The Wandering Young Gentlewoman;
Or, CATSKIN.
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YOU fathers and mothers, and children also,
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Draw near unto me, and soon you shall know
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The sense of my ditty, and I dare to say,
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The like han't been printed thi[s] many a day.
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The subject which to you I am to relate,
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It is of a Squire of a vast estate:
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The first dear infant his wife did him bear.
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It was a young daughter of beauty most fair.
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He said to his wife, had this child been a boy,
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Twould have pleased me better, and increased my joy.
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If the next be the same sort, I do declare,
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Of what I am possessed she shall have no share.
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In twelve months time after this woman, we hear,
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Had another daughter of beauty most clear;
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And when that he knew it was a female,
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In a bitter passion he presently fell.
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Saying, since this is of the same sort as the first,
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In my habitation she shall not be nurs'd;
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Pray let her be sent into the Country,
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For where I am truly this child shall not be.
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With tears his dear wife unto him did say,
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Husband, be contented, I'll send her away.
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Then to the Country with speed she was sent,
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For to be brought up by one who was her friend.
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Altho' that her father he hated her so,
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She good education on her did bestow;
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And with a gold locket and robes of the best,
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This slighted young female was commonly drest.
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And when unto stature this damsel was grown,
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And found from him she had no love shewn;
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She cry'd, Before I will lie under his frown,
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I am fully resolved to range the world round:
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The Second Part.
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But now mark, good people, the cream of the jest,
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In what sort of manner this creature was drest:
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With catskins she made her a robe I declare,
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The which for her covering she daily did wear.
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Her own rich attire, and jewels beside,
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Them up in a bundle by her they were ty'd:
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Then to seek her fortune she wander'd away.
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And when she had travel'd a cold winter's day,
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In the evening tide she came to a town,
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When at a Knight's door she then sat her down,
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For to rest herself, who was tired besure;
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This noble Knight's Lady then came to the door.
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Then seeing this creature in such sort of dress,
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This lady unto her these words did express:
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Whence camest thou girl, and what would'st thou have
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She said, A night's rest in your stable I crave.
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The Lady said to her, I'll grant thy desire;
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Come into the kitchen, and stand by the fire.
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Then she thanked the lady, and went in with haste,
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There she was gazed on from the biggest to the least,
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And being well warmed, her hunger being great,
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They gave her a Piece of good Food for to eat;
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Then to an out-house this creature was had,
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Where she with fresh straw then made her a bed.
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And when in the morning the day-light she saw,
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Her riches and jewels she hid in the straw;
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And being very cold, she then bid retire,
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To go to the kitchen and stand by the fire.
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The Cook said, my Lady hath promis'd that thee
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Shalt be as a Scullion for to wait upon me;
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And what say'st thou girl, art willing to bide?
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With all my heart truly, to him she reply'd.
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To work with her needle she could very well,
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And for raising of paste few could her excel:
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She being so handy, the Cook's heart did win,
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And there she was call'd by the name of Catskin.
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The Third Part.
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The Lady had a Son both comely and tall,
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Who oftentimes used for to be at a ball,
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A mile out of town, one evening-tide,
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To dance at this Ball away he did ride.
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Catskin said to his mother, pray Madam, let me
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Go after your son now this ball for to see?
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With that in a passion this lady she grew,
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And struck her with the ladle, and broke it in two.
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And being thus served, she then got away,
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And with her rich garment herself did array:
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Then to this ball she with speed did retire.
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Where she danced so bravely that all did admire.
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The sport being done, this young squire did say,
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Young Lady, where do you live, tell me I pray.
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Her answer to him was, Sir, that will I tell.
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At the sign of the Broken Ladle I dwell.
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She being very nimble, got home first 'tis said,
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And with her Catskin robes she soon was array'd;
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And into the Kitchen again she did go,
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But where she had been then none of them did know.
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Next night this young Squire, himself to content,
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To dance at this ball away again went:
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She said, Pray let me go this ball for to view;
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Then she struck her with a skimmer, and broke it in two
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Then out of doors she ran full of heaviness,
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And with her rich garment herself soon did dress,
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And to this ball she ran away with speed;
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Where to see her dancing all wonder'd indeed.
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The ball being ended, this young Squire then
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Said, Where is it you live? She answer'd again,
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Sir, because you ask me, account I will give,
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At the sign of the broken skimmer I live.
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Being dark, then she left him, and homeward did hie
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And with her Catskin robe was drest presently,
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And into the kitchen amongst them she went,
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But where she had been they were all innocent,
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When the Squire came home, and found Catskin there,
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He was in amaze, and began for to swear,
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For two nights at this ball has been a lady,
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The sweetest of beauties that ever I saw.
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She was the best dancer in all the whole place,
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And very much like our Catskin in the face;
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Had she not been drest in that costly degree,
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I should have sworn it had been Catskin boldly.
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Next night to this ball he did go once more;
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And she asked his mother to go as before;
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Who having a bason of water in her hand,
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She threw it on Catskin, as I understand.
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Shaking her wet ears out of doors she did run,
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And dressed herself; when this thing she had done,
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To the ball once more she then went her ways.
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To see her fine dancing all gave her the praise.
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And having concluded, this young Squire he
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Said, From whence might you come, pray lady tell me?
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Her answer was, Sir, you shall soon know the same,
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From the sign of the bason of water I came.
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Then homeward she hurry'd as fast as could be,
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This young Squire then was resolved to see
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Whereto she belonged; then following Catskin
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Unto an old straw house, he saw her creep in.
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He said, O brave Catskin, I find it is thee
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These three nights together hath so charmed me;
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Thou art the sweetest creature my eyes e'er beheld.
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With joy and content my heart now is fill'd.
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Thou art our cook's skullion, but as I shall have life,
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Grant me but thy love, and I will make thee my wife,
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And you shall have maids for to be at your call.
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Sir, that cannot be, I have no portion at all.
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Thy beauty is a portion, my joy and my dear,
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I prize it far better than a thousand a year;
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And to have my friends-consent I have got a trick:
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I'll go to my bed, and I will feign myself sick.
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There's no one shall tend me but thee I profess;
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So one day or another in thy rich dress
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Thou shalt be clad, and if my parents come nigh,
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I'll tell them 'tis for thee that sick I do lie.
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The Fourth Part.
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Having thus consulted, this couple parted.
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Next day this young Squire he took to his bed;
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And when his dear parents this thing both perceived,
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For fear of his death they were heartily grieved.
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To tend him they sent for a nurse speedily.
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He said, None but Catskin my nurse then shall be.
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His Parents said, No son. He said, but she shall,
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Or else I'll have none to nurse me at all.
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His parents both wonder'd to hear him say thus,
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That no one but Catskin must then be his nurse:
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So then his dear parents their son to content,
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Up into the chamber poor Catskin they sent.
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Sweet cordials and other rich things were prepar'd,
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Which between this couple were equally shar'd;
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And when all alone, they in each others arms
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Enjoy'd one another in love's pleasant charms.
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And at length, on a time, poor Catskin, 'tis said,
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In her rich attire she then was array'd:
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And when that his mother the chamber drew near,
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Then much like a goddess did Catskin appear.
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Which caused her to startle, and [thus] for to say,
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What young lady is this, son, tell me, I pray.
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He said, Why 'tis Catskin, for whom sick I lie,
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And except I have her, with speed I shall die.
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His mother then hasted to call up the Knight
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Who ran up to see this amazing great sight:
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He said, Is this Catskin we held in such scorn?
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I ne'er saw a finer dame since I was born.
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The old Knight said to her, I pray thee tell me,
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From whence thou didst come, and of what Family?
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Then who were her parents she gave them to know,
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And what was the cause of her wandering so,
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The young Squire cry'd, If you will save my life,
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Pray grant this young creature she may be my wife,
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His father reply'd, Thy life for to save,
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If you are agreed, my consent you shall have.
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Next day, with great triumph and joy, as we hear,
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There were many coaches that came far and near;
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Then much like a Goddess, drest in rich array,
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Catskin was marry'd to the Squire that day.
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For several days this great wedding did last,
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Where was many a topping and gallant rich guest;
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And for joy the bells rung all over the town,
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And bottles of Canary roll'd merrily round.
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When Catskin was marry'd, her fame for to raise,
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Who saw her modest carriage all gave her the praise.
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Thus her charming beauty the Squire did win,
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And who lives so great now as he and Catskin.
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The Fifth Part.
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Now in the fifth part I'll endeavour to shew,
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How things with her parents and sister did go.
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Her mother and sister of life are bereft,
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And now all alone the old Squire is left.
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Who hearing his daughter was marry'd so brave
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He said, In my noddle a fancy I have.
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Drest like a poor man now a journey I'll make;
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And see if she on me some pity will take.
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Then drest like a beggar he went to her gate,
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Where stood his daughter, who appear'd very great:
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He cry'd, Noble lady, a poor man I be,
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And I am now forced to crave your charity.
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With a blush she asked from whence that he came
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With that he then told her, and gave her his name.
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She cry'd, I am your daughter whom you slighted so;
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Yet nevertheless to you some kindness I'll shew.
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Through mercy the Lord hath provided for me:
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Pray father come in, and sit down, then said she.
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Then the best provision the house could afford.
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For to make him welcome was set on the board.
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She said, You are welcome, feed hearty, I pray;
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And if you are willing, with me you shall stay
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So long as you live: Then he made this reply,
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I only am come now thy love for to try.
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Through mercy, my child, I am rich and not poor,
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I have gold and silver enough now in store;
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And for this love which at thy hands I have found,
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For thy portion I'll give thee ten thousand good pounds.
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So in few days after, as we understand,
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This man he went home, and sold off his land,
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And ten thousand pounds to his daughter did give
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And now altogether in love they do live.
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