163 ANCIENT POEMS. Evesham, (fought Aug. 4. 1265.) when Simon de Montfort, the great earl of Leicester, was flain at the head of the barons, his eldest fon Henry fell by his fide, and in conjequence of that defeat, his whole family Junk for ever, the king beftowing their great honours and poffeffions on his fecond fon Edmund earl of Lancaster. PART THE FIRST. . TT was a blind beggar, had long loft his fight, ITT He had a faire daughter of bewty moft bright; And many a gallant brave fuiter had shee, And though fhee was of favor most faire, e Wherefore in great forrow faire Bessy did say, Then Befsy, that was of bewtye foe bright, Who fighed and fobbed for prettye Befsee. Shee went till fhee came to Stratford-le-Bow Then knew fhee not whither, nor which way to goe: So fadd and fo heavy was pretty Befsee. M 2 15 20 She gh w/ She kept on her journey untill it was day, Shee had not beene there a month to an end, Л Great gifts they did on her of filver and gold, The yong Soe fatre and foe comelye was pretty Befsce. Foure fuitors att once unto her did goe; They craved her favor, but still shee fayd noe; The first of them was a gallant yong knight, 25 30 35 40 A mer 165 ANCIENT POEM S. A merchant of London, whose wealth was not small, 45 He was the third fuiter, and proper withall: Her masters own fonne the fourth man must bee, And, if thou wilt marry with mee, quoth the knight, Ile make thee a ladye with joy and delight; My hart's fo inthralled by thy bewtie, 50 The gentleman fayd, Come, marry with mee, My life is diftreffed: O heare me, quoth hee; 55 Let me bee thy husband, the merchant cold fay, 60 Then Beffy fhee fighed, and thus fhee did fay, My father and mother I meane to obey ; First gett their good will, and be faithfull to mee, To every one this anfwer fhee made, 65 |