‘Or wilt thou be my chamberlain,
To make my bed both soft and fine?
Or wilt thou be one of my guard?
And I will give thee thy reward.’
XIV
Sweet William, with a smiling face,
Said to the King, ‘If’t please your Grace
To show such favour unto me,
Your chamberlain I fain would be.’
XV
The King then did the nobles call,
To ask the counsel of them all;
Who gave consent Sweet William he
The King’s own chamberlain should be.
XVI
Now mark what strange thing came to pass:
As the King one day a-hunting was,
With all his lords and noble train,
Sweet William did at home remain.
XVII
Sweet William had no company then
With him at home, but an old man:
And when he saw the house was clear,
He took a lute which he had there: