In maiden years my beauty bright 5 Was loved dear by lord and knight; But yet the love that they requir'd, It was not as my friends desir'd.
My parents they, for thirst of gain, A husband for me did obtain; 10 And I, their pleasure to fulfil, Was forc'd to wed against my will.
To Matthew Shore I was a wife, Till lust brought ruin to my life; And then my life I lewdly spent, 15 Which makes my soul for to lament.
In Lombard-street I once did dwell, As London yet can witness well; Where many gallants did behold My beauty in a shop of gold. 20
I spread my plumes, as wantons do, Some sweet and secret friende to wooe, Because my love I did not find Agreeing to my wanton mind.
At last my name in court did ring 25 Into the ears of England's king, Who came and lik'd, and love requir'd, But I made coy what he desir'd.
Yet Mistress Blague, a neighbour near, Whose friendship I esteemed dear, 30 Did say, "It is a gallant thing To be beloved of a king."
By her perswasions I was led For to defile my marriage-bed, And wronge my wedded husband Shore, 35 Whom I had lov'd ten years before.
In heart and mind I did rejoyce, That I had made so sweet a choice; And therefore did my state resign, To be King Edward's concubine. 40
From city then to court I went, To reap the pleasures of content; There had the joys that love could bring, And knew the secrets of a king.
When I was thus advanc'd on high, 45 Commanding Edward with mine eye, For Mistress Blague I in short space Obtain'd a living from his Grace.
No friend I had, but in short time I made unto promotion climb; 50 But yet for all this costly pride, My husbande could not me abide.
His bed, tho' wronged by a king, His heart with deadly grief did sting; From England then he goes away 55 To end his life beyond the sea.[L56]
He could not live to see his name Impaired by my wanton shame; Altho' a prince of peerless might Did reap the pleasure of his right. 60
Long time I lived in the court, With lords and ladies of great sort; And when I smil'd, all men were glad, But when I mourn'd, my prince grew sad.
But yet an honest mind I bore 65 To helpless people, that were poor; I still redress'd the orphan's cry, And sav'd their lives condemn'd to dye.
I still had ruth on widows tears, I succour'd babes of tender years; 70 And never look'd for other gain But love and thanks, for all my pain.