4
Which made him to colour and this he did say,
Who flow'red that garment? now tell me, I pray.
If it please your Grace, my last voyage was to Turkey,
Where I saw a creature that strangled must be.
And to save her life gave an hundred pound,
And carried her with me to fair London town;
There she’s my house keeper, while I’m in this land,
And when of my coming she did understand,
She flow’red this robe, and gave strict charge to me,
To let it be seen by your great Majesty.
The Prince cried. Behold friend this robe which I wear,
Is of the same flower and spot I do swear!
Thy maid wrought them both, she’s my daughter dear,
I have not heard from her till now these three years.
To pay a visit to some neighbouring Prince,
I sent her In a ship, and have ne’er seen her since;
And I was afraid the sea had prov’d her grave,
But I heard to Turkey she was taken a slave.
For the loss of my child who I thought had been kill’d,
A well full of tears in my court has been spill'd;
My Princess, her mother, could for her not rest;
Her loss drew millions of sighs from her breast.
Thy ship shall be richly loaded with speed,
And I'll send a ship for her convey indeed;
Because of thy love; thou sav’d my child’s life,
Bring her to alive to me, I’ll make her thy wife.
And if thou should’st not live to bring her to me,
Whoe’er brings her house, his bride she shall be,
And twenty thousand a year you shall have,
That ventur’d my dear child’s life for o save.
The ship being loaded, their anchor was weighing,
And he with his convoy came over the main,
To fair London city, and home he did go,
And gave this young Princess these tidings to know.
