London. Yorke, Yorke, &c. Then came from Cumberland Archers three, Best Bowmen in the North countree, I will tell you their names what they may bee, well knowne to the Cittie of London. Wamsley many a man doth knowe, And Bolton, how he draweth his Bowe, And Ratcliffes shooting long agoe well knowne to the Cittie of London. Yorke, Yorke, &c. And the Noble Earle of Essex came To the fielde himself, to see the same, Which shal be had for euer in fame, as soone as I come at London. For he shewed himself so diligent there To make a mark and keepe it faire, It is worthie memorie to declare through all the Cittie of London. Yorke, Yorke, &c. And then was shooting out of crye, The skantling at a handfull nie, And yet the winde was very hie, as it is sometimes at London. They clapt the Cloutes so on the ragges, There was such betting and such bragges, And galloping vp and downe with Nagges, as if it had been at London. Yorke, Yorke, &c. And neuer an Archer gaue regarde To halfe a Bowe, nor halfe a yarde, I neuer see Matches goe more harde about the Cittie of London. For fairer play was never plaide, Nor fairer layes was neuer laide, And a weeke together they keept this trade, as if it had been at London. Yorke, Yorke, &c. The Maior of Yorke, with his companie, Were all in the fieldes, I warrant ye, To see good rule kept orderly, as if had been at London. Which was a dutifull sight to see, The Maior and Alderman there to bee For the setting forth of Archerie, as well as they doe at London. Yorke, Yorke, &c. And there was neither fault nor fray, Nor any disorder any way, But euery man did pitch and pay, as if it had been at London. As soone as euery Match was done, Euery man was paid that won, And merily vp and doune did ronne, as if it had been at London. Yorke, Yorke, &c. And neuer a man that went abroade But thought his monie well bestowde ; And monie layd on heape and loade, as if it had been at London. And Gentlemen there so franke and free, As a Mint at Yorke againe should bee, Like shooting did I neuer see, except I had been at London. Yorke, Yorke, &c. At Yorke were Ambassadours three, Of Russia, Lordes of high degree, This shooting they desirde to see, as if it had been at London. And one desirde to draw a Bowe, The force and strencth thereof to knowe, And for his delight he drewe it so as seldome seene in London. Yorke, Yorke, &c. And they did maruaile very much There could be any Archer such, To shoote so farre the Cloute to tutch, which is no newes to London. And they might well consider than An English shaft will kill a man, As hath been proued where and whan, and cronicled since in London. Yorke, &c. The Earle of Comberlands Archers won Two Matches cleare, ere all was done, And I made hast apace to ronne to carie these newes to London ; And Wamsley did the vpshot win, With both his shafts so neere the pin You could scant haue put three fingers in, as if it had been at London. Yorke, &c. I passe not for my monie it cost, Though some I spent, and some I lost, I wanted neither sod nor roast, as if it had been at London. For there was plentie of euery thing, Redd and fallowe Deere for a King, I neuer sawe so mery shooting since first I came from London. Yorke, Yorke, &c. God saue the Cittie of Yorke therefore, That had such noble frendes in store And such good Aldermen : send them more, and the like good lucke at London ; For it is not little ioye to see When Lords and Aldermen so agree, With such according Communaltie, God sende vs the like at London. Yorke, Yorke, &c. God saue the good Earle of Cumberlande, His praise in golden lines shall stande, That maintaines Archerie through the land, as well as they doe at London. Whose noble minde so courteously Acquaintes himself with the Communaltie, To the glorie of his Nobilitie, I will carie the praise to London. Yorke, Yorke, &c. And tell the good Earle of Essex thus, As he is now yong and prosperous, To vse such properties vertuous deserues great praise in London : For it is no little ioye to see When noble Youthes so gracious bee To giue their good willes to their Countree, as well as they doe at London. Yorke, Yorke, &c. Farewell good Cittie of York to thee, Tell Alderman Maltbie this from mee. In print shall this good shooting bee as soon as I come at London. And many a Song will I bestowe On all the Musitions that I knowe, To sing the praises, where they goe, of the Cittie of Yorke in London. Yorke, Yorke, &c. God saue our Queene and keep our peace, That our good shooting maie increase ; And praying to God let vs not cease, as well at Yorke, as at London. That all our Countrey round about May haue Archers good to hit the Clout, Which England cannot be without, no more then Yorke and London. Yorke, Yorke, &c. God graunt that (once) her Maiestie Would come her Cittie of Yorke to see, For the comfort great of that Countree, as well as she doth to London. Nothing shal be thought to deare To see her Highnes Person there, With such obedient loue and feare as ever she had in London. Yorke, Yorke, for my monie, Of all the Citties that euer I see, For mery pastime and companie, Except the Cittie of London. From Yorke, by W.E. |