“It is that all the town is glad,
And keeping holiday,
Because unto this palace high
Bard Merlin comes to-day;
“And by his side an aged dame
In robe of white wool fair:
The royal son-in-law, behind,
Follows the ancient pair.”
This heard the king, and ran to see:
“Haste thee, good crier arise!
Rise from thy bed: make speed: proclaim
The feast in gallant wise.
“Make proclamation through the land,
And summon great and small
Alike, to keep the marriage feast,
And make high festival.
“Come all who will, come high and low:
The daughter of the king
Affianced eight days hence will be
With the betrothal ring.