Fair Isabella was she call'd,
A creature faire was shee;
She was her fathers only joye;15
As you shall after see.
Therefore her cruel step-mother
Did envye her so much,
That daye by daye she sought her life,
Her malice it was such.20
She bargain'd with the master-cook
To take her life awaye;
And taking of her daughter's book,
She thus to her did saye:—
"Go home, sweet daughter, I thee praye,25
Go hasten presentlie,
And tell unto the master-cook
These wordes that I tell thee.
"And bid him dresse to dinner streight
That faire and milk-white doe30
That in the parke doth shine so bright,
There's none so faire to showe."
This ladye fearing of no harme,
Obey'd her mothers will;
And presentlye she hasted home,35
Her pleasure to fulfill.
She streight into the kitchen went,
Her message for to tell;
And there she spied the master-cook,
"Nowe, master-cook, it must be soe,
Do that which I thee tell:
You needes must dresse the milk-white doe,
Which you do knowe full well."