‘Thou hast fulfillèd thy promise aright,
Then marry my girl,’ quoth he to the knight;
‘And then,’ quoth he, ‘I will throw you down,
An hundred pound more to buy her a gown.’
The gentlemen all, who his treasure had seen,
Admirèd the beggar of Bednall Green;
And those that had been her suitors before,
Their tender flesh for anger they tore.
Thus was the fair Bessee matchèd to a knight,
And made a lady in other’s despite.
A fairer lady there never was seen
Than the blind beggar’s daughter of Bednall Green.
But of her sumptuous marriage and feast,
And what fine lords and ladies there prest,
The second part shall set forth to your sight,
With marvellous pleasure and wished-for delight.
Of a blind beggar’s daughter so bright,
That late was betrothed to a young knight,
All the whole discourse therefore you may see;
But now comes the wedding of pretty Bessee.
PART II.
It was in a gallant palace most brave,
Adornèd with all the cost they could have,
This wedding it was kept most sumptuously,
And all for the love of pretty Bessee.
And all kind of dainties and delicates sweet,
Was brought to their banquet, as it was thought meet,
Partridge, and plover, and venison most free,
Against the brave wedding of pretty Bessee.
The wedding through England was spread by report,
So that a great number thereto did resort
Of nobles and gentles of every degree,
And all for the fame of pretty Bessee.
To church then away went this gallant young knight,
His bride followed after, an angel most bright,
With troops of ladies, the like was ne’er seen,
As went with sweet Bessee of Bednall Green.