All you that do desire to know
What did become of the King of Scots,
I unto you will truly show.
After the flight of northern rats
’Twas I did convey
His highness away,
And from all dangers set him free,
In women’s attire,
As reason did require,
And the king himself did wait on me.
He of me a service did crave
And oftentimes to me stood bare,
In women’s apparel he was most brave,
And on his chin he had no hair.
Wherever I came
My speeches did fame
As well my waiting-man to free.
The like was never known
I think by anyone,
For the king himself did wait on me.
My waiting-man a jewel had
Which I for want of money sold.
Because my fortune was so bad
We turned our jewel into gold.
A good shift indeed
In time of our need.
Then glad was I and glad was he
Our cause it did advance
Until we came to France.
And the king himself did wait on me …
The Last News from France, Being a true relation of the escape of the King of Scots from Worcester to London and from London to France, who was conveyed away by a young gentleman in woman’s apparel …1