Page:Wandering young gentlewoman, or, The cat-skins' garland (2).pdf/7

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At length on a time, poor Cat-skins, ’tis said,
In her rich attire she was array’d;
And when that his mother the chamber drew near,
Then much like a goddess Cat-skins did appear,

Which caus’d her to startle, and thus for to say,
What young lady is this, son, tell me, I pray;
He said, why, ’tis Cat-skins, for whom sick I lie,
And without I have her, with speed I shall die.

His mother ran down then to tell the old knight,
Who ran up to see this amazing great sight;
He said, why, ’tis Cat-skins we hold in such scorn,
I ne’er saw a finer dame since I was born.

The old knight said to her, I pray thee, tell me,
From whence dost thou come, and of what family;
Then who were her parents she gave him to know,
And what was the cause of her wandering so.

The squire cry’d, if you will save my life,
Pray, grant this young creature she may be my wife;
His father reply’d, thy life for to save,
If you are agreed, my consent you shall have.

Next day with great triumph and joy, as we hear,
There was many coaches both from far and near;
Then much like a goddess dress’d in rich array,
Cat-skins to the squire was married that day.

For several days this great wedding did last,
Where were many a topping and gallant rich guest;
And for joy the bells rang over the town,
And bottles of canary roll’d merrily down.

When Cat-skin was married, her fame for to raise,
To see her modest carriage all gave her great praise;
Thus her charming beauty the squire did win,
And who lives so great as he and Cat-skin?