Andrew Barton

King Henry did a progress ride,
To take the air and view his fleet,
When fifty merchants drew him nigh,
And on their knees they did entreat.
And 't please your grace we may not sail,
For France to voyage do we dare,
But Andrew Barton he makes us quail,
And robs us of our merchant ware

Vexed was the King, and turning him,
Says to his Lords of high degree
Is there no Lord in all my realm
Dare fetch this pirate unto me?
Lord Charles Howard him replied,
I will my Lord with heart and hand,
If it you please. to grant me leave
I will perform as you command

He had not been long on the main,
For days not more than two or three,
When Andrew Barton he espied,
Come sailing down the wind so free,
He was brass within and steel without,
His ship most huge and mighty strong,
With eighteen pieces good and stout,
He carried on each side along.

Bold Barton called his men amain,
Fetch me yon merchant now quoth he,
Against this way he come again
I will teach him well his courtesy,
A piece of ordnance it was shot,
By this proud pirate fiercely then,
Into Lord Howard's middle deck,
Which cruel shot killed fourteen men

But Howard's broadside come so hot,
It broached that pirate's side a-main,
And likewise at the deck he shot,
Til' fifty of his foes were slain.
Alas! then cried this pirate stout,
I am in danger now I see,
This is some Lord I gravely doubt
That is set on to conquer me.

His men being slain then up aloft
To his great topcastle he sped.
For armour good he had put on,
And did not dint of arrows dread.
But an archer spied a private place,
With perfect eye in secret part,
His arrow swiftly loosed apace,
Which smote Sir Andrew through the heart.

Lord Howard went where Sir Andrew lay,
And quickly thence cut off his head,
I would forsake England all my days,
Were't thou alive as thou art dead.
But from the wars Lord Howard came,
With goodleye mirth and triumphing,
And Barton's head he brought with him,
A gift for Hen-er-y his King.