1644 - Taylor, John - Mad Verse, Sad Verse, Glad Verse and Bad Verse

From International Robin Hood Bibliography
Allusion
Date 1644
Author Taylor, John
Title Mad Verse, Sad Verse, Glad Verse and Bad Verse
Mentions Morris dance; Maid Marian; John Dory [a ballad]

By Henrik Thiil Nielsen, 2013-07-17. Revised by Henrik Thiil Nielsen, 2021-01-07.

Allusion

My leash of Rascalls, were mad Blades, (right Bilboes)
True tatter'd Rogues, in breech, shirts, skirts, and elboes,
They sung, and danc'd the Morris, like maide Marrian
And sweat and stunk, as sweet as sugar Carrion, [p. 7:]
I mus'd, if they were pleas'd to jeere and fob me,
Or if they meant to jest with me or Rob me:
But they to me prov'd Rebells with some reason
They had not learn'd their Grammar Rules of Treason,
They kindly brought me to a wholsome Alehouse,
Where merrily we drank like foure good fellowes,
With songs, and tales, and now and then a story
And 'ere we fell a sleep, we sung John Dorrye, [...][1]

IRHB comments

Given the context, "jest" and "rob" may be allusions to Robin Hood and the Gest. The ballad of John Dory is No. 284 in Child.[2]

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