But first you shall promise, and have it well known,

The gold that you drop shall all be your own.

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With that they replied, Contented

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be we."

Then here's," quoth the beggar, “for pretty Bessie."

With that a gold angel he cast on the ground,

And dropped in angels full three thousand pound;

And oftentimes it was provèd most plain,

For the gentleman's one the beggar dropped twain:

So that the place whereon they did sit, With gold it was coverèd every whit; The gentlemen then, having dropped all their store,

Said, "Now, beggar, hold, for we have

no more.

Well hast thou fulfilled thy promise

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aright."

Then marry," quoth he, “my girl to this knight.

And here," added he, "I will now throw you down

A hundred pounds more to buy her a gown."

The gentlemen all, that this treasure had seen,

Admired the beggar of Bethnal Green; And all those that were her suitors before,

Their flesh for very anger they tore.

Thus was fair Bessie matched to the knight,

And then made a lady in other's despite :

A fairer lady there never was seen Than the blind beggar's daughter of Bethnal Green.

But of their sumptuous marriage and feast,

What brave lords and knights thither were prest,

The second fit shall set forth to your sight,

With marvellous pleasure and wishèd delight.

The discourse thereof you lately did

see,

But now comes the wedding of pretty Bessie.

Within a gorgeous palace most brave, Adorned with all the costs they could have,

This wedding was kept most sumptuously,

And all for the credit of pretty Bessie.

All kinds of dainties and delicates sweet

Were brought to the banquet, as it was most meet;

Partridge and plover, and venison

most free,

[Bessie. Against the brave wedding of pretty

This wedding through England was spread by report,

So that a great number thereto did resort,