VI
Who asked of him, ‘Where wert thou born?
Or tell to me, where dost thou fare?’—
‘I am a poore fisherman,’ saith he then,
‘This day intrappèd all in care.’
VII
‘What is thy name, thou fine fellòw?
I pray thee heartily tell to me’;
‘In mine own country where I was born,
Men called me Simon over the Lee.’
VIII
‘Simon, Simon,’ said the good wife,
‘I wish thou maist well brook[1018] thy name’;
The outlaw was ware of her courtesie,
And rejoyc’d he had got such a dame.
IX
‘Simon, wilt thou be my man?
And good round wages I’le give thee;
I have as good a ship of mine owne
As any sayle upon the sea.
X
‘Anchors and planks thou shalt want none,
Masts and ropes that are so long’—
‘And if that you thus furnish me,’
Said Simon, ‘nothing shall goe wrong.’