The Duke of Gueldres’ Wedding
(1405)
The Oueen and all her waiting maids
Are playing at the ball;
Mary Harcourt, the King's cousin,
Is fairest of them all.
The Queen and all her waiting maids
Are out on Paris green;
Mary Harcourt, the King's cousin,
Is fairer than the Queen.
The King sits in his council room,
The grey lords at his side.
And thro' the open window pane
He sees the game outside.
The King sits in the Council-room,
The young lords at his feet;
And through the pane he sees the ball,
And the ladies young and fleet.
"O bonny Mary Harcourt
Is seventeen to-day;
'Tis time a lover courted her,
And carried her away.
"Where shall I give my own cousin?
Where shall I give my kin?
And who shall be the peer of France
Her slender hand to win?"
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