The Life and Death of Sir Hugh of the Grime.  
 

AS it befell upon one time,  
about Midsummer of the year,  
Every man was taxed of his crime,  
for stealing the good Lord Bishop's Mare.   

The good Lord Screw he saddled a Horse,  
and rid after this same scrime,  
Before he did get over the Moss,  
there was he aware of Sir Hugh of the Grime.   

Turn, O turn, thou false Traitor,  
turn and yield thyself unto me:  
Thou hast stolen the Lord Bishop's Mare,  
and now thou thinkest away to flee.   

No, soft Lord Screw that may not be,  
here is a broad sword by my side,  
And if that thou canst conquer me,  
the Victory will soon be tried.   

I ne'er was afraid of a Traitor bold,  
although thy name be Hugh in the Grime,  
I'll make thee repent thy speeches foul,  
if day and life but give me time.   

Then do thy worst good Lord Screw,  
and deal your blows as fast as you can:  
It will be tried between me and you,  
which of us two shall be the best man.   

THus as they dealt their blows so free,  
and both so bloody at that time,  
Over the Moss ten Yeomen they see,  
come for to take Sir Hugh in the Grime.   

Sir Hugh set his back against a Tree,  
and then the men encompassed him round,  
His much Sword from his hand did flee,  
& then they brought sir Hugh to the ground.   

Sir Hugh of the Grime now taken is,  
and brought back to Garland Town,  
The good Wives all in Garland Town,  
sir Hugh in the grime thou'st ne'er gang down   

The good Lord Bishop is come to the town,  
and on the Bench is set so high,  
And every man was taxed to his crime,  
at length he called sir Hugh in the Grime.   

Here am I thou false Bishop,  
thy humours all to fulfil,  
I do not think my fa●t so great,  
but thou may'st put it into thy own will.   

The Quest of jurymen was called,  
the best that was in Garland Town,  
Eleven of them spoke all in a breast,  
Sir Hugh in the Grime thou'st ne'er gang down.   

Then other Questry-men was called,  
the best that was in Rumary,  
Twelve of them spoke all in a breast,  
sir Hugh in the Grime thou'st now guilty.   

Then came down my good Lord Boles,  
falling down upon his knee,  
Five hundred pieces of gold would I give,  
to grant Sir Hugh in the Grime to me.   

Peace, peace, my good Lord Boles,  
and of your speeches set them by,  
If there be eleven Grimes all of a name,  
then by my own honour they all should die.   

Then came down my good Lady Ward,  
falling low upon her knee,  
Five hundred measures of gold I'll give,  
to grant Sir Hugh of the Grime to me.   

Peace, peace, my good Lady Ward,  
none of your proffers shall him buy,  
For if there be twelve Grimes all of a name,  
by my own honour they all should die.   

Sir Hugh of the Grimes condemned to die,  
and of his friends he had no lack,  
Fourteen foot he leapt in his ward,  
his hands bound fast upon his back.   

Then he looked over his left shoulder,  
to see whom he could see or spy,  
There was he aware of his Father dear,  
came tearing his hair most pitifully.   

Peace, peace, my Father dear,  
and of your speeches set them by,  
Though they have bereaved me of my life,  
they cannot bereave me of heaven so high.   

He looked over his right shoulder,  
to see whom he could see or spy,  
There was he aware of his Mother Dear,  
came tearing her hair most pitifully.   

Pray have me remembered to Peggy my wife,  
as she and I walked over the Moor,  
She was the causer of my life,  
and with the old Bishop she played the whore.   

Here johnny Armstrong take thou my Sword  
that is made of the mettle so fine:  
And when thou comest to the Border side,  
remember the death of Sir Hugh of the Grime.   
FINIS.   

Printed for P. Brooksby, at the Golden-Ball, in West-smith-field, near the Hôspital-gate.