And while he did in chase remaine, 5 To see both sport and playe, His ladye went, as she did feigne, Unto the church to praye. This lord he had a daughter deare, Whose beauty shone so bright, 10 She was belov'd, both far and neare, Of many a lord and knight. Fair Isabella was she call'd, A creature faire was shee; She was her fathers only joye; 15 As you shall after see. Therefore her cruel step-mother Did envye her so much, That daye by daye she sought her life, Her malice it was such. 20 She bargain'd with the master-cook To take her life awaye; And taking of her daughter's book, She thus to her did saye:-- "Go home, sweet daughter, I thee praye, 25 Go hasten presentlie, And tell unto the master-cook These wordes that I tell thee. "And bid him dresse to dinner streight That faire and milk-white doe 30 That in the parke doth shine so bright, There's none so faire to showe." This ladye fearing of no harme, Obey'd her mothers will; And presentlye she hasted home, 35 Her pleasure to fulfill. She streight into the kitchen went, Her message for to tell; And there she spied the master-cook, Who did with malice swell. 40 "Nowe, master-cook, it must be soe, Do that which I thee tell: You needes must dresse the milk-white doe, Which you do knowe full well." Then streight his cruell bloodye hands, 45 He on the ladye layd; Who quivering and shaking stands, While thus to her he sayd: "Thou art the doe that I must dresse; See here, behold my knife; 50 For it is pointed presently To ridd thee of thy life." "O then," cried out the scullion-boye, As loud as loud might bee, "O save her life, good master-cook, 55 And make your pyes of mee! "For pityes sake do not destroye My ladye with your knife; You know shee is her father's joye; For Christes sake save her life!" 60 "I will not save her life," he sayd, "Nor make my pyes of thee; Yet if thou dost this deed bewraye, Thy butcher I will bee." Now when this lord he did come home 65 For to sitt down and eat, He called for his daughter deare, To come and carve his meat. "Now sit you downe," his ladye sayd, "O sit you downe to meat; 70 Into some nunnery she is gone; Your daughter deare forget."