Then to the king I bowed full low, My love and duty for to show, And so much favour I did crave That I a serving-man’s place might have.
“Stand up, brave youth,” the king replyd, “Thy service shall not be denyd; But tell me first what thou canst do; Thou shalt be fitted thereunto.
“Wilt thou be usher of my hall, To wait upon my nobles all? Or wilt thou be taster of my wine, To wait on me when I shall dine?
“Or wilt thou be my chamberlain, To make my bed both soft and fine? Or wilt thou be one of my guard? And I will give thee thy reward.”
Sweet William, with a smiling face, Said to the king, “If’t please your grace To show such favour unto me, Your chamberlain I fain would be.”
The king then did the nobles call, To ask the counsel of them all, Who gave consent Sweet William he The king’s own chamberlain should be.
Now mark what strange things came to pass: As the king one day a hunting was, With all his lords and noble train, Sweet William did at home remain.
Sweet William had no company then With him at home but an old man; And when he saw the coast was clear, He took a lute which he had there.
Upon the lute Sweet William plaid, And to the same he sung and said, With a pleasant and most noble voice, Which made the old man to rejoyce:
_My father was as brave a lord As ever Europe did afford; My mother was a lady bright, My husband was a valiant knight._
_And I my self a lady gay, Bedeckt with gorgeous rich array; The bravest lady in the land Had not more pleasures to command._
_I had my musick every day, Harmonious lessons for to play; I had my virgins fair and free, Continually to wait on me._
_But now, alas! my husband’s dead, And all my friends are from me fled; My former joys are past and gone, For now I am a serving-man._
At last the king from hunting came, And presently upon the same He called for the good old man, And thus to speak the king began.
“What news, what news, old man?” quod he; “What news hast thou to tell to me?” “Brave news,” the old man he did say; “Sweet William is a lady gay.”
“If this be true thou tellest me I ’le make thee a lord of high degree; But if thy words do prove a lye, Thou shalt be hanged up presently.”
But when the king the truth had found, His joys did more and more abound; According as the old man did say, Sweet William was a lady gay.