Belfast shoemaker, or, Bold Irvine and Jane Wilson/The cripple of Cornwall

The CRIPPLE of CORNWALL.

There was a bold cripple, who kept the highway,
Who begg'd for his living all times of the day,
Night coming on, at the evening went he,
This cripple of Cornwall, so nimble was he.

⁠But as he was begging at a nobleman's gate,
Tidings came to him, his Lordship was late;
What time, and what hour his journey might be;
Reply'd this bold Beggar, here's a bounty for me.

⁠Being clothed with canvas all down to the ground,
Drew to him his standard, and stood as he found,
At last he perceiv'd him, draw nigh to a strand,
And in the dark ev'ning he caus'd him to stand.

⁠Stand and deliver your money with speed.
We are noble brave fellows, and money we need.
Then reply'd my Lord Cornwall, I tell unto thee,
If money you want, you'll get none from me.

⁠Therefore bold fellows, now stand to your chance,
So that my Lord Cornwall did stand his defence,
'Till three of his true men were slain in the fight,
And four of the robbers, were put to the flight.

⁠But still my Lord Cornwall did hold him in play,
Until it was nigh to the break of the day;
Till horsemen and foot came riding so fast,
Which made the bold Cripple to yield at the last.

⁠There was a river just by the way-side,
It was very deep, and full eighteen foot wide;
He put in his pick-start and over went he,
And shifted himself in an old hollow-tree.

⁠Next day this bold Cripple L Cornwall did meet,
Fell down on the ground, and kissed his feet;
Saying, God bless my L Cornwall, & keep him from ill.
And out of the hands of his enemies still.

⁠O then my L. Cornwall came down to the ground,
And out of his pocket threw a good English crown;
Five hundred pounds more, this Cripple had got,
By begging and thieving as many one thought.

⁠Five hundred pounds more will make him full glad,
For he was resolv'd to leave off the old trade :
At last he was taken for stealing a prize,
Condemned and hanged at Salisbury Assize.