The old knight he said to her, ‘I prithee tell me,
From whence thou didst come and of what family?’
Then who were her parents she gave them to know,
And what was the cause of her wandering so.
The young squire he cried, ‘If you will save my life,
Pray grant this young creature she may be my wife.’
His father replied, ‘Thy life for to save,
If you have agreed, my consent you may have.’
Next day, with great triumph and joy as we hear,
There were many coaches came far and near;
Then much like a goddess dressed in rich array,
Catskin was married to the squire that day.
For several days this wedding did last,
Where was many a topping and gallant repast,
And for joy the bells rung out all over the town,
And bottles of canary rolled merrily round.
When Catskin was married, her fame for to raise,
Who saw her modest carriage they all gave her praise;
Thus her charming beauty the squire did win;
And who lives so great now as he and Catskin.
PART V.
Now in the fifth part I’ll endeavour to show,
How things with her parents and sister did go;
Her mother and sister of life are bereft,
And now all alone the old squire is left.
Who hearing his daughter was married so brave,
He said, ‘In my noddle a fancy I have;
Dressed like a poor man now a journey I’ll make,
And see if she on me some pity will take.’
Then dressed like a beggar he went to her gate,
Where stood his daughter, who looked very great;
He cried, ‘Noble lady, a poor man I be,
And am now forced to crave charity.’
With a blush she asked him from whence that he came;
And with that he told her, and likewise his name.
She cried ‘I’m your daughter, whom you slighted so,
Yet, nevertheless, to you kindness I’ll show.