They've casten him in a dungeon deep,
Where he could neither hear nor see;
For seven years they kept him there,15
Till he for hunger's like to die.
This Moor he had but ae daughter,
Her name was called Susie Pye;
And every day as she took the air,
Near Beichan's prison she passed by.20
O so it fell, upon a day
She heard young Beichan sadly sing;
"My hounds they all go masterless;
My hawks they flee from tree to tree;
My younger brother will heir my land;25
Fair England again I'll never see!"
All night long no rest she got,
Young Beichan's song for thinking on;
She's stown the keys from her father's head,
And to the prison strong is gone.30
And she has open'd the prison doors,
I wot she open'd two or three,
Ere she could come young Beichan at,
He was locked up so curiouslie.
But when she came young Beichan before,35
Sore wonder'd he that may to see;
He took her for some fair captive;—
"Fair Lady, I pray, of what countrie?"
"O have ye any lands," she said,
"Or castles in your own countrie,40
That ye could give to a lady fair,
From prison strong to set you free?"
"Near London town I have a hall,
With other castles two or three;
I'll give them all to the lady fair45
That out of prison will set me free."
"Give me the truth of your right hand,
The truth of it give unto me,
That for seven years ye'll no lady wed,
Unless it be along with me."50