A fine dinner was drest, both for him and his guests; He was plac'd at the table above all the rest, In a rich chair 'or bed,' lin'd with fine crimson red, With a rich golden canopy over his head: 40 As he sat at his meat, the musick play'd sweet, With the choicest of singing his joys to compleat.
While the tinker did dine, he had plenty of wine, Rich canary, with sherry and tent superfine. Like a right honest soul, faith, he took off his bowl, 45 Till at last he began for to tumble and roul From his chair to the floor, where he sleeping did snore, Being seven times drunker than ever before.
Then the duke did ordain, they should strip him amain, And restore him his old leather garments again: 50 'Twas a point next the worst, yet perform it they must, And they carry'd him strait, where they found him at first, Then he slept all the night, as indeed well he might; But when he did waken, his joys took their flight.
For his glory 'to him' so pleasant did seem, 55 That he thought it to be but a meer golden dream; Till at length he was brought to the duke, where he sought For a pardon, as fearing he had set him at nought. But his highness he said, "Thou'rt a jolly bold blade: Such a frolick before I think never was plaid." 60
Then his highness bespoke him a new suit and cloak, Which he gave for the sake of this frolicksome joak, Nay, and five hundred pound, with ten acres of ground: "Thou shalt never," said he, "range the counteries round, Crying old brass to mend, for I'll be thy good friend, 65 Nay, and Joan thy sweet wife shall my duchess attend."
Then the tinker reply'd, "What! must Joan my sweet bride Be a lady in chariots of pleasure to ride? Must we have gold and land ev'ry day at command? Then I shall be a squire, I well understand. 70 Well I thank your good grace, and your love I embrace; I was never before in so happy a case."
"The original of this ballad," says Percy, "is found in the Editor's folio MS., the breaches and defects in which, rendered the insertion of supplemental stanzas necessary. These it is hoped the reader will pardon, as indeed the completion of the story was suggested by a modern ballad on a similar subject. From the Scottish phrases here and there discernible in this poem, it would seem to have been originally composed beyond the Tweed."