namely, the Virgin Mary and Michaell the Archangell, on whose daies he paied his rent."-MS. Rawl. Poet. 66.

Mr. Collier has in his possession an unique blackletter ballad, entitled The Merry Puck, or Robin Goodfellow, which, from several passages, may be fairly concluded to have been before the public previously to the appearance of the Midsummer Night's Dream. Mr. Collier reprinted, for private circulation, twenty-five copies of this ballad, and has not only presented us with a copy, but, with his usual kindness and liberality, permitted it to be inserted in this volume. It most remarkably illustrates the Puck of the Midsummer Night's Dream.

The Merry Puck, or Robin Good-fellow: Describing his birth and whose sonne he was, how he run away from his Mother, how he was merry at the Bridehouse, how his Father, King Oberon, found him, together with all his merry Prankes. Very pleasaunt and witty.

CHAPTER I.

Shewing his birth, and whose sonne he was.

Among these pretty fairy Elves.
was Oberon, their King,
Who us'd to keepe them company
still at their revelling.

And sundry houses they did use, but one, above the rest, Wherein a comely Lasse did dwell that pleas'd King Oberon best.

This lovely Damsell, neat and faire,
so courteous, meek and mild,
As sayes my booke, by Oberon
she was begot with child.

She knew not who the father was;
but thus to all would say-
In night time he to her still came,
and went away ere day.

The midwife having better skill than had this new made mother, Quoth she, surely some fairy 'twas; for it can be no other.

And so the old wife rightly iudg'd, for it was so indeed.

This Fairy shew'd himself most kind, and helpt his love at need;

For store of linnen he provides,
and brings her for her baby,
With dainty cates and choised fare,
he serv'd her like a lady.

The Christening time then being [come, most merry they [did pass;

The Gossips dra[ined a cheerful cup as then prov[ided was.

And Robin was [the infant call'd,

so named the [Gossips by:

What pranks [he played both day and night I'le tell you certainly.

CHAPTER II.

Shewing how Robin Good-fellow carried himselfe, and how he run away from his Mother.

WHILE yet he was a little lad
and of a tender age,

He us'd much waggish tricks to men,
as they at him would rage.

Unto his Mother they complain'd,

which grieved her to heare,

And for these Pranks she threatned him
he should have whipping cheare.

If that he did not leave his tricks,
his jeering mocks and mowes:
Quoth she, thou vile, untutor'd youth,
these Pranks no breeding shewes;

I cannot to the Market goe,

but ere I backe returne,

Thou scof'st my neighbours in such sort,
which makes my heart to mourne.

But I will make you to repent
these things, ere I have done :
I will no favour have on thee,
although thou beest my sonne.

Robin was griev'd to heare these words,
which she to him did say,

But to prevent his punishment,

from her he run away.

And travelling long upon the way,
his hunger being great,

Unto a Taylor's house he came,

and did intreat some meat:

The Taylor tooke compassion then

upon this pretty youth,

And tooke him for his Prentice straight,

as I have heard in truth.

CHAPTER III.

How Robin Good-fellow left his Master, and also how Oberon told him he should be turned into what shape he could wish or desire.

Now Robin Good-fellow, being plac't
with a Taylor, as you heare,
He grew a workman in short space,
so well he ply'd his geare.

He had a gowne which must be made,
even with all haste and speed;
The maid must have 't against next day
to be her wedding weed.

The Taylor he did labour hard

till twelve a clock at night;
Betweene him and his servant then
they finished aright

The gowne, but putting on the sleeves:
quoth he unto his man,

I'le goe to bed whip on the sleeves
as fast as ere you can.

So Robin straightway takes the gowne
and hangs it on a pin,

Then takes the sleeves and whips the gowne;

till day he nere did lin.

His Master rising in the morne,

and seeing what he did,

Begun to chide; quoth Robin then,

I doe as I was bid.

His Master then the gowne did take
and to his worke did fall.

By that time he had done the same
the Maid for it did call.

Quoth he to Robin, goe thy wayes
and fetch the remnants hither,
That yesterday we left, said he,

wee 'l breake our fasts together.

Then Robin hies him up the staires
and brings the remnants downe,
Which he did know his Master sav'd
out of the woman's gowne.

The Taylor he was vext at this,
he meant remnants of meat,
That this good woman, ere she went,
might there her breakfast eate.

Quoth she this is a breakfast good
I tell you, friend, indeed;
And to requite your love I will

send for some drinke with speed:

And Robin he must go for it
with all the speed he may :
He takes the pot and money too,
and runnes from thence away.

When he had wandred all the day
a good way from the Towne,
Unto a forest then he came :

to sleepe he laid him downe.

Then Oberon came, with all his Elves,
and danc'd about his sonne,
With musick pleasing to the eare;
and, when that it was done,

King Oberon layes a scroule by him,
that he might understand

Whose sonne he was, and how hee'd grant whate'er he did demand:

To any forme that he did please

himselfe he would translate;

And how one day hee'd send for him

to see his fairy State.

Then Robin longs to know the truth

of this mysterious skill,

And turnes himselfe into what shape he thinks upon or will.

Sometimes a neighing horse was he, sometimes a gruntling hog, Sometimes a bird, sometimes a crow,

sometimes a snarling dog.