With that his lute he twanged straightway, And thereon begann most sweetlye to play; And after that lessons were playd two or three, He strayn'd out this song most delicatelìe. "A poore beggars daughter did dwell on a greene, Who for her fairenesse might well be a queene: A blithe bonny lasse, and a daintye was shee, And many one called her pretty Bessee. "Her father hee had noe goods, nor noe land, But begged for a penny all day with his hand; And yett to her marriage he gave thousands three, And still he hath somewhat for pretty Bessee. "And if any one here her birth doe disdaine, Her father is ready, with might and with maine, To proove shee is come of noble degree: Therfore never flout att prettye Bessee." With that the lords and the companye round With harty laughter were readye to swound; Att last said the lords, Full well wee may see, The bride and the beggar's behoulden to thee. On this the bride all blushing did rise, The pearlie dropps standing within her faire eyes, O pardon my father, grave nobles, quoth shee, That throughe blind affection thus doteth on mee. If this be thy father, the nobles did say, Well may he be proud of this happy day; Yett by his countenance well may wee see, His birth and his fortune did never agree: And therefore, blind man, we pray thee bewray, (and looke that the truth thou to us doe say) Thy birth and thy parentage, whatt itt may bee; For the love that thou bearest to pretty Bessee. "Then give me leave, nobles and gentles, each one, One song more to sing, and then I have done; And if that itt may not winn good report, Then doe not give me a GROAT for my sport. "Sir Simon de Montfort my subject shal bee; Once chiefe of all the great barons was hee, Yet fortune so cruelle this lorde did abase, Now loste and forgotten are hee and his race. "When the barons in armes did King Henrye oppose, Sir Simon de Montfort their leader they chose; A leader of courage undaunted was hee, And oft-times he made their enemyes flee. "At length in the battle on Eveshame plaine The barons were routed, and Montford was slaine; Moste fatall that battel did prove unto thee, Thoughe thou wast not borne then, my prettye Bessee! "Along with the nobles, that fell at that tyde, His eldest son Henrye, who fought by his side, Was fellde by a blowe, he receivde in the fight! A blowe that deprivde him for ever of sight. "Among the dead bodyes all lifeless he laye, Till evening drewe on of the following daye, When by a yong ladye discovered was hee; And this was thy mother, my prettye Bessee! "A barons faire daughter stept forth in the nighte To search for her father, who fell in the fight, And seeing young Montfort, where gasping he laye, Was moved with pitye, and brought him awaye.