The imprint to it is, ‘Printed by and for W. Onley; and are to be sold by C. Bates, at the sign of the Sun and Bible, in Pye Corner.’ The very antiquated orthography adopted in some editions does not rest on any authority. For two tunes to _The Blind Beggar_, see _Popular Music_.] PART I. THIS song’s of a beggar who long lost his sight, And had a fair daughter, most pleasant and bright, And many a gallant brave suitor had she, And none was so comely as pretty Bessee. And though she was of complexion most fair, And seeing she was but a beggar his heir, Of ancient housekeepers despisèd was she, Whose sons came as suitors to pretty Bessee. Wherefore in great sorrow fair Bessee did say: ‘Good father and mother, let me now go away, To seek out my fortune, whatever it be.’ This suit then was granted to pretty Bessee. This Bessee, that was of a beauty most bright, They clad in grey russet; and late in the night From father and mother alone parted she, Who sighèd and sobbèd for pretty Bessee. She went till she came to Stratford-at-Bow, Then she know not whither or which way to go, With tears she lamented her sad destiny; So sad and so heavy was pretty Bessee. She kept on her journey until it was day, And went unto Rumford, along the highway; And at the King’s Arms entertainèd was she, So fair and well favoured was pretty Bessee. She had not been there one month at an end, But master and mistress and all was her friend: And every brave gallant that once did her see, Was straightway in love with pretty Bessee. Great gifts they did send her of silver and gold, And in their songs daily her love they extolled: Her beauty was blazèd in every decree, So fair and so comely was pretty Bessee. The young men of Rumford in her had their joy, She showed herself courteous, but never too coy, And at their commandment still she would be, So fair and so comely was pretty Bessee. Four suitors at once unto her did go, They cravèd her favour, but still she said no; I would not have gentlemen marry with me! Yet ever they honourèd pretty Bessee. Now one of them was a gallant young knight, And he came unto her disguised in the night; The second, a gentleman of high degree, Who wooèd and suèd for pretty Bessee. A merchant of London, whose wealth was not small, Was then the third suitor, and proper withal; Her master’s own son the fourth man must be, Who swore he would die for pretty Bessee. ‘If that thou wilt marry with me,’ quoth the knight, ‘I’ll make thee a lady with joy and delight; My heart is enthrallèd in thy fair beauty, Then grant me thy favour, my pretty Bessee.’ The gentleman said, ‘Come marry with me, In silks and in velvet my Bessee shall be; My heart lies distracted, oh! hear me,’ quoth he, ‘And grant me thy love, my dear pretty Bessee.’