He came to the maid when she went to bed,

Desiring to have her maidenhead,

But she denyëd his desire,

And told him that she feard hell-fire.

3

‘Tush,’ quoth the fryer, ‘thou needst not doubt

If thou wert in hell I could sing thee out:’

‘Then,’ quoth the maid, ‘thou shalt have thy request;’

The fryer was glad as a fox in his nest.

4