Ranging the wood, did find her there, Round beset with sorrow; Maid, (quoth he) good morrow, 'What hard hap hath brought you here?''Harder hap did never, 'Chance to a maiden ever, . Here lies slain my brother dear.' Till his heart was set on fire; If, fair maid, (quoth he) 'You will go with me, 'You shall have your heart's desire.' He brought her to his mother, And above all other He set forth this maiden's praise; Long was his heart inflamed, At length her love he gained, So fortune did his glory raise. Thus unknown he match'd With the king's fair daughter; Children seven he had Ere she to him was known; But when he understood He showed forth her fame; In party-colours strange to see, The right side cloth of gold, The left side to behold Of woollen cloth still framed he : Men thereat did wonder, Golden fame did thunder This strange deed in every place : The king of France came thither, Being pleasant weather, In the woods the hart to chase. The children there did stand, Must of force come by ; Most comely to the eye. When this famous king, Noting every thing, Did ask how he durst be so bold To let his wife to wear, And deck his children there, In costly robes of pearl and gold. The forester bold replied, And the cause descried, And to the king he thus did say, Well may they, by their mother, "Wear rich clothes with other, 'Being by birth a princess gay.' The king, upon these words, Most heedfully beheld them, Till a crimson blush His conceit did cross : 'The more I look (quoth he) 'Upon thy wife and children, The more I call to mind 'My daughter whom I lost.' ‹ I am that child (quoth she, Falling on her knee,) Pardon me, my sovereign liege.' The king perceiving this, His daughter dear did kiss, Till joyful tears did stop his speech : With his train he turned, And with her sojourned; Straight he dub'd her husband knight; He made him earl of Flanders, One of his chief commanders; Thus was their sorrow put to flight. BALLAD XII. THE FAMOUS FLOWER OF SERVING-MEN: OR, THE LADY TURN'D SERVING-MAN. You beauteous ladies, great and small, I was by birth a lady fair, My father's chief and only heir; Then I was made a young knight's bride. And then my love built me a bower, But there came thieves late in the night, They robb'd my bower, and slew my knight; And after that my knight was slain, I could no longer there remain. My servant, all from me did fly, With a heart more cold than any stone. Yet, though my heart was full of care, And therewithall I cut my hair, With a silver rapier by my side, Thus in my sumptuous man's array, Then to the king I bow'd full low, That I a serving-man's place might have. 'Stand up, brave youth, (the king replied,) Thy service shall not be denied ; 'But tell me first what thou can'st do, 'Thou shalt be fitted thereunto. 'Wilt thou be usher of my hall, |