Stories resembling that contained in the following ballad are to be met with in the literature of most of the nations of Europe; for example, in the Gesta Romanorum, (No. XIX. of Madden's Old English Versions,) in the amusing German tale Der Phaffe Amis, in Eulenspiegel, (Marbach, p. 28,) and the English Howleglas (printed by Copland in the 16th cent.,) in the Grimm's Kinder-und-Haus-märchen, ii, 275, (ed. 1822,) in Sacchetti's Novels, No. 4, (Ritson, Anc. Songs, ii, 183,) the Patrañuelo of Juan Timoneda, Alcala, 1576, (Ritson, ib.) the Contes à rire, i, 182, (Gent. Mag. 65, i. 35,) etc. etc. ...

An ancient story Ile tell you anon
Of a notable prince, that was called King John,
And he ruled England with maine and with might,
For he did great wrong, and maintein'd little right.

King John and the Abbot of Canterbury