Page:Wandering young gentlewoman, or, The cat-skins' garland (5).pdf/8



Now, 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 bereft,

And now all alone the old squire is left.

And hearing his daughter was married so brave,

TIe 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 cried, noble lady, a poor man I be,

And I am now fore'd to crave your charity.

With a blush she ask’d him from whence lie came,

With that he then told her, and gave her his name:

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

Nevertheless to you some kindness I'll show.

Through mercy the Lord hath provided for me,

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

Then the best provisions the houso could afford,

For to make him welcomo were 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 he made this reply,

I only am come thy love for to try.

Through 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 liis land;

He ten thousand pounds to his daughter did give,

And then altogether in love they did live.