The Berkshire Ladys Garland Part Three read by Zane C Weber

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.

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