Long thou for love never so high, Thou weepest, thou gladdest, I sit thee by: With children meat? Nay, love, not so! I will prove thy love with adversitè Wax not weary, mine own wife! Ofter times than in disport. In weal and in woe I am aye to support: Thy mede is marked, when thou art mort: The Nut-Brown Maid 25. He. BE 15th Cent. these men among it right or wrong, Affirming this, how that it is A labour spent in vain To love them wele; for never a dele They love a man again : For let a man do what he can Their favour to attain, Yet if a new to them pursue, Their first true lover than Laboureth for naught; for from her thought 25. never a dele] never a bit. than] then. She. I say not nay, but that all day It is both written and said That woman's faith is, as who saith, But nevertheless, right good witness In this case might be laid He. Then between us let us discuss She. So that ye me answere: I pray you, give an ear. I am the Knight. I come by night, Saying, Alas! thus standeth the case, And I your will for to fulfil In this will not refuse; That men have an ill use- To their own shame-women to blame, And causeless them accuse. in fere] in company together. He. Therefore to you I answer now, All women to excuse Mine own heart dear, with you what cheer? I pray you, tell anone; For, in my mind, of all mankind I love but you alone. It standeth so: a deed is do A shameful death, I trow; Or else to flee. The t' one must be. But to withdraw as an outlaw, And take me to my bow. Wherefore adieu, mine own heart true! For I must to the green-wood go, She. O Lord, what is this worldis bliss, Why say ye so? whither will ye go? All my welfare to sorrow and care Should change, if ye were gone: rede I can] counsel I know. He. I can believe it shall you grieve, Shall soon aslake; and ye shall take Comfort to you again. Why should ye ought? for, to make thought, Your labour were in vain. And thus I do; and pray you to, As hartely as I can: For I must to the green-wood go, She. Now, sith that ye have showed to me I shall be plain to you again, I will not live behind. Shall never be said the Nut-brown Maid Was to her love unkind. Make you ready, for so am I, Although it were anone: For, in my mind, of all mankind He. Yet I you rede to take good heed That ye be gone away Your wanton will for to fulfil, And that ye might for your delight Rather than ye should thus for me Yet would I to the green-wood go, She. Though it be sung of old and young Theirs be the charge that speak so large To part with you the same: He. I counsel you, Remember how Nothing to doubt, but to run out For ye must there in your hand bear And as a thief thus must you live Ever in dread and awe; Whereby to you great harm might grow: Yet had I liever than That I had to the green-wood go, Alone, a banished man. |