PART III.

This knight had a son both comely and tall, Who often-times used to be at a ball, 70 A mile out of town, and one evening-tide, To see a fine dancing away he did ride.

Catskin said to his mother, "Madam, let me Go after your son, this ball for to see." With that, in a passion this lady she grew, 75 And struck her with a ladle, and broke it in two.

Being thus served, she then got away, And in her rich garments herself did array; Then to see this ball she then did retire, Where she danced so fine all did her admire. 80

The sport being done, this young squire did say, "Young lady, where do you live, tell me, I pray?" Her answer to him was, "Sir, that I will tell; At the sign of the Broken Ladle I dwell."

She being very nimble, got home first, 'tis said, 85 And with her catskin robes she soon was arrayed; Then into the kitchen again she did go, But where she had been none of them did know.

Next night the young 'squire, himself to content, To see the ball acted, away then he went. 90 She said, "Let me go this ball for to view;" She struck her with a skimmer, and broke it in two.

Then out of doors she ran, being full of heaviness, And with her rich garments herself she did dress; For to see this ball she ran away with speed, 95 And to see her dancing all wonder'd indeed.

The ball being ended, the 'squire said then, "Pray where do you live?" She answered again,[L98] "Sir, because you ask me, account I will give; At the sign of the Broken Skimmer I live." 100

Being dark, she left him, and home[ward] did hie, And in her catskin robes she was drest presently, And into the kitchen among them she went, But where she had been they were all innocent.

[When] the 'squire came home and found Catskin there, 105 He was in amaze, and began for to swear, "For two nights at the ball has been a lady, The sweetest of beauties that e'er I did see.

"She was the best dancer in all the whole place, And very much like our Catskin in the face; 110 Had she not been drest in that costly degree, I would have sworn it was Catskin's body."

Next night he went to see this ball once more; Then she ask'd his mother to go as before; Who having a bason of water in hand, 115 She threw it at Catskin, as I understand.

Shaking her wet ears, out of doors she did run, And dressed herself when this thing she had done; To see this ball acted she then run her ways, To see her fine dancing all gave her the praise. 120

And having concluded, the young squire he Said, "From whence do you come, pray now tell me?" Her answer was, "Sir, you shall know the same, From the sign of the Bason of Water I came."

Then homeward she hurried, as fast as might be. 125 This young 'squire then was resolved to see Whereto she belong'd, then follow'd Catskin: Into an old straw-house he saw her creep in.

He said, "O brave Catskin, I find it is thee, Who these three nights together has so charmed me; 130 Thou'rt the sweetest creature my eyes e'er beheld; With joy and comfort my heart it is fill'd.

"Thou art the cook's scullion, but as I have life, Grant me [but] thy love, and I'll make thee my wife, And you shall have maids to wait at your call." 135 "Sir, that cannot be; I've no portion at all."

"Thy beauty is portion, my joy and my dear; I prize it far better than thousands a year; And to gain my friends' consent, I've got a trick; I'll go to my bed and feign myself sick. 140

"There's none shall attend me but thee, I profess,[L141] And some day or other in thy richest dress Thou shalt be drest; if my parents come nigh, I'll tell them that for thee sick I do lie."