"And bid him send one bit of bread,
And bid him send one cup of wine,
Unto the maid he hath betray'd,
Tho' she freed him from cruel pine."
The porter hasten'd to his lord,
And fell down on his bended knee:
"My lord, a lady stands at your gate,
The fairest lady I e'er did see.
"On every finger she has a ring,
And on her middle finger three;
With as much gold above her brow
As wou'd buy an earldom to me."
It's out then spake the bride's mother,
Both loud and angry out spake she,—
"Ye might have excepted our bonnie bride,
If not more of this companie."
"My dame, your daughter's fair enough,
Her beauty's not denied by me;
But were she ten times fairer still,
With this lady ne'er compare cou'd she.
"My lord, she asks one bit of bread,
And bids you send one cup of wine;
And to remember the lady's love,
Who freed you out of cruel pine."
Lord Beichan hied him down the stair,—
Of fifteen steps he made but three,
Until he came to Susie Pye,
Whom he did kiss most tenderlie.
He's ta'en her by the lily hand,
And led her to his noble hall,
Where stood his sore-bewilder'd bride,
And wedding guests assembled all.
Fair Susie blushing look'd around,
Upon the lords and ladies gay;
Then with the tear-drops in her eyes,
Unto Lord Beichan she did say:
"Oh, have ye ta'en another bride,
And broke your plighted vows to me?
Then fare thee well, my Christian lord,
I'll try to think no more on thee.