Of him for mercy she did crave; Quoth he, "Thou hast refused My proffer'd grace and mercy both, And much my name abused." 120 "Sore have I sinn'd, O Lord," she said, "And spent my time in vain; But bring me, like a wand'ring sheep, Into thy fold again. "O Lord my God, I will amend 125 My former wicked vice; The thief for one poor silly word Past into Paradise." "My laws and my commandments," Saith Christ, "were known to thee; 130 But of the same, in any wise, Not yet one word did ye." "I grant the same, O Lord," quoth she; "Most lewdly did I live; But yet the loving father did 135 His prodigal son forgive." "So I forgive thy soul," he said, "Through thy repenting cry; Come you therefore into my joy, I will not thee deny." 140 THE GENTLEMAN IN THRACIA. From Collier's _Roxburghe Ballads_, p. 17. This ballad is founded on a tale in the _Gesta Romanorum_, (_Old English Versions_, &c. p. 140.) Nearly the same story occurs in Barbazan's _Fabliaux_, ii. 440, and also, says Madden, in the _Contes Tartares_ of Gueulette, iii. 157, and many other places. The model for all these is of course the Judgment of Solomon, in _1 Kings_, iii. 16-27. See Douce, ii. 385. Mr. Collier remarks that this ballad is without date, but was undoubtedly written late in the sixteenth, or early in the seventeenth, century. In searching ancient chronicles, It was my chance to finde A story worth the writing out, In my conceit and mind. It is an admonition good 5 That children ought to have, With reverence for to thinke upon Their parents laid in grave. In Thracia liv'd a gentleman, Of noble progeny, 10 Who rul'd his household with great fame, And true integrity. This gentleman did take to wife A neat and gallant dame, Whose outward shew and beauty bright 15 Did many hearts inflame. The luster that came from her lookes, Her carriage and her grace, Like beauteous Cynthia did outshine Each lady in that place. 20 And being puffed up in pride, With ease and jollity, Her husband could not her content; She other men must try. Lasciviously long time she liv'd, 25 Yet bore it cunningly; For she had those that watch'd so well, That he could nought espy. With bribes and gifts she so bewitch'd The hearts of some were neere, 30 That they conceal'd her wickednesse, And kept it from her deare.