They will not off; I loose hem nought; Marvel not, man, though I sit still. In my love was never desait; All my membres I have opened her to; In my side I have made her nest; Come when she will, she shall have cheer I will abide till she be ready, I will her sue if she say nay; If she be retchless I will be greedy, Fair love, let us go play: Apples ben ripe in my gardayne. bait] resting-place. weet] wet. in fere] together. I shall thee clothe in a new array, Thy sustenance is in my crippe, lo! If thou be foul, I shall thee make clean; If thou mourn ought, I shall thee mene; What wilt thou, soul, that I shall do? What shall I do now with my spouse Her chamber is chosen; is there none mo. My love is in her chamber: hold your peace! My babe I would not were in disease, With my pap I shall her keep; Ne marvel ye not though I tend her to: This wound in my side had ne'er be so deep 25. He. Long thou for love never so high, With children meat? Nay, love, not so! Wax not weary, mine own wife ! What mede is aye to live in comfort? 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 BE 15th Cent. E it right or wrong, these men among 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 He. That woman's faith is, as who saith, But nevertheless, right good witnèss Would not depart; for in her heart She loved but him alone. Then between us let us discuss What was all the manere Between them two: Tell all the pain That she was in. we will also in fere Now I begin, 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, She. And I your will for to fulfil Trusting to show, in wordes few, To their own shame-women to blame. in fere] in company together. Therefore to you I answer now, All women to excuse Mine own heart dear, with you what cheer? For, in my mind, of all mankind He. It standeth so: a deed is do A shameful death, I trow; Or else to flee. The t' one must be. 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. |