Page:Fisherman's garland, or, The cruel knight (2).pdf/7

 O let me but know how I did thee offend,

And I'll study each day for to make you amends.

O spare but my life and I'll wander the earth,

And never come near you while that I have breath,

He hearing the pitiful moan she did make

Then from his finger a ring he did take;

He spoke to the maiden and thus to her did say,

The ring in the water I'll now throw away,

Pray look on it well for she spoke in plane,

That when once you see it you may know it again.

I charge you for it never come in my sight,

For if that yon so I will owe you a spite,

Unless that you bring the fame ring unto me,

With that he let the ring drop into the sea,

Than from the young woman away he did go,

And left her to wander in sorrow and woe;

She travell'd till night and at last did espy,

A homely poor cottage and asked relief

Being hungry and cold with a heart full of grief,

She went to the cottage and aked relief,

The people believed as I do hear say

And got her to service the very next day,

In a gentlemen's house not far from the place,

Where she did behave herself with a modest grace,

She was a cook maid and forgot all things past,

But here a strange story now comes out at last.

As she a rich dinner was dressing one day

And opening the head the head of a cod as they say,

She found a rich ring and was struck with amaze,

And then she with wonder upon it did gaze.

She knew it well and found it to be,

The very same ring that he threw in the sea;

She smiled when she saw it and blest her kind fate

But she did to so reassure the secret relate,

The Maid in her service did all others excel,

Her lady took notice, and liked her so well