‘With thee to thy father forthwith I will go.’—
‘Nay soft,’ quoth his kinsmen, ‘it must not be so;
A poor beggar’s daughter no lady shall be,
Then take thy adieu of pretty Bessee.’
XXIII
But soon after this, by break of the day
The Knight had from Rumford stole Bessy away.
The young men of Rumford, as thick as might be,
Rode after to fetch again pretty Bessee.
XXIV
As swift as the wind to ryde they were seen,
Until they came near unto Bednall-green;
And as the Knight lighted most courteouslìe,
They all fought against him for pretty Bessee.
XXV
But rescue came speedily over the plain,
Or else the young Knight for his love had been slain.
This fray being ended, then straightway he see
His kinsmen come railing at pretty Bessee.
XXVI
Then spake the blind beggar, ‘Although I be poor,
Yet rail not against my child at my own door:
Though she be not deckèd in velvet and pearl,
Yet will I drop angels with you for my girl.