Page:Wandering young gentlewoman, or, The cat-skins' garland (3).pdf/8

8

PART V.

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 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 forc’d to crave your charity.

With a blush she ask’d him from whence he came
With that he then told her, and give her his name
She said, I’m your Daughter, that you slighted
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 he 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.