Of nobles and gentles in every degree, And all for the fame of pretty Bessie.

To church then went this gallant young knight, [bright, His bride followed after, a lady most With troops of fair ladies; the like [Green. As went with sweet Bessie of Bethnal

ne'er was seen,

This marriage being solemnized then, With music performed by the skilfulest men,

The nobles and gentles sat down at that tide,

Each one admiring the beautiful bride.

Now, after the sumptuous dinner was done,

To talk and to reason a number begun; They talked of the blind beggar's daughter most bright,

And what with his daughter he gave to the knight.

Then spake the nobles, " Much marvel

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have we

[see."

This jolly blind beggar we cannot here My lords," said the bride, “my father's so base,

He is loath with his presence these states to disgrace."

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The praise of a woman in question to bring,

Before her own face, were a flattering thing;

But we think thy father's baseness," said they,

"Might by thy beauty be clean put

away.

They had no sooner these pleasant words spoke,

But in comes the beggar clad in a silk cloak;

A fair velvet cap and a feather had he, And now a musician forsooth he would

be.

He had a dainty lute under his arm, He touched the strings, which made such a charm,

Said, "Please you to hear any music of me,

I'll sing you a song of pretty Bessie."

With that his lute he touched straight

way,

And thereon began most sweetly to play;

And after that lessons were played two or three,

He strained out this song most delicately :

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A poor beggar's daughter did dwell

on a green,

Who for her fairness might well be a queen;

A blithe, bonny lassie, and a dainty was she,

And many one called her Pretty Bessie.

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Her father he had no goods nor no land,

But begged for a penny all day with his hand;

And yet to her marriage he gave thousands three,

And still he hath somewhat for pretty Bessie.

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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 Bessie."

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."

On this the bride all blushing did rise, The pearly drops standing within her

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fair eyes:

Oh, pardon my father, brave nobles," said she,

That through blind affection thus doteth on me."

"If this be thy father," the nobles did

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say,

Well may he be proud of this happy day!

Yet by his countenance well may we

see,

[agree. His birth and his fortune did never

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And therefore, blind man, we pray

thee take care

(And look that the truth thou to us do declare),

Thy birth and thy parentage, what may it be,

For the love that thou bearest to pretty Bessie."