3
PART II.
But now good people the cream of the jest,
In what sort of manner this lady was drest.
With Cat-kins she made, for a robe I declare,
The which for a covering she daily did wear.
Her new rich attire, with jewels beside,
They up in a bundle by her then were ty’d,
Now to seek her fortune she wander’d away,
And when she had travell’d a whole winter day,
In the evening-tide she came to a town,
When at a knight’s door she sat herself down
For to rest, she was very tir’d to be sure,
This noble knight’s lady she came to the door.
And seeing this creature in such sort of dress,
The lady unto her these words did express;
From whence cam'st thou, and what will you have,
She cry’d a night’s lodgings in your stable I crave.
The lady said to her, I’ll grant thy desire,
Come into the kitchen, and stand by the fire;
Then she thank’d the lady, and went in with haste,
Where she was gaz’d on from biggest to least.
And being well warmed, her hunger being great,
They gave her a dish of good meat for to eat;
And then to an out-house this creature was led,
Where she with fresh straw then made her a bed.
And when in the morning the day-light she saw,
Her rich robes and jewels she hid in the straw;
And being very cold, she then did retire,
To go to the kitchen, and stand by the fire.
The cook said, my lady hath promis’d that thou
Shall be as a scullion to wait on me now;
What sayest thou, girl? art thou willing to bide?
With all my heart, truly, to him sho reply’d.
