Page:Patient countess.pdf/3

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Mean while in russet neatly clad,
With linen white as swan,
Herself more white save rosy were,
The ruddy colour ran.

Whom naked nature nor the aids.
Of art made to excell;
The good mans daughter stirs to see,
That all were feat and well;
The earl did mark her and admire
Such beauty there to dwell.

Yet falls he to their homely fare,
And held him at a feast;
But as his hunger flaked so
An amorous heat increas’d.
When this repast was past and thanks,
And welcome too he said,
Unto his host and hostess in
The hearing of the maid.—

Ye know (quoth he) that I am Lord,
Of this and many towns;
I also know that you are poor,
And I can spare some pounds.
So will I so ye will consent,
That yonder lass and I
May bargain for her love at least,
Do give me leave to try,
Who needs to know it! nay who dares,
Into my doings pry.