Classic Poem

Listen iolly gentlemen,
 listen and be merry!
a word or tow faine wold I speake
 in the praiise of old K ing Harry,
for hee wold sweare, & he wold stare,
 & lay hand on his dagger;
& he wold swiue, if he were aliue,
 from the queene vnto the beggar.
But let him alone, he is dead & gone,
 another wee haue in his place,
our Noble K ing , of whome weele sing
 “god blesse K ing Iames his grace!
W i th a hey downe downe, w i th How downe downe,
 W i th a hey downe, downe, downe derry &c.”

King Iames hath meate, K ing Iames hath men,
 King Iames loues to be merry,
K ing Iames is angry now & then,
 but it makes him quickly weary.
Of his office bestowed vpon him.
 for yo u r whores & yo ur knaues & yo ur merry drunken slaues
cry a plauge & a pox vpon him!
 w i th a hey downe &c.

Before I haue done w i th our K ing s braue sonne
 I must sett forth his praise;
England had neuer a liuelier ladd
 to p ro longe our happy dayes;
but I made this song, I must not be long,
 for good K ing Iames his sake;
god blese his grace, his children & realme!
 & soe I make an end.