When over the seas to fair Sandwich he came,
With Ruth, and a number of persons of fame,
Then all did appear most splendid and gay,
As if it had been a great festival day.
Now, when that they took up their lodgings, behold!
He stripped off his coat of embroiderèd gold,
And presently borrows a mariner’s suit,
That he with her parents might have some dispute,
Before they were sensible he was so great;
And when he came in and knocked at the gate,
He soon saw her father, and mother likewise,
Expressing their sorrow with tears in their eyes,
To them, with obeisance, he modestly said,
‘Pray where is my jewel, that innocent maid,
Whose sweet lovely beauty doth thousands excel?
I fear, by your weeping, that all is not well!’
‘No, no! she is gone, she is utterly lost;
We have not heard of her a twelvemonth at most!
Which makes us distracted with sorrow and care,
And drowns us in tears at the point of despair.’
‘I’m grievèd to hear these sad tidings,’ he cried.
‘Alas! honest young man,’ her father replied,
‘I heartily wish she’d been wedded to you,
For then we this sorrow had never gone through.’
Sweet Henry he made them this answer again;
‘I am newly come home from the kingdom of Spain,
From whence I have brought me a beautiful bride,
And am to be married to-morrow,’ he cried;
‘And if you will go to my wedding,’ said he,
‘Both you and your lady right welcome shall be.’
They promised they would, and accordingly came,
Not thinking to meet with such persons of fame.
All decked with their jewels of rubies and pearls,
As equal companions of lords and of earls,
Fair Ruth, with her love, was as gay as the rest,
So they in their marriage were happily blessed.
Now, as they returned from the church to an inn,
The father and mother of Ruth did begin
Their daughter to know, by a mole they behold,
Although she was clothed in a garment of gold.