Little Katey

Among the lovely maidens
Who serv'd the Prince's hall,
Was shining little Katey
A star above them all.

She like a star was shining
Beyond them all so fair,
As thus to little Katey
The Prince began his prayer.

"But hear me, Little Katey,
"And say thou wilt be mine,
"Seven silk-embroider'd dresses
"I'll give thee to be thine."

"I'll take no broider'd dresses,
"None such on me bestow;
"Those dresses give your Princess,
"Let me with honour go."

"But hear me, little Katey,
"And say thou wilt be mine,
"A fort and moated castle
"I'll give thee to be thine."

"I'll take no fort or castle,
"None such on me bestow;
"Those castles give your Princess,
"Let me with honour go."

"But hear me, little Katey,
"And say thou wilt be mine,
"A crown of gold I'll give thee;
"The brightest shall be thine."

"I'll take no crown or jewels,
"None such on me bestow;
"But give them to your Princess,
"Let me with honour go."

Aloft went little Katey,
And 'fore her lady stood;
"So said my lord, your husband,
"And urged me all he cou'd."

"Should he repeat the offers
"He made to thee to-day,
"Think thou on God Almighty,
"And firmly say him nay."

"But hear me, little Katey,
"If mine thou wilt not be,
"I'll make the gloomiest dungeon
"A dwelling place for thee."

In dark and noisome dungeon
The gentle maid he cast;
Himself the door he bolted,
And lock'd her in it fast.

"But hear me, Little Katey,
"If mine thou wilt not be,
"There yawns a spikeset barrel,
"Is ready now for thee."

Within that spikeset barrel
The gentle maid was bound,
And came himself the tyrant,
And roll'd it round and round.

But tho' her tongue was voiceless,
At heart the prince she bless'd,
And pray'd her heavenly father
To give him peace and rest.

And then two snowy pigeons
Came down from out the sky;
With them the gentle Katey
To heaven was seen to fly.

And two black frightful ravens
Came up from out of hell,
And off to a place of torment
They took the prince to dwell.