"The serving man a queen?" cried the girl. "Why how could that be, father?" "Listen, and you shall hear." In a rich full voice he trolled the following ballad: THE FAMOUS FLOWER OF SERVING MEN "You beauteous ladyes, great and small, I write unto you one and all, Whereby that you may understand What I have suffered in the land. "I was by birth a lady faire, An ancient baron's only heire, And when my goode old father died Then I became a young knight's bride. "And then my love built me a bower, Bedecked with many a fragrant flower; A braver bower you ne'er did see Than my true love did build for me. "And there I lived a lady gay Till fortune wrought my love's decay; For there came foes so fierce a band, That soon they overran the land. "They came upon us in the night, And rent my bower and slew my knight; And trembling hid in man's array, I scarce with life escaped away. "Yet though my heart was full of care, Heaven would not suffer me to despair; Wherefore in haste I changed my name From fair Elise to Sweet Williame. "And then withal I cut my hair, Resolv'd my man's attire to wear; And in my beaver, hose and band, I travel'd far through many a land. "At length all wearied with my toil, I sate me down to rest awhile; My heart it was so filled with woe, That down my cheeks the tears did flow. "It chanced the king of that same place, With all his lords a hunting was, And seeing me weep, upon the same Askt who I was, and whence I came. "Then to His Grace I did reply, 'I am a poor and friendless boy, Though nobly born, now forc'd to be A serving man of low degree.' "'Stand up, fair youth,' the king reply'd, For thee a service I'll provide; But tell me first what thou canst do Thou shall be fitted thereunto. "'Chuse, gentle youth,' said he, 'thy place,' Then I reply'd, 'If it please Your Grace, To show such favor unto me, Your chamberlain I fain would be.' "Now mark what fortune did provide; The king he would a hunting ride With all his lords and noble train, Sweet Williame must at home remain. "And meeting with a ladye's vest, Within the same myself I drest; With silken robes and jewels rare, I deckt me as a lady faire.