Answering ‘A merchant rich, of middle age,

My husband is; and o’er his features sage

His temples are already touch’d with snow.

28

‘But ’gainst his wish since hither ye were brought

’Twere best depart.’ Then her accustom’d spell

Sped them upon the summit quick as thought;

And being alone her doing pleased her well:

So was she vext to find her love at night

More sad than ever, of her sisters’ spite