PART I.--Showing how a noble Knight was riding by a farmer’s house, when his wife was in travail. The Knight knowing the signs and planets, and looking on a book, read that the farmer’s daughter that was born that hour was to be his lady and bride. And how the cruel Knight got the child from her parents, and flung it into a river; but by good fortune, the child was taken up by a poor fisherman alive, and brought home till she was eleven years old. PART II.--How the fisherman was at an inn with some gentlemen, the cruel Knight being in the same company, and seeing the young girl come in, he asked the fisherman if she was his own daughter, who told the story of his taking her up, &c. How the cruel Knight got this poor girl away, and contrived her death a second time, and how he was prevented. PART III.--How the Knight contrived her death a third time; but her life was saved, by showing the Knight a ring that he flung in the sea; when the Knight saw it, found it in vain to strive against his fortune, so he married her, and made her his lady; with other things worthy of note. PART I. In York fair city a farmer did dwell, Who was belov’d by his neighbours full well; He had a good wife who was virtuous and fair, And by her he had a child every year. In seven years time six children they had, Which made both the father and mother’s heart glad But a little time after as we do hear say, This farmer in money and stock did decay, Although at one time he had riches in store, But a little time after he quickly grew poor. He strove all he could, but alas! could not thrive, Nor hardly could keep his poor children alive. But children came faster than silver or gold, For his wife she conceived again as I’m told, And when her time came in hard travail she fell, But if you will mind, a strange wonder I’ll tell; A rich noble knight did chance to ride by, And hearing this woman to shriek and to cry, He being well learned in planets and signs, Did look on a book which much puzzled his mind. For the more he did look, still the more he did read, And found that fate this young child had decreed, Who was born in that house that same hour and tide Had found it was she that must be his sweet bride. But judge how the knight was disturbed in mind, When he in that book his own fortune did find; He quickly rode home, but was sorely oppressed, From that very moment he could not have rest. All night he did tumble and toss in his bed, And very strange projects did run in his head: Then he was resolved very quickly indeed, To alter that fortune he found was decreed. With murdering heart the next morning he rose, And to the house of the farmer he goes: Then asked the man with a heart full of spite, If the child was alive that was born last night. Worthy sir, said the farmer, although I am poor,