Part 28

Then spake the blind beggar, "Although I be poor, Yet rail not against my child at my own door: Though she be not deck-ed in velvet and pearl, Yet will I drop angels with you for my girl.

"And then, if my gold may better her birth, And equal the gold that you lay on the earth, Then neither rail nor grudge you to see The blind beggar's daughter a lady to be.

"But first you shall promise, and have it well known, The gold that you drop shall all be your own." With that they repli-ed, "Contented be we." "Then here's," quoth the beggar, "for pretty Bessee!"

And with that an angel he cast on the ground, And dropp-ed in angels full three thousand pound; And oftentimes it was prov-ed most plain, For the gentlemen's one the beggar dropped twain:

So that the place, wherein they did sit, With gold it was cover-ed every whit. The gentlemen then having dropt all their store, Said, "Now, beggar, hold; for we have no more.

"Thou hast fulfill-ed thy promise 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, Admir-ed the beggar of Bethnal Green: And all those, that were her suitors before, Their flesh for very anger they tore.

Thus the fair Bess was matched to the knight, And then made a lady in others' 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 FITT shall set forth to your sight With marvellous pleasure, and wish-ed delight.

THE SECOND FYTTE.

Of a blind beggar's daughter most bright, That late was betroth-ed unto a young knight; All the discourse thereof you did see; But now comes the wedding of pretty Bessee.

Within a gorgeous palace most brave, Adorn-ed with all the cost they could have, This wedding was kept most sumptuousl-ie, And all for the credit of pretty Bessee.

All kind of dainties, and delicates sweet Were bought for the banquet, as it was most meet; Partridge, and plover, and venison most free, Against the brave wedding of pretty Bessee.

This marriage through England was spread by report, So that a great number thereto did resort Of nobles and gentles in every degree; And all for the fame of pretty Bessee.

To church then went this gallant young knight, His bride followed after, an angel most bright, With gay troops of ladies, the like ne'er was seen As went with sweet Bessy of Bethnal Green.

This marriage being sol-emniz-ed then, With music performed by the skilfullest men, The nobles and gentles sate 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 have we, This jolly blind beggar we cannot here see." "My lords," quoth the bride, "my father's so base, He is loth with his presence these states to disgrace."

"The praise of a woman in question to bring Before her own face, were a flattering thing; But we think thy father's baseness," quoth 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 touch-ed the strings, which made such a charm, Says, "Please you to hear any music of me, I'll sing you a song of pretty Bessee."

With that his lute he twang-ed straightway, And thereon began most sweetly to play; And after that lessons were played two or three, He strained out this song most delicatel-ie.

"A poor beggar's daughter did dwell on a green, Who for her fairness might well be a queen: A blithe bonny lass, and a dainty was she, And many one call-ed her pretty Bessee.

"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 Bessee.

"And if any one here her birth do disdain, Her father is ready, with might and with main, To prove she is come of a noble degree, Therefore never flout at pretty Bessee."

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 fair eyes. "O pardon my father, grave nobles," quoth she, "That through blind affection thus doteth on me."

"If this be thy father," the nobles did say, "Well may he be proud of this happy day; Yet by his countenance well may we see, His birth and his fortune did never agree: