With that an angel he dropped on the ground,
And dropped, in angels, full three thousand pound;
And oftentimes it proved most plain,115
For the gentlemans one, the beggar dropped twain.
So that the whole place wherein they did sit
With gold was covered every whit;
The gentleman having dropt all his store,
Said, "Beggar, your hand hold, for I have no more.120
"Thou hast fulfilled thy promise aright;"
"Then marry my girl," quoth he to the knight;
"And then," quoth he, "I will throw you down,
An hundred pound more to buy her a gown."
The gentlemen all, who his treasure had seen,125
Admired the Beggar of Bednall Green.
And those that had been her suitors before,
Their tender flesh for anger they tore.
Thus was the fair Bessee matched to a knight,
And made a lady in others despite:130
A fairer lady there never was seen
Than the Blind Beggars daughter of Bednall Green.
But of her sumptuous marriage and feast,
And what fine lords and ladies there prest,
The second part shall set forth to your sight,135
With marvellous pleasure, and wished for delight.
[6]. And seeing.
[91]. Percy has thicke.