A merchant of London, whose wealth was not small,
He was the third suitor, and proper withal:
Her master’s own son the fourth man must be,
Who swore he would die for pretty Bessee.
XIII
‘And, if thou wilt marry with me,’ quoth the knight,
‘I’ll make thee a lady with joy and delight;
My heart so enthrallèd is by thy beautìe,
That soon I shall die for pretty Bessee.’
XIV
The gentleman said, ‘Come, marry with me,
As fine as a lady my Bessy shall be:
My life is distressèd: O hear me,’ quoth he;
‘And grant me thy love, my pretty Bessee.’—
XV
‘Let me be thy husband,’ the merchant did say,
‘Thou shalt live in London both gallant and gay;
My ships shall bring home rich jewels for thee,
And I will for ever love pretty Bessee.’
XVI
Then Bessy she sighed, and thus she did say,
‘My father and mother I mean to obey;
First get their good will, and be faithful to me,
And then you shall marry your pretty Bessee.’