Page:History of the life and death of fair Rosamond.pdf/17

( 13 ) to have her out of their hands, and thereupon ſent for her uncle, and commanding him to go to Cornwall, and uſe is beſt endeavours to bring fair Roſamond to court.

Her uncle ſeemed at firſt a little ſtartled at this command, but was loth the King ſhould think he was unwilling to obey, which might incur his diſpleaſure, and run the riſque of having thoſe great places he held under the King taken from him; for the ſake of which he undertook the ungrateful ſervice which the king impoſed upon him.

Having received the Kings commands, away he goes for Cornwal, where finding, his neice, pretended great kindneſs to her, and how glad he was to find her there. After ſome jocoſe diſcourſe together, he aſked her if the would up with him to court for he was ſure the King would make her welcome; the readily accepted of the offers, and therefore, without any more ado, he provided a very noble chariot for her journey and ſo attended with her governeſs, and put her in private lodgings which were appointed by the king for her reception.

Her uncle having acquainted the king that ſhe was a court, and he had diſpoſed of her, he came that very night to pay her a viſit; and Roſamond knowing it was the King, kneeled down upon her knees, but he ran and took her up with this exord um.

O faireſt of creatures under heaven I kneel not to me, for thy excellent beauty commands all knees and hearts to bow to thee: then kiſſing r as if he would have ſucked away her breath,