Know, I am sister of a king, And in my early years Was married to a mighty prince, The fairest of his peers. With him I sweetly liv'd in love A twelvemonth and a day: When, lo! a foul and treacherous priest Y-wrought our loves' decay. His seeming goodness won him pow'r; He had his master's ear: And long to me and all the world He did a saint appear. One day, when we were all alone, He proffer'd odious love: The wretch with horror I repuls'd, And from my presence drove. He feign'd remorse, and piteous begg'd His crime I'd not reveal: Which, for his seeming penitence, I promis'd to conceal. With treason, villainy, and wrong, My goodness he repay'd: With jealous doubts he fill'd my lord, And me to woe betray'd. He hid a slave within my bed, Then rais'd a bitter cry. My lord, possess'd with rage, condemn'd Me, all unheard, to die. But 'cause I then was great with child, At length my life he spar'd: But bade me instant quit the realm, One trusty knight my guard. Forth on my journey I depart, Oppressed with grief and woe: And tow'rds my brother's distant court, With breaking heart, I go. Long time thro' sundry foreign lands We slowly pace along: At length, within a forest wild, I fell in labour strong: And while the knight for succour sought, And left me there forlorn, My childbed pains so fast increas'd Two lovely boys were born. The eldest fair and smooth as snow That tips the mountain hoar; The younger's little body rough With hairs was cover'd o'er. But here afresh begin my woes: While tender care I took To shield my eldest from the cold, And wrap him in my cloak, A prowling bear burst from the wood, And seiz'd my younger son: Affection lent my weakness wings, And after them I run. But all forwearied, weak, and spent, I quickly swoon'd away; And there beneath the greenwood shade Long time I lifeless lay. At length the knight brought me relief, And rais'd me from the ground: But neither of my pretty babes Could ever more be found. And, while in search we wander'd far, We met that giant grim; Who ruthless slew my trusty knight, And bare me off with him. But charm'd by heav'n, or else my griefs, He offer'd me no wrong; Save that within these lonely walls I've been immur'd so long. Now surely, said the youthful knight, You are Lady Ballisance, Wife to the Grecian Emperor: Your brother's king of France. For in your royal brother's court Myself my breeding had; Where oft the story of your woes Hath made my bosom sad.