A merchant of London, whose wealth was not small,45
Was then the third suitor, and proper withal;
Her master's own son the fourth man must be,
Who swore he would die for pretty Bessee.
"If that thou wilt marry with me," quoth the knight,
"I'll make thee a lady with joy and delight;50
My heart is enthralled in thy fair beauty,
Then grant me thy favour, my pretty Bessee."
The gentleman said, "Come marry with me,
In silks and in velvets my Bessee shall be;
My heart lies distracted, oh hear me!" quoth he,55
"And grant me thy love, my dear pretty Bessee."
"Let me be thy husband," the merchant did say,
"Thou shalt live in London most gallant and gay;
My ships shall bring home rich jewels for thee,
And I will for ever love pretty Bessee."60
Then Bessee she sighed, and thus she did say;
"My father and mother I mean to obey;
First get their goodwill, and be faithful to me,
And you shall enjoy your dear pretty Bessee."
To every one of them that answer she made;65
Therefore unto her they joyfully said,
"This thing to fulfill we all now agree;
But where dwells thy father, my pretty Bessee?"
"My father," quoth she, "is soon to be seen;
The silly blind beggar of Bednall Green,70
That daily sits begging for charity,
He is the kind father of pretty Bessee.
"His marks and his token are knowen full well;
He always is led by a dog and a bell;
A poor silly old man, God knoweth, is he,75
Yet he is the true father of pretty Bessee."