"
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.
Pages:
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167