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I never asked one till now,
Therefore, good lord, grant me;
Now ask it, madam, said the king,
And granted it shall be.
Then, good lord, I do you beseech,
These yeomen grant to me;
Madam you might have ask’d a boon,
That might have been worth all three,
Ye should have ask’d towers and towns,
Parks and forests plenty;
None pleasant for me to pay, she said,
Nor none so leaf to me,
Madam, sith it is your desire,
Your asking granted be;
But I had rather given you,
Good market-towns e'en three;
The queen was then a glad woman,
And said, lord, grant mercy;
I dare undertake for them all,
That true men they shall be.
But, good lord, speak some mercy word,
That these may comfort see;
I grant you grace then said the king,
Wash, and to meat go ye,
They had not sitten but a while,
Certain without leasing,
There came 2 messengers from the north
With letters to the king.
When they came to his majesty before,
They kneel'd upon their knee;
