50 LEONARD WHEATCROFT, OF ASHOVER. 



" John Wheatcroft for the second bell 

 He'll ring it pretty trew : 

 So will Will. Browne ; I hold a crown 

 He rings as well as you. 



" And now you see my brethren all, 

 How well we doe agree, 

 To ring, and sing, and glass our King, 

 And make us to agree : 



" And when we drink a merry pot. 

 We none of us may quarrel ; 

 But all agree to pay the shot, 

 And broach the other barrel. 



" Now here's a glass unto that soule. 

 That did these lines invent : 

 We'll make our bells most bravely troule 

 To give him good content. 



" We'll turn them up unto the height 

 Each man shall own his string 

 And here we'll meet each Thursday night 

 A merry peal to ring." 



Upon Shirland and Higham men who came to ring at Ashover 

 on Lady Day, 1689: — 



(The tune is '■'■Lovely Nancy," n\ "■Smiling Francis") 



"You gentlemen of Derbyshire 



That minding are to hear me sing, 

 I earnestly do you desire 



That to my church you'll come and ring ; 

 Then your names and fames shall flourish 



Vp and downe the Countery, 

 And the Gierke of Asher parish 



Will thank you for your company. 



" ril tell you now a pretty story, 



If you'll be pleased a while to stay : 

 'Tis for the honour and memory 



Of the Blessed Lady Day. 

 There were five young men came unto me 



Desiring me to let them ring, 

 Who afterwards did kindness show me 



When they had handled each a string.* 



* Bell rope. 



