The young men of Rumford in her had their joy;
She showed herself courteous, and modestly coy,
And at her command-ement still would they be;
So fair and so comely was pretty Bessee.
Four suitors at once unto her did go;
They crav-ed her favour, but still she said no;
I would not wish gentles to marry with me;
Yet ever they honour-ed pretty Bessee.
The first of them was a gallant young knight,
And he came unto her disguised in the night:
The second a gentleman of good degree,
Who woo-ed and su-ed for pretty Bessee:
A merchant of London, whose wealth was not small,
He was the third suitor, and proper withal:
Her master's own son the fourth man must be,
Who swore he would die for pretty Bessee.
"And, if thou wilt marry with me," quoth the knight,
"I'll make thee a lady with joy and delight;
My heart's so inthrall-ed by thy beaut-ie,
That soon I shall die for pretty Bessee."
The gentleman said, "Come, marry with me,
As fine as a lady my Bessy shall be:
My life is distress-ed: O hear me," quoth he;
And grant me thy love, my pretty Bessee."
"Let me be thy husband," the merchant could say,
"Thou shalt live in London both gallant and gay;
My ships shall bring home rich jewels for thee,
And I will for ever love pretty Bessee.
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