A young and proper lad
They had slain in secret
For the gold he had,
Whom they did convey
By a ruffian lewd145
To that place directly,
Where the youthful Knight
Fast a sleeping lay.
The bloody dagger than,
Wherewith they kill'd the man,150
Hard by the Knight he likewise laid,
Sprinkling him with blood,
As he thought it good,
And then no longer there he stayd.
The Knight, being so abused,155
Was forthwith accused
For this murder which was done;
And he was condemned
That had not offended;
Shamefull death he might not shun.160
When the Lady bright
Understood the matter,
That her wedded Knight
Was condemn'd to dye,
To the King she went165
With all the speed that might be,
Where she did lament
Her hard destiny.
"Noble King!" quoth she,
"Pitty take on me,170
And pardon my poor husbands life;
Else I am undone,
With my little son:
Let mercy mitigate this grief."
"Lady fair, content thee;175
Soon thou wouldst repent thee,
If he should be saved so:
Sore he hath abus'd thee,
Sore he hath misus'd thee;
Therefore, Lady, let him go."180
"O my liege!" quoth she,
"Grant your gracious favour:
Dear he is to me,
Though he did me wrong."
The King reply'd again,185
With a stern behaviour,
"A subject he hath slain,
Dye he shall ere long:
Except thou canst find
Any one so kind,190
That will dye and set him free."
"Noble King!" she said,
"Glad am I apaid;
That same person will I be.
I will suffer duly,195
I will suffer truly,
For my love and husbands sake."
The King thereat amazed,
Though he her beauty praised,
He bad from thence they should her take.
It was the King's command,201
On the morrow after
She should out of hand
To the scaffold go:
Her husband was205
To bear the sword before her;
He must eke, alas!
Give the deadly blow.
He refus'd the deed;
She bid him to proceed,210
With a thousand kisses sweet.
In this wofull case
They did both imbrace,
Which mov'd the ruffians in that place
Straight for to discover215
This concealed murder;
Whereby the lady saved was.
The harlot then was hanged,
As she well deserved:
This did vertue bring to passe.220