Time running course, and her full stomacke fed,
When consumation of fewe months expired,
Shee husbandlesse, a mayde was brought to bed,
Of that rare _Merlin_ that the world admired:
This to be honest, all her friends did doubt it,
Much prittle prattle was in _Wales_ about it.
So that ere long, the strangnes of the thing,
To heare that Lady _Adhan_ had a childe,
Caus'd famous _Arthur_ (being Brittans King)
Send for her to the Court, and reason milde:
To know how this rare matter could be done,
And make her finde a father for her sonne.
She told his Maiestie with sighes and teares,
That keeping beautie carefull from the Sunne,
Within her chamber safely shut from feares,
Till _Phoebus_ horses to the West were runne:
The doores fast lock'd, and she her selfe alone,
Came in a gallant stranger, meere vnknowne.
Who euer came in courting manner to her,
With all the louing courage could be thought:
So powerfull in perswasions force to woe her,
That to his will constrained she was brought:
Although her heart did firme deniall vow,
Yet she was forc'd to yeeld and knew not how.
So oft he came (quoth she) priuate and strange,
When I shut vp my selfe in most sad humor,
That I began to finde an inward change,
Which brought me quickly to an outward tumor:
An't please your highnes I was in such case,
That to the world I durst not show my face.
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