At length it hapned that this gallant girle, Which scorned all men that she euer saw, Holding her selfe to be a matchlesse Pearle, And such a Loadestone that could Louers draw: Grew belly-full, exceeding bigge and plumpe, Which put her Mayden-credit in a dumpe. Time running course, and her full stomacke fed, When consumation of fewe months expired, Shee husbandlesse, a mayde was brought to bed, Of that rare _Merlin_ that the world admired: This to be honest, all her friends did doubt it, Much prittle prattle was in _Wales_ about it. So that ere long, the strangnes of the thing, To heare that Lady _Adhan_ had a childe, Caus'd famous _Arthur_ (being Brittans King) Send for her to the Court, and reason milde: To know how this rare matter could be done, And make her finde a father for her sonne. She told his Maiestie with sighes and teares, That keeping beautie carefull from the Sunne, Within her chamber safely shut from feares, Till _Phoebus_ horses to the West were runne: The doores fast lock'd, and she her selfe alone, Came in a gallant stranger, meere vnknowne. Who euer came in courting manner to her, With all the louing courage could be thought: So powerfull in perswasions force to woe her, That to his will constrained she was brought: Although her heart did firme deniall vow, Yet she was forc'd to yeeld and knew not how. So oft he came (quoth she) priuate and strange, When I shut vp my selfe in most sad humor, That I began to finde an inward change, Which brought me quickly to an outward tumor: An't please your highnes I was in such case, That to the world I durst not show my face. My foes reioyced, all my friends were sad, My selfe in sorrow spent both day and night, No satisfaction my wrong'd honour had, Was neuer maide in such perplexed plight: To be with child whether I will or no, And for my child, no humane father know. Had I bin married (quoth she) as I ought, And with my loue, the loue of man requited, I had not to this woefull state bin brought, In all contempt, disgracefully despighted: And tearmed strumpet by the rude vnciuill, Who say my sonne is bastard to the diuell. Wherefore I wish Ladies of my degree, And all the rest inferiour sorts of maydes, To take a warning (for their good) by me, Yeelding affection when kind men perswades: And hate disdaine that vile accursed sin, Least they be plagu'd for pride as I haue bin. How say you to this warning wenches now, That Lady _Adhan_ giues vnto you all, Were you not better marriage to allow, Then in a manner for a Midwife call: I thinke you were if I might iudge the cause, How say you _Susan_, speake good _Doll_ and _Grace_. _Grace_.