And should some great court-lady say, the Prince
Hath pick’d a ragged-robin from the hedge,
And like a madman brought her to the court, 725
Then were you shamed, and, worse, might shame the Prince
To whom we are beholden; but I know,
When my dear child is set forth at her best,
That neither court nor country, though they sought
Through all the provinces like those of old 730
That lighted on Queen Esther, has her match.”
Here ceased the kindly mother out of breath;