She had not been there a month to an end,
But master and mistress and all was her friend:
And every brave gallant, that once did her see,
Was straightway enamour’d of pretty Bessee.
VIII
Great gifts they did send her of silver and gold,
And in their songs daily her love was extoll’d;
Her beauty was blazèd in every degree;
So fair and so comely was pretty Bessee.
IX
The young men of Rumford in her had their joy;
She showed herself courteous, and modestly coy;
And at her commandèment still would they be;
So fair and so comely was pretty Bessee.
X
Four suitors at once unto her did go;
They cravèd her favour, but still she said ‘no;
I would not wish gentles to marry with me.’—
Yet ever they honoured pretty Bessee.
XI
The first of them was a gallant young knight,
And he came unto her disguised in the night:
The second a gentleman of good degree,
Who wooèd and suèd for pretty Bessee.