Catskin said to his mother, ‘Pray, madam, let me Go after your son now, this ball for to see.’ With that in a passion this lady she grew, And struck her with the ladle, and broke it in two. On being thus servèd she quick got away, And in her rich garments herself did array; And then to this ball she with speed did retire, Where she dancèd so bravely that all did admire. The sport being done, the young squire did say, ‘Young lady, where do you live? tell me, I pray.’ Her answer was to him, ‘Sir, that I will tell,— At the sign of the broken ladle I dwell.’ She being very nimble, got home first, ’tis said, And in her catskin robes she soon was arrayed; And into the kitchen again she did go, But where she had been they did none of them know. Next night this young squire, to give him content, To dance at this ball again forth he went. She said, ‘Pray let me go this ball for to view.’ Then she struck with the skimmer, and broke it in two. Then out of the doors she ran full of heaviness, And in her rich garments herself soon did dress; And to this ball ran away with all speed, Where to see her dancing all wondered indeed. The ball being ended, the young squire said, ‘Where is it you live?’ She again answerèd, ‘Sir, because you ask me, account I will give, At the sign of the broken skimmer I live.’ Being dark when she left him, she homeward did hie, And in her catskin robes she was dressed presently, And into the kitchen amongst them she went, But where she had been they were all innocent. When the squire dame home, and found Catskin there, He was in amaze and began for to swear; ‘For two nights at the ball has been a lady, The sweetest of beauties that ever I did see. ‘She was the best dancer in all the whole place, And very much like our Catskin in the face; Had she not been dressed in that costly degree, I should have swore it was Catskin’s body. Next night to the ball he did go once more, And she askèd his mother to go as before, Who, having a basin of water in hand, She threw it at Catskin, as I understand. Shaking her wet ears, out of doors she did run, And dressèd herself when this thing she had done. To the ball once more she then went her ways; To see her fine dancing they all gave her praise. And having concluded, the young squire said he, ‘From whence might you come, pray, lady, tell me?’ Her answer was, ‘Sir, you shall soon know the same, From the sign of the basin of water I came.’ Then homeward she hurried, as fast as could be; This young squire then was resolvèd to see Whereto she belonged, and, following Catskin, Into an old straw house he saw her creep in.