19 At last, att the millers house soone thé did spye him plaine, As he was mounting vpon his faire steede; To whome thé came p_re_sentlye, falling downe on their knees, W_hi_ch made the millers hart wofullye bleed. Shaking and quaking before him he stood, Thinking he shold be hanged by the rood. 20 The k[ing] p_er_ceiuing him fearfully tremblinge, Drew forth his sword, but nothing he said; The miller downe did fall crying before them all, Doubtinge the k_ing_ wold cut of his head. But he, his kind curtesie for to requite, Gaue him great liuing, and dubd him a k_nigh_t. 21 When as our noble k_ing_ came from Nottingam, And w_i_th his nobles in Westminster lay, Recounting the sports and the pastime thé had tane In this late p_ro_gresse along on the way, Of them all, great and small, hee did p_ro_test The miller of Mansfeild liked him best. 22 ’And now, my l_or_ds,’ q_uo_th the k_ing_, ’I am determined, Against St Georges next sumptuous feast, _Tha_t this old miller, o_u_r youngest confirmed k_nigh_t, W_i_th his sonne Richard, shalbe both my guest; For in this merryment it is my desire To talke w_i_th this iollye k_nigh_t and the younge squier.’ 23 When as the noble lords saw the k_ing_s merriment, Thé were right ioyfull and glad in their harts; A pursiuant thé sent straight on this busines, The w_hi_ch oftentimes vsed those p_ar_ts. When he came to the place where he did dwell, His message merrilye then he did tell. 24 ’God saue yo_u_r worshippe,’ then said the messenger, ’And grant yo_u_r ladye her owne harts desire; And to yo_u_r sonne Rich_ard_ good fortune and happinesse, _Tha_t sweet younge gentleman and gallant squier! Our k_ing_ greets you well, and thus doth say; You must come to the court on St Georges day. 25 ’Therfore in any case fayle not to be in place.’ ’I-wis,’ q_uo_th the miller, ’it is an odd iest! What shold wee doe there?’ he sayd, ’infaith I am halfe afraid.’ ’I doubt,’ q_uo_th Richard, ’to be hanged att the least.’ ’Nay,’ q_uo_th the messenger, ’you doe mistake; Our k_ing_ p_re_pares a great feast for yo_u_r sake.’ 26 ’Then,’ said the miller, ’now by my troth, messenger, Thou hast contented my worshipp full well: Hold! there is three farthings to quite thy great gentleness For these happy tydings w_hi_ch thou dost me tell. Let me see! hearest thou me? tell to our k_ing_, Wee’le wayte on his mastershipp in eu_e_rye thing.’ 27 The pursivant smyled at their simplicitye, And making many leggs, tooke their reward, And takeing then his leaue with great humilitye To the k_ing_s court againe hee repayred, Showing vnto his Grace in eu_e_rye degree The k_nigh_ts most liberall giffts and great bountye.