"In secret she nursed him, and swag-ed his pain,
While he through the realm was believed to be slain:
At length his fair bride she consented to be,
And made him glad father of pretty Bessee.
"And now, lest our foes our lives should betray,
We cloth-ed ourselves in beggar's array;
Her jewels she sold, and hither came we:
All our comfort and care was our pretty Bessee.
"And here have we liv-ed in fortune's despite,
Though poor, yet contented with humble delight:
Full forty winters thus have I been
A silly blind beggar of Bethnal Green.
"And here noble lord-es, is ended the song
Of one that once to your own rank did belong:
And thus have you learn-ed a secret from me,
That ne'er had been known but for pretty Bessee."
Now when the fair company every one,
Had heard the strange tale in the song he had shown,
They all were amaz-ed, as well they might be,
Both at the blind beggar, and pretty Bessee.
With that the fair bride they all did embrace,
Saying, "Sure thou art come of an honourable race,
Thy father likewise is of noble degree,
And thou art well worthy a lady to be.
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