A noble riddle wisele expounded: or, The maids answer to the knights three questions She with her excellent wit and civil carriage, vvon a young knight to joyn with her in marriage. This gallant couple now are man and wife, and she with him doth lead a pleasant life. The tune is Lay the bent to the bonny broom.

A Noble Riddle wisele Expounded : OR , The Maids answer to the Knights three Questions . She with her excellent wit and civil carriage , Won a young Knight to joyn with her in marriage . This gallant couple now are man and wife , And she with him doth lead a pleasant life . The tunels Lay the bent to the bonny broom .

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woodcut of a noblewoman THere was a Lady of the North Country , Lay the bent to the the bonny broom , And she had lovely Daughters three , fa la la la fa la la la ra la . There was a Knight of Noble worth , lay the bent , &c. Which also lived in the North . fa la , &c. The Knight of courage slout and brave , lay the bent , &c. A Wife he did desire to have . fa la , &c. He knocked at the Ladies Gate , lay the bent , &c. One evening when it was very late , fa la , &c. The youngest sister she let him in , lay the bent , &c. And pin'd the doore with a silver pin fa la , &c. The second sister she made his bed , lay the bent , &c. And laid soft Pillows under his head , fa la , &c. The youngest Daughter that same night lay the bent . &c. She went to bed with this young Knight fa la , &c. And in the morning when it was day . lay the bent &c. These words unto him set did say fa la , &c. Now you have had your will quoth she lay the bent &c. I pray sir Knight will you m●rry me ? fa la , &c. The young brave knight to her reply'd , lay the bent . &c. Thy suit feir Maid shall not be deny'd . fa la , &c.

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woodcut of knight IF thou canst answer me questions thrée , lay the bent to the bonny broom , This v●ry day will I marry thee , fa la , &c. Kind sir in love O then quoth she lay the bent . &c. Tell me what your questions be , fa la . &c. O what is longer then she way ? lay the bent . &c Or what is deeper then the Sea ? fa la . &c. O what is louder then a Horn ? lay the bent , &c. Or what is sharper then a Thorn ? fa la . &c. Or what is greener then the Grasse ? lay the bent . &c. Or what is worse then women was ? fa la . &c ,

Here followeth the Damsels answers , to the Knights three questions . O Love is longer then the way , lay the bent , &c , And Hell is deeper than the Sea , fa la &c , And thunder's louder than a horn , lay the bent , &c. And ●angers sharper than a thorn , fa la , &c. And p●●son is gréener then the grass , lay the bent , &c. And the Divel is worse than woman 〈◇〉 , fa la , &c. When she these questions answered ha● . Lay the bent . &c. The Knight became excéeding glad , fa la . &c. And having throughly try'd her wit , lay the bent . &c. He much commended her for it , fa la , &c , And after as 't is verify'd , lay the bent , &c. He made of her his lovely Bride , fa la , &c. So now fair Maidens all adieu , lay the bent , &c. This Song I dedicate to you , fa lay , &c. I wish that you may consta●● prove . lay the bent , &c. Vnto the man that you doe fa la , &c.