There was a knight of noble worth, Which also lived at the North. The knight, of courage stout and brave, 5 A wife he did desire to have. He knocked at the lady's gate, One evening when it was late. The eldest sister let him in,[L9] And pinn'd the door with a silver pin. 10 The second sister, she made his bed, And laid soft pillows under his head. The youngest [sister] that same night, She went to bed to this young knight. And in the morning when it was day, 15 These words unto him she did say. "Now you have had your will," quoth she, "I pray, Sir Knight, you marry me." This young brave knight to her reply'd. "Thy suit, fair maid, shall not be deny'd, 20 "If thou canst answer me questions three, This very day will I marry thee." "Kind sir, in love, O then," quoth she, "Tell me what your three questions be." "O what is longer than the way?[L25] 25 Or what is deeper than the sea? "Or what is louder than a horn? Or what is sharper than a thorn? "Or what is greener than the grass? Or what is worse than a woman was?" 30 "O love is longer than the way, And hell is deeper than the sea. "And thunder's louder than the horn, And hunger's sharper than a thorn. "And poyson's greener than the grass,[L35] 35 And the devil's worse than the woman was." When she these questions answered had, The knight became exceeding glad. And having truly try'd her wit, He much commended her for it. 40 And after, as 'tis verified, He made of her his lovely bride. So now, fair maidens all, adieu; This song I dedicate to you. I wish that you may constant prove 45 Unto the man that you do love. 9. youngest. 25. i.e. the milky way. 35. "_Vergris_ is greener than the grass." _C. W.'s Courtship_, v. 97. KING EDWARD FOURTH AND THE TANNER OF TAMWORTH.