PART II.

The fisherman he was one time at an inn, And several gentlemen drinking with him; The wife sent this girl to call the good man home; But when she did into the drinking room come,

The gentlemen all were amazed to see, The fisherman's daughter so full of beauty; They asked him, presently, if it was his own? Who told the whole story before he went home.

"As I was a fishing within my own bound, One Monday morning this sweet babe I found; 'Tis eleven years past since her life I did save, Or else she had lain in a watery grave."

The cruel knight was in this company; And hearing the fisherman tell the story, Was vexed at the heart for in seeing her alive; And how to destroy her again he did strive.

Then spoke to the goodman, and to him said, "If that you will part with this pretty young maid, I'll give you whatever your heart can device, For she in good time to great riches will rise."

The fisherman answered with modest grace, "I cannot, unless my dear wife was in place; Get first her consent, you shall have her for me, And then to go with you, good sir, she is free."

He got the wife's leave, and the girl with him went; But little they thought of his cruel intent: He kept her a month very bravely they say, And then he contrived to make her away.

For he had a brother in Lancashire, A noble rich man worth two thousand a year; He sent this young girl unto him with speed, In hopes he would act a most barbarous deed.

He sent a man with her, likewise they say; But as they did lodge at an inn by the way, A thief in the house, with an evil intent, To rob the port-mantua immediately went:

But the thief was amazed when he could not find No clothes, gold or silver, or ought to his mind: But only a letter, the which he did read, And put an end to this desperate deed.

The cruel knight wrote to his brother that day, To make the young innocent damsel away With sword or with poison, that very same night, And not let her live to the next morning light.

When the thief read the letter, he had so much grace, To tear it, and write in the very same place,-- Dear brother, receive the young maiden from me, And bring her up well as a lady should be.

Let her be esteemed, dear brother, I pray; Let servants attend her by night and by day; For she is a lady of noble great worth, A more noble lady ne'er lived in the north.

Let her have good learning, dear brother, I pray, And you for the same I'll sufficiently pay; So, loving brother, my letter I end, Subscribing myself your dear brother and friend.

The maid and the servant were both innocent, And onward their journey next morning they went; Before the sun set to the knight's they did come, Where the servant did leave her, and turned home.

The girl was attended most bravely indeed, With men and with maidens to serve her at need: Where she did continue whole twelvemonths' space, Till this cruel knight came to the place.

As he and his brother together did talk, He spy'd the fair maid in the garden to walk; She looked most beautiful, pleasant and gay, Like to fair Aurora, the goddess of May.

He was in a passion, when her he did 'spy, And said, very angry, "Brother, oh! why, Pray did you not do, as in the letter I wrote?" His brother reply'd, "It is done every bit."

"No, no, said the knight, it is not I see, Therefore she shall again go with me." But his brother did show him the letter that day; Then he was amazed, but nothing did say.