g by Mrs._ Bracegirdle.

[Music]

Advance, advance, advance gay Tenants of the Plain,
Advance, advance, advance, gay Tenants of the Plain,
Loud Eccho spread my Voice,
Loud Eccho spread my Voice,
Loud Eccho, loud Eccho, loud Eccho,
Loud Eccho, loud Eccho, spread my Voice,
Advance, advance, advance, gay Tenants of the Plain,
Advance, advance, advance, gay Tenants of the Plain.

_The_ KING _and the Shepherd, and_ GILLIAN _the Shepherd's Wife, with
her churlish Answer to the_ KING.

[Music]

In Elder Time, there was of Yore,
When Guides of churlish Glee;
Were us'd among our Country Earls,
Though no such thing now be.

The which King _Alfred_ liking well,
Forsook his stately Court;
And in Disguise unknown went forth,
To see that jovial Sport.

How _Dick_ and _Tom_, in clouted Shoon,
And Coats of russet Grey,
Esteem'd themselves more brave than them,
That went in Golden ray.

In Garments fit for such a Life,
The good King _Alfred_ went,
All ragg'd and torn, as from his Back
The Beggar his Cloaths had rent.

A Sword and Buckler good and strong,
To give _Jack Sauce_ a rap;
And on his Head, instead of Crown,
He wore a _Monmouth_ Cap.

Thus coasting through _Somersetshire_,
Near _Newton_ Court he met
A Shepherd Swain of lusty Limb,
That up and down did jet.

He wore a Bonnet of good Grey,
Close buttoned to his Chin;
And at his Back a leather Scrip,
With much good Meat therein.

God speed, good Shepherd, quoth the King,
I come to be thy Guest;
To taste of thy good Victuals here,
And drink that's of the best.

Thy Scrip I know, hath Cheer good store,
What then the Shepherd said?
Thou seem'st to be some sturdy Thief,
And mak'st me sore afraid.

Yet if thou wilt thy Dinner win,
The Sword and Buckler take;
And if thou canst into my Scrip,
Therewith an entrance make.

I tell thee, Roister, it hath store
Of Beef, and Bacon fat;
With sheafs of Barly-bread to make
Thy Mouth to water at.

Here stands my Bottle, here my Bag,
If thou canst win them Roister;
Against the Sword and Buckler here,
My Sheep-hook is my Master.

_Benedicit_ now, quoth our good King,
It never shall be said;
That _Alfred_ of the Shepherd's Hook,
Will stand a whit afraid.

So soundly thus they both fell to't,
And giving Bang for Bang;
At every Blow the Shepherd gave,
King _Alfred's_ Sword cry'd twang.

His Buckler prov'd his chiefest Fenc