XLVII
‘A poor beggar’s daughter did dwell on a green,
Who for her fairness might well be a queen:
A blithe bonny lass, and a dainty was she,
And many one callèd her pretty Bessee.
XLVIII
‘Her father he had no goods, nor no land,
But begg’d for a penny all day with his hand;
And yet to her marriage he gave thousands three,
And still he hath somewhat for pretty Bessee.
XLIX
‘And if any one here her birth do disdain,
Her father is ready, with might and with main,
To prove she is come of noble degree:
Therefore never flout at pretty Bessee.’
L
With that the lords and the company round
With hearty laughter were ready to swound;
At last said the lords, ‘Full well we may see,
The bride and the beggar’s beholden to thee.’
LI
On this the bride all blushing did rise,
The pearly drops standing within her fair eyes,
‘O pardon my father, grave nobles,’ quoth she,
‘That through blind affection thus doteth on me.’