But rescew came presently e over the plaine,

seene,

Admired the beggar of Bednall-greene:
And those that were her suitors before
Their fleshe for very anger they tore.

Thus was their Bessee matched to a knight,
And made a ladye in others despite:
A fairer ladye there never was seene,
Than the blind beggars daughter of Bed-
nall-greene.

And then if my gold will better her birthe, And equal the gold that you lay on the earth,

Then neyther rayle nor grudge you to see The blind beggars daughter a lady to bee.

Butt first I will heare, and have it well knowne,

The gold that you drop shall be all your owne.'

With that they replied, 'Contented wee bee.'

'Then here's,' quoth the beggar, 'for pretty Bessee.'

With that an angell he cast on the ground, And dropped in angels full three thousand pound:

And oftentimes itt was proved most plaine, For the gentlemans one the beggar dropt twayne:

What brave lords and knights thither were

prest.

The second fitt shall set forth to your sight With marveilous pleasure and wished delight.

FITT THE SECOND.

OFF a blind beggars daughter most fair and bright,

That late was betrothed unto a younge knight;

All the discourse thereof you may see;
But now comes the wedding of pretty
Bessee.

Within a gallant palace most brave, Adorned with all the cost they could have, This wedding was kept most sumptuouslie, And all for the love of pretty Besse

All kinds of dainties, and delicates sweete Were brought to their banquet, as it was thought meete;

Partridge, and plover, and venison most free,

Against the brave wedding of pretty Bessee.

This wedding thro' England was spread, by report,

So that a great number did thither resort, Of nobles and gentles in every degree; And all for the fame of pretty Bessee.

To church then went this gallant younge knight;

His bride followed after, a ladye most bright,

With troopes of lady es, the like nere was

seene

As went with swete Bessee of Bednall

greene.

This marryage being solemnized then, With musicke performed by the skilfullest

men,

The nobles and gentles sate down at that tyde,

Each one beholding the beautiful bryde.

But, after the sumptuous dinner was done, To talke, and to reason a number begunn:

They had noe sooner these pleasant words spoke,

But in comes the beggar cladd in a silke cloke :

A faire velvet capp, and a fether had hee And nowe a musicyan forsooth he would bee.

Hee had a daintye lute under his arme, Hee touched the strings, which made such a charme,

Sayd, 'Please you to heare any musicke of

mee,

A song I will sing you of pretty Bessee.'

With that his lute hee twanged straitway, And thereon begann most sweetlye to play; And after that lessons were playd two or three,

He strayned out this song most delicatelie.

'A poore beggars daughter did dwell on a greene,

Who for her bewtye might well bee a queene:

A blithe bonny lasse, and daintye was shee, And many one called her pretty Bessee.

'Her father hee had noe goods, nor noe lands,

But begged for a penny all day with his hands;

most bright,

sands three,

And still hee hath somewhat for pretty Bessee.

And if any one her birth doe disdaine, Her father is ready, with might and with maine,

To proove shee is come of a noble degree: Therefore let none floute att my prettye Bessee.'

With that the lords and companye round With hearty laughter were readye to swound:

Att last said the lords, 'Full well wee may

see,

The bride and the beggar's behoulden to thee.'