Wherefore in great sorrow fair Bessee did say,
"Good father and mother, let me now go away,10
To seek out my fortune, whatever it be;"
This suit then was granted to pretty Bessee.
This Bessee, that was of a beauty most bright,
They clad in gray russet, and late in the night
From father and mother alone parted she,15
Who sighed and sobbed for pretty Bessee.
She went till she came to Stratford-at-Bow,
Then she knew not whither or which way to go;
With tears she lamented her sad destiny,
So sad and so heavy was pretty Bessee.20
She kept on her journey until it was day,
And went unto Rumford along the highway;
And at the King's Arms entertained was she,
So fair and well-favoured was pretty Bessee.
She had not been there one month at an end,25
But master and mistress and all was her friend;
And every brave gallant that once did her see
Was straightway in love with pretty Bessee.
Great gifts they did send her of silver and gold,
And in their songs daily her love they extoll'd;30
Her beauty was blazed in every degree,
So fair and so comely was pretty Bessee.
The young men of Rumford in her had their joy;
She shewed herself courteous, but never too coy,
And at their commandment still she would be,35
So fair and so comely was pretty Bessee.
Four suitors at once unto her did go,
They craved her favour, but still she said no;
"I would not have gentlemen marry with me,"—
Yet ever they honoured pretty Bessee.40
Now one of them was a gallant young knight,
And he came unto her disguised in the night;
The second, a gentleman of high degree,
Who wooed and sued for pretty Bessee.