He said, "O brave Catskin, I find it is thee, Who these three nights together has so charmed me; 130 Thou'rt the sweetest creature my eyes e'er beheld; With joy and comfort my heart it is fill'd. "Thou art the cook's scullion, but as I have life, Grant me [but] thy love, and I'll make thee my wife, And you shall have maids to wait at your call." 135 "Sir, that cannot be; I've no portion at all." "Thy beauty is portion, my joy and my dear; I prize it far better than thousands a year; And to gain my friends' consent, I've got a trick; I'll go to my bed and feign myself sick. 140 "There's none shall attend me but thee, I profess,[L141] And some day or other in thy richest dress Thou shalt be drest; if my parents come nigh, I'll tell them that for thee sick I do lie." PART IV. Having thus consulted, this couple partèd. 145 Next day this young 'squire took to his bed. When his dear parents this thing perceiv'd, For fear of his death they were heartily griev'd. To tend him they sent for a nurse presently: 149 He said, "None but Catskin my nurse now shall be." His parents said, "No." He said, "But she shall, Or else I'll have none for to nurse me at all." His parents both wonder'd to hear him say thus, That no one but Catskin must be his nurse; So then his dear parents their son to content, 155 Up into the chamber poor Catskin they sent. Sweet cordials and other rich things were prepar'd, Which betwixt this young couple was equally shar'd; And when all alone, they in each other's arms Enjoy'd one another in love's pleasant charms. 160 At length on a time poor Catskin, 'tis said, In her rich attire she then was array'd; And when his mother the chamber drew near, Then much like a goddess did Catskin appear. Which caus'd her to startle, and thus she did say; 165 "What young lady's this, son, tell me I pray?" He said, "It is Catskin, for whom I sick lie, And without I have her with speed I shall die." His mother ran down for to call the old knight, Who ran up to see this amazing great sight; 170 He said, "Is this Catskin we hold so in scorn? I ne'er saw a finer dame since I was born." The old knight said to her, "I pry'thee tell me, From whence dost thou come, and of what family." Then who was her parents she gave them to know, 175 And what was the cause of her wandering so. The young 'squire said, "If you will save my life, Pray grant this young creature may be my wife." His father reply'd, "Your life for to save, If you are agreed, my consent you shall have." 180