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THE FISHERMAN’S GARLAND.
PART I.
IN famous York city, a farmer did dwell,
Who was beloved of all his neighbours full well.
He had a good wife that was virtuous and fair,
And by her be had a child every year.
In seven years time, six children they had,
Which wade both the father and mothers heart glad
Bat in a little time as I can hear say,
The Farmer in wealth and in flock did decay,
Although that once and he had riches great store,
In a little time after he quickly grew poor;
He strove all t»« could, but alas! could not thrive,
He hardly could keep his poor children alive.
For children came faster than silver or gold,
His wife she conceived again again as I’m told,
A»d when her time came on to hard labour she fell,
Now if you’ll mind a strange wonder I'll tell.
A noble rich Knight did chance to ride by.
And hearing this woman shrieking to cry.
He being well learned in plannets and sighs,
Locked on a book that’d perplexed his mind.
The more he looked on it the more he did read,
And found that fare the young child had decreed,
That was born in that house the same hour and tide,
He found it was he that most needs be his bride.
But judge how the knight was perplexed in mind.
When in that book his own lirtuae did find.
Then homeward he rode, being sorely opprest.
From that very moment he would not take rest,
All night he did tumble and toss in his bed,
And a very strange project did run his head
Resolved be was very quickly indeed,
To alter the fortune the found was decree'd.
