Upon a Monnyn day: There was the doughty Douglas slain, The Perse never went away. There was never a time on the March-partys Sen the Douglas and the Perse met, But it was marvel, and the red blude ran not, As the rain does in the street. Jesu Christ our bales bete, And to the bliss us bring! Thus was the Hunting of the Cheviot: God send us all good ending! (_tear_, injury (?). _spurn_, retaliation. _sen_, when. _bales bete_, sufferings better.) [Illustration: 0071] [Illustration: 0072] THE BLIND BEGGAR'S DAUGHTER OF BEDNALL GREEN |This song's of a beggar who long lost his sight, And had a fair daughter, most pleasant and bright; And many a gallant brave suitor had she, And none was so comely as pretty Bessee. And though she was of complexion most fair, Yet seeing she was but a beggar his heir, Of ancient housekeepers despised was she, Whose sons came as suitors to pretty Bessee. Wherefore in great sorrow fair Bessee did say, "Good father and mother, let me now go away, To seek out my fortune, whatever it be;" This suit then was granted to pretty Bessee. This Bessee, that was of a beauty most bright, They clad in gray russet, and late in the night From father and mother alone parted she, Who sighed and sobbed for pretty Bessee. She went till she came to Stratford-at-Bow, Then she knew not whither or which way to go; With tears she lamented her sad destiny, So sad and so heavy was pretty Bessee. She kept on her journey until it was day, And went unto Rumford along the highway; And at the King's Arms entertained was she, So fair and well-favoured was pretty Bessee. She had not been there one month at an end, But master and mistress and all was her friend; And every brave gallant that once did her see Was straightway in love with pretty Bessee. Great gifts they did send her of silver and gold, And in their songs daily her love they extoll'd; Her beauty was blazed in every degree, So fair and so comely was pretty Bessee. The young men of Rumford in her had their joy; She shewed herself courteous, but never too coy, And at their commandment still she would be, So fair and so comely was pretty Bessee. Four suitors at once unto her did go, They craved her favour, but still she said no; "I would not have gentlemen marry with me,"-- Yet ever they honoured pretty Bessee. Now one of them was a gallant young knight, And he came unto her disguised in the night; The second, a gentleman of high degree, Who wooed and sued for prétty Bessee. A merchant of London, whose wealth was not small, Was then the third suitor, and proper withal; Her master's own son the fourth man must be, Who swore he would die for pretty Bessee. "If that thou wilt marry with me," quoth the knight, "Ill make thee a lady with joy and delight; My heart is enthralled in thy fair beauty, Then grant me thy favour, my pretty Bessee."