'But since your Grace on foreign coasts, Among your foes unkind, Must go to hazard life and limb, Why should I stay behind? 'Nay, rather let me, like a page, Your sword and target bear, That on my breast the blows may light, Which would offend you there. 'So I your presence may enjoy, But wanting you, my life is death; 'Content thyself, my dearest love, 'My Rose shall safely here abide, With music pass the day; Whilst I, among the piercing pikes, 'And you, Sir Thomas, whom I trust To be my love's defence; Be careful of my gallant Rose And therewithal he fetch'd a sigh Not one plain word could speak. And at their parting well they might For when his Grace had past the seas, And forth she calls this trusty knight Who with his clue of twined thread And when that they had wounded him But when the queen with steadfast eye Beheld her beauteous face, She was amazed in her mind At her exceeding grace. 'Cast off from thee those robes,' she said, 'That rich and costly be; And drink thou up this deadly draught, Which I have brought to thee.' Then presently upon her knees And pardon of the queen she craved 'Take pity on my youthful years,' Fair Rosamund did cry; 'And let me not with poison strong Enforced be to die.' And with these words, her lily hands But nothing could this furious queen She gave this comely dame to drink, And from her bended knee arose, And casting up her eyes to heaven And drinking up the poison strong, Her life she lost withal. And when that death through every limb Her body then they did entomb, At Godstowe, near to Oxford town, T. Delone CXV THE HITCHEN MAY-DAY SONG R EMEMBER us poor Mayers all ! To lead our lives in righteousness, We have been rambling all the night, And now returned back again, We have brought you a branch of May. A branch of May we have brought you, It is but a sprout, but it's well budded out The hedges and trees they are so green, Our heavenly Father He water'd them The heavenly gates are open wide, The life of man is but a span, It flourishes like a flower; We are here to-day and gone to-morrow, The moon shines bright, and the stars give a light, A little before it is day : So God bless you all, both great and small, And send you a joyful May! Old Song CXVI THE SPANISH LADY'S LOVE LL you hear a Spanish lady WILL How she woo'd an English man? Garments gay and rich as may be, Decked with jewels, had she on ; Of a comely countenance and grace was she, As his prisoner there he kept her, In his courteous company was all her joy, At the last there came commandment For to set the ladies free, With their jewels still adorned, None to do them injury: 'Alas!' then said this lady gay, 'full woe is me; O let me still sustain this kind captivity! "O gallant captain, show some pity To a lady in distress; |