Chapter XII: Part III

SHOWING HOW THEY MET BY APPOINTMENT IN A GROVE, WHERE SHE OBLIGED HIM TO
FIGHT OR WED HER.

Early on a summer’s morning,
When bright Phoebus was adorning
Every bower with his beams,
The fair lady came, it seems.

At the bottom of a mountain,
Near a pleasant crystal fountain,
There she left her gilded coach,
While the grove she did approach.

Covered with her mask, and walking,
There she met her lover talking
With a friend that he had brought;
So she asked him whom he sought.

‘I am challenged by a gallant,
Who resolves to try my talent;
Who he is I cannot say,
But I hope to show him play.’

‘It is I that did invite you,
You shall wed me, or I’ll fight you,
Underneath those spreading trees;
Therefore, choose you which you please.

‘You shall find I do not vapour,
I have brought my trusty rapier;
Therefore, take your choice,’ said she,
‘Either fight or marry me.’

Said he, ‘Madam, pray what mean you?
In my life I’ve never seen you;
Pray unmask, your visage show,
Then I’ll tell you aye or no.’

‘I will not my face uncover
Till the marriage ties are over;
Therefore, choose you which you will,
Wed me, sir, or try your skill.

‘Step within that pleasant bower,
With your friend one single hour;
Strive your thoughts to reconcile,
And I’ll wander here the while.’

While this beauteous lady waited,
The young bachelors debated
What was best for to be done:
Quoth his friend, ‘The hazard run.

‘If my judgment can be trusted,
Wed her first, you can’t be worsted;
If she’s rich, you’ll rise to fame,
If she’s poor, why! you’re the same.’

He consented to be married;
All three in a coach were carried
To a church without delay,
Where he weds the lady gay.

Though sweet pretty Cupids hovered
Round her eyes, her face was covered
With a mask,—he took her thus,
Just for better or for worse.

With a courteous kind behaviour,
She presents his friend a favour,
And withal dismissed him straight,
That he might no longer wait.