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THE BEGGAR-MAN
Then slow did follow the fair young bride,
Strew roses for her feet!
Her own true lover was by her side,
And Of but youth is sweet!
And the little page with laughter gay,
From whose smooth chin with a great display
There hung the beggar-man's beard of grey.
Woe that time is fleet!
But loitering last came knight and dame,
So ends this holiday.
To whisper oft their grief and shame,
Much did they find to say,
How she bade a Prince come forth to woo,
And then his fond heart broke in two;
This was no thing for a maid to do,
All on the King's highway!
