14 'A flower there is, that shineth bright,
Some call it marygold-a;
He that wold not when he might,
He shall not when he wold-a.'
15 The knight was riding another day,
With cloak and hat and feather;
He met again with that lady gay,
Who was angling in the river.
16 'Now, lady faire, I've met with you,
You shall no more escape me;
Remember how not long agoe
You falsely did intrap me.'
17 The lady blushed scarlet red,
And trembled at the stranger:
'How shall I guard my maidenhead
From this approaching danger!'
18 He from his saddle down did light,
In all his riche attyer,
And cryed, As I am a noble knight,
I do thy charms admyer.
19 He took the lady by the hand,
Who seemingly consented,
And would no more disputing stand;
She had a plot invented.
20 'Looke yonder, good sir knight, I praye,
Methinks I now discover,
A riding upon his dapple-grey,
My former constant lover.'
21 On tip-toe peering stood the knight,
Fast by the river brink-a;
The lady pusht with all her might:
'Sir knight, now swim or sink-a!'
22 Oer head and ears he plunged in;
The bottom faire he sounded;
Then rising up he cried amain,
Help, helpe, or else I'm drowned!
23 'Now fare you well, sir knight, adieu!
You see what comes of fooling;
That is the fittest place for you;
Your courage wanted cooling.'