Page:History of the blind beggar of Bethnal-Green.pdf/15

 who ſhould get thither firſt, but whither to go they knew not, therefore deſired to be informed, every one's heart being filled with joy, not doubting to carry the prize; when thus ſhe began:

"My parents, worthy ſirs, live on Bethnal-green; my father is left with a dog and a bell, living upon the charity of good people, and my mother, a poor woman that ſpins for bread. Thus I have declared to you my parents, and though I might have the richeſt perſon in the world for a huſband, yet I would not marry him without their conſents, which I think myſelf bound in duty to obtain."

Moſt of her ſuiters ſeemed thunderſtruck at this plain declaration, every one, except the knight, deſpiſing her, now as much as they ſeemed to love her before, each of them ſwearing they would not undervalue themſelves to marry a beggar's child. But the knight was more inflamed than ever, and having a large eſtate, did not regard intereſt or a portion ſo much as he did the pleaſing of his fancy with a beautiful, modeſt, young, and virtuous maid, all which centered in pretty Betty.