‘Thy beauty’s a portion, my joy and my dear,
I prize it far better than thousands a year,
And to have my friends’ consent I have got a trick,
I’ll go to my bed, and feign myself sick.
‘There no one shall tend me but thee I profess;
So one day or another in thy richest dress,
Thou shalt be clad, and if my parents come nigh,
I’ll tell them ’tis for thee that sick I do lie.’
PART IV.
Thus having consulted, this couple parted.
Next day this young squire he took to his bed;
And when his dear parents this thing both perceived,
For fear of his death they were right sorely grieved.
To tend him they send for a nurse speedily,
He said, ‘None but Catskin my nurse now shall be.’
His parents said, ‘No, son.’ He said, ‘But she shall,
Or else I’ll have none for to nurse me at all.’
His parents both wondered to hear him say thus,
That no one but Catskin must be his nurse;
So then his dear parents their son to content,
Up into his chamber poor Catskin they sent.
Sweet cordials and other rich things were prepared,
Which between this young couple were equally shared;
And when all alone they in each other’s arms,
Enjoyed one another in love’s pleasant charms.
And at length on a time poor Catskin, ’tis said,
In her rich attire again was arrayed,
And when that his mother to the chamber drew near,
Then much like a goddess did Catskin appear;
Which caused her to stare, and thus for to say,
‘What young lady is this, come tell me, I pray?’
He said, ‘It is Catskin for whom sick I lie,
And except I do have her with speed I shall die.’
His mother then hastened to call up the knight,
Who ran up to see this amazing great sight;
He said, ‘Is this Catskin we held in such scorn?
I ne’er saw a finer dame since I was born.’