Although that her father he hated her so,
He a good education on her did bestow;
And with a gold locket, and robes of the best,
This slighted young damsel was commonly dressed.
And when unto stature this damsel was grown,
And found from her father she had no love shown,
She cried, ‘Before I will lay under his frown,
I’m resolvèd to travel the country around.’
PART II.
But now mark, good people, the cream of the jest,
In what sort of manner this creature was dressed;
With cat-skins she made her a robe, I declare,
The which for her covering she daily did wear.
Her own rich attire, and jewels beside,
Then up in a bundle by her they were tied,
And to seek her fortune she wandered away;
And when she had travelled a cold winter’s day,
In the evening-tide she came to a town,
Where at a knight’s door she sat herself down,
For to rest herself, who was tirèd sore;—
This noble knight’s lady then came to the door.
This fair creature seeing in such sort of dress,
The lady unto her these words did express:
‘Whence camest thou, girl, and what wouldst thou have?’
She said, ‘A night’s rest in your stable I crave.’
The lady said to her, ‘I’ll grant thy desire,
Come into the kitchen, and stand by the fire.’
Then she thankèd the lady, and went in with haste;
And there she was gazed on from highest to least.
And, being well warmed, her hunger was great,
They gave her a plate of good food for to eat,
And then to an outhouse this creature was led,
Where with fresh straw she soon made her a bed.
And when in the morning the daylight she saw,
Her riches and jewels she hid in the straw;
And, being very cold, she then did retire
Into the kitchen, and stood by the fire.