An Excellent BALLAD
OF A
Noble Marquess and Patient Grissel.
To the Tune of, The Brides Good-morrow, etc.
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A Noble Marquess,
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As he did ride a Hunting,
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hard by a Forrest side,
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A Fair and comely Maiden,
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As she did sit a Spinning,
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his gentle Eye espyd:
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Most fair and lovely
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And of comely grace was she,
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although in simple attire,
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She sung full sweetly,
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With pleasant Voice melodiously,
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which set the Lords heart on fire.
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The more he lookt, the more he might,
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Beauty bred his Hearts delight:
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And to his Damsel
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then he went with speed,
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God speed, quod he, thou famous Flower,
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Fair Mistress of this homely Bower,
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Where Love and Vertue
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dwells with sweet content.
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With comely Gesture
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And modest mild Behaviour,
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she bids him welcome then,
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She entertained him
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In faithful friendly manner,
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and all his Gentlemen:
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The Noble Marquess
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In his Heart felt such a flame,
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which set his Senses all at strife,
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Quoth he, Fair Maiden,
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Shew me soon what is thy Name,
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I mean to make thee my Wife.
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Grissel is my Name, quoth she,
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Far unfit for your degree,
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A silly Maiden,
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and of Parents poor.
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Nay, Grissel thou art rich, he said,
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A vertuous fair and comely Maid;
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Grant me thy love,
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and I will ask no more.
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At length she consented,
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And being both contented,
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they married were with speed;
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Her Country russet
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Was changd to Silk and Velvet,
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as to her state agreed:
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And when that she
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Was timely tried in the same,
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her Beauty shind most bright,
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Far staining every other
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Fair and Princely Dame,
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that did appear in sight:
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Many envied her therefore,
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Because she was of Parents poor,
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And twixt her Lord and she
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great strife did raise:
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Some said this, and some said that,
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And some did call her Beggers Brat,
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And to her Lord
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they would her oft dispraise.
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O Noble Marquess,
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Quoth they, why dost thou wrong us,
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thus basely for to wed,
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Who might have gotten
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An honourable Lady
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into your Princely Bed?
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Who will not now
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Your noble Issue soon deride,
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which shall hereafter be born,
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That are of Blood so base
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Born by the Mothers side?
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the which shall bring them in score
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Put her therefore quite away,
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And take to you a Lady gay,
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Whereby your Lineage
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may renowned be.
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Thus every day they seemd to prate,
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That malicd Grissels good Estate;
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Who all this while
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took it most patiently.
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