Page:Life & transactions of Mrs. Jane Shore, concubine to King Edward IV.pdf/4

 King Edward, he took her for his concubine, as will appear in the close of this history. But the maid he had bribed with gold to get her abroad; repenting of such treachery to her master, gave timely notice, and so prevented it.

Her father perceiving that, unless he took some speedy course, her great stock of beauty would soon be her ruin, resolved to have her married, so that having surrendered her virginity, and being in the arms of a husband, those that sought to crop her virgin rose would not regard her, but give over the pursuit.

She had many suitors, and among those that earnestly sought her in the way of marriage, was one Matthew Shore, a rich goldsmith in Lombard-street, whom her father pitched upon as a husband, and acquainted his fair daughter with his intention to marry her to him, but she appeared very averse to it, alledging sometimes disproportion of years, he being above