UPON SIR JOHN SUCKLING'S HUNDRED HORSE by ANONYMOUS

I TELL thee, Jack, thou'st given the King
So rare a present as nothing
Would welcomer have been.
A hundred horse! Beshrew my heart,
It was a noble gallant part,
The like will scarce be seen.

For every horse shall have on's back
A man as valiant as Sir Jack,
Although not half so witty;
Yet I did hear, the other day
Two tailors made seven run away---
Good faith, the more's the pity!

Nay, more than that, thyself dost go
In person to confront thy foe,
And kill the Lord knows whom;

But faith, I hope you are of my mind,
And rather for to stay behind---
It's safer being at home.

But yet, methinks I see thee charge,
Thyself with freedom to enlarge,
'Gainst foes that make a sally.
Courage, brave heart! Courage, brave John!
I wish thou now go bravelier on
Than in Blackfriars Alley.

I would advise thee take a course
That thou mayst mount the swiftest horse
Of all the troops thou givest,
That when the battle is begun,
Thou swiftly then away mayst run,
And show us that thou livest.

Thou shalt be entertained here
By ladies that do hold thee dear
By day and eke by night;
They'll make thee do what love commands,
Pull off Mars' gauntlets from those hands
Were never made to fight.

Since under Mars thou wert not born,
To Venus fly, think thou no scorn,
Let it be my advice:
Leave wars, and thankful be to fate,
Recovered th'ast thy lost estate,
By carding and by dice.

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