No Indian prince has to his palace

More followers than a thief to the gallows.

Samuel Butler (1600-1680): Hudibras. Part ii. Canto i. Line 273.

Three merry boys, and three merry boys,

And three merry boys are we,

As ever did sing in a hempen string

Under the gallows-tree.

John Fletcher (1576-1625): The Bloody Brother. Act iii. Sc. 2.