Page:Wandering young gentlewoman, or, The cat-skins' garland (1).pdf/3



But now good people the cream of the jest,

In what sort of manner this lady was drest.

With Cat-skins she made, for a robe I declare,

The which for a covering she daily did wear.

HorHer [sic] new rich attir’d with jewels beside,

Then up in a bundle by her then were ty’d,

Now to seek her fortune she wander’d away,

And when she had travell’d a whole winter day.

In the evening-tide she came to a town,

When at the Knight’s door she sat herself down,

For to rest herself, who was tir’d to be sure,;

This noble Knight’s Lady she came to the door.

And seeing this creature in such sort of dress,

The lady unto her these words did express:

From whence cam’st thou and what will you have,

She cry’d a night‘s lodgings in your stable I crave

The Lady said to her, I’ll grant thy desire,

Come into the kitchen, and stand by the fire;

Then she thanked the Lady and went in with haste

Where she was gaz’d on from biggest to least.

And being well warmed, her hunger being great

They gave her a dish of good meat for to eat;

And then to an out-house this creature was led,

Where she with fresh straw then made her a bed,

And then in the morning that day-light she saw

Her rich robes and jewels she hid in the straw,

And being very cold, she then did retire,

To go to the kitchen, and stand by the fire.

The cook said,my Lady, hath promis’d that thou

Shall be as a scullion to wait on me now;

What sayest thou girl? art thou willing to bide?

With all my heart, truly, to him she reply’d.