An

This popular old ballad was written in the reign of Eliza beth, as appears not only from ver. 23, where the arms of England are called the "Queenes armes ;,, but from its tune's being quoted in other old pieces, written in her time. See the ballad on MARY AMBREE in this volume. ingenious gentleman has affured the Editor, that he has formerly feen another old song on the Same Subject, compofed in a different measure from this; which was truly beautiful if we may judge from this only stanza be remembred: in this it was faid of the old beggar, that "down his neck

his reverend lockes

In comelye curles did wave;
And on his aged temples grewe
The bloffomes of the grave. *j

VOL. II.

I

The

The following ballad is chiefly given from the Editor's folio MS. compared with two ancient printed copies: the concluding stanzas, which contain the old Beggar's discovery of himself, are not however given from any of these, being very different from those of the vulgar ballad. They were communicated to the Editor in manufcript; but he will a answer for their being genuine be rather thinks them the modern production of fome perfon, who was offended at the abfurdities, and inconfiftencies, which so remarkably prevailed in this part of the fong, as it stood before: whereas by the alteration of a few lines, the story is rendered much mort affecting, and is reconciled to probability and true history. For this informs us, that at the decifive battle of Eveshamı, (fought Aug. 4. 1265.) when Simon de Montfort, the great earl of Leicester, was flain at the head of the barons, bis eldeft fon Henry fell by his fide, and in confequence of that defeat, his whole family funk for ever, the king beftowing their great honours and poffeffions on his fecond fon Edmund earl of Lancaster.

ITT was a blind beggar, had long loft his fight,

He had a faire daughter of bewty most bright;

And many a gallant brave fuiter had fhee,

For none was foe comelye as pretty Befsee.

And though fhee was of fayor moft faire,
Yett feeing fhee was but a blinde beggars heyre,
Of ancyent housekeepers defpifed was fhee,
Whofe fonnes came as fuitors to prettye Beffee.

Where

Wherefore in great forrow faire Befsy did fay,
Good father, and mother, let me goe away
To feeke out my fortune, whatever itt bee.
Her fuite then they granted to prettye Befsee.

Then Befsy, that was of bewtye soe bright,
All cladd in gray ruffett, and late in the night
From father and mother alone parted fhee;
Who fighed and fobbed for prettye Befsee.

Shee went till fhee came to Stratford - le - Bowe;
Then knew fhee not, whither nor which way to goe:
With teares fhee lamented her hard destinie,
So fadd and fo heavy was prettye Befsee.

She kept on her journey untill it was day,
And went unto Rumford along the hye way
Where at the Queenes armes entertained was fhee;
So faire and wel favoured was prettye Befsee.

20

Shee had not beene there a month to an end,
But mafter and miftres and all was her friend:
And every brave gallant, that once did her fee,
Was ftrait - way enamourd of prettye Befsee.

25

Great gifts they did fend her of filver and gold,
And in their fongs daylye her love was extold;
Her beawtye was blazed in every degree;
Soe faire and foe comlye was prettye Befsee.

The yong men of Rumford in her had their joy,
thee fhewd herfelfe curteous, and modeftlye coye;
And at her commandment ftill wold they bee;
Joe faire and fo comly was prettye Befsee.

39

35

Foure fuitors att once unto her did goe;

They craved her favor, but ftill fhee fayd noe:
I wold not wifh gentles to marry with mee.
Yett ever they honoured prettye Befsee.

The first of them was a gallant yong knight,
And he came unto her difguifde in the night:
The fecond a gentleman of good degree,

Who wooed and fued for prettye Bessee.

A merchant of London, whose wealth was not small, 4

He was the third fuiter, and proper withall:

Her mafters own fonne the fourth man muft bee,
Who fwore he wold dye for prettye Befsee.

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,
That foone I fhall dye for prettye Befree.

50

The gentleman fayd, Come, marry with,mee,
As fine as a ladye my Befsy fhal bee:
My life is diftreffed: O heare me, quoth hee;
And grant me thy love, my prettye Befsee.

55

Let me bee thy hufband, the merchant could fay,
Thou fhalt live in London both gallant and gay;

My fhippes fhall bring home rych jewels for thee,
And I will for ever love prettye Befsee.

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,
And you fhall enjoye your pretty Befsee.