But soon after this, by break of the day The knight had from Rumford stole Bessy away. The young men of Rumford, as thick as might be, Rode after to fetch again pretty Bessee.
As swift as the wind to ryde they were seen, Until they came near unto Bednall-green; And as the knight lighted most courteouslìe, They all fought against him for pretty Bessee.
But rescue came speedily over the plain, Or else the young knight for his love had been slain. This fray being ended, then straightway he see His kinsmen come railing at pretty Bessee.
Then spake the blind beggar, Although I be poor, Yet rail not against my child at my own door: Though she be not decked in velvet and pearl, Yet will I drop angels with you for my girl.
And then, if my gold may better her birth, And equal the gold that you lay on the earth, Then neither rail nor grudge you to see The blind beggar's daughter a lady to be.
But first you shall promise, and have it well known, The gold that you drop shall all be your own. With that they replied, Contented be we. Then here's, quoth the beggar, for pretty Bessee.
With that an angel he cast on the ground, And dropped in angels full three thousand pound; And oftentimes it was proved most plain, For the gentlemen's one the beggar dropt twain:
So that the place, wherein they did sit, With gold it was covered every whit. The gentlemen then having dropt all their store, Said, Now, beggar, hold, for we have no more,
Thou hast fulfilled thy promise aright. Then marry, quoth he, my girl to this knight; And here, added he, I will now throw you down A hundred pounds more to buy her a gown.
The gentlemen all, that this treasure had seen, Admired the beggar of Bednall-green: And all those, that were her suitors before, Their flesh for very anger they tore.
Thus was fair Bessy matched to the knight, And then made a lady in others' despite: A fairer lady there never was seen, Than the blind beggar's daughter of Bednall-green.
But of their sumptuous marriage and feast, What brave lords and knights thither were prest, The second fitt shall set forth to your sight With marvellous pleasure and wished delight.
Of a blind beggar's daughter most bright, That late was betrothed unto a young knight; All the discourse thereof you did see: But now comes the wedding of pretty Bessee.