Page:Wandering young gentlewoman, or, The cat-skins' garland (1).pdf/8



in the fifth part I’ll endeavour to show,

How things with her Parents and Sister did go.

Her Mother and Sister, of life are bereaft,

And now all alone the old Squire is left

And hearing his daughter was marry’d so brave,

He said, in my noddle, a fancy I have,

Dress’d like a poor man, a journey I’ll make,

And see if she on me some pity will take.

Then dress’d like a beggar, he went to her gate

Where stood his Daughter who appear’d very great

He cry‘d, Noble Lady, a poor man I be,

And I am now forced to crave your charity.

With a blush she asked him from wheucewhence [sic] he came

With that he then told her, and give her his name

She said, I’m your Daughter, that you slighted so

Nevertheless to you some kindness I‘ll show.

Thro‘ mercy the Lord hath provided for me.

Pray Father then come in, and sit down, said she;

Then the best provision the house could afford,

For to make him welcome was set on the board.

She said, You are welcome, feed heartily I pray

And if you are willing, with me you shall stay,

So long as you live; then lie made this reply,

I only am come thy love for to try.

Thro‘ mercy, my child, I‘m rich and not poor,

I have gold and silver enough now in store.

And for the love which at thy hand I have found,

For a portion I’ll give thee ten thousand pound

So in a few days after as I understand,

This man he went home and sold off all his land

And ten thousand pounds to his Daughter did give

And then altogether in love they did live.