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I
THE MAID she went to the well to washe, | |
| Dew fell off her lily-white fleshe. | |
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II
White she washte, and white she rong, | |
| White she hang’d on the hazel wand. | |
| |
III
There came an old palmer by the way, | 5 |
| Says, ‘God speed thee well, thou fair may.’ | |
| |
IV
‘Has tow either cup or can, | |
| To give an old palmer drink therein?’ | |
| |
V
Says, ‘I have neither cup nor can, | |
| To give an old palmer drink therein.’ | 10 |
| |
VI
‘But an thy leman come from Rome, | |
| Cups and cans thou wilt find soon.’ | |
| |
VII
She swore by God and good Saint John | |
| Leman she had never none. | |
| |
VIII
Says, ‘Peace, fair maid, you are forsworne, | 15 |
| Niné children you have borne. | |
| |
IX
‘Three were buryed under thy bed’s head, | |
| Other three under thy brewing lead. | |
| |
X
‘Other three play on yon greene; | |
| Count, maid, and there be nine.’— | 20 |
| |
XI
‘But I hope you are the good old man | |
| That all the world beleeves upon. | |
| |
XII
‘Old palmer, I pray thee, | |
| Penaunce that thou wilt give to me.’— | |
| |
XIII
‘Penaunce I can give thee none | 25 |
| But seven year to be a stepping-stone. | |
| |
XIV
Other seven a clapper in a bell, | |
| Other seven to lead an ape in hell. | |
| |
XV
When thou hast thy penaunce done, | |
| Then thou’st come a mayden home.’ | 30 |
| | | GLOSS: Risit, leadit, stonit] imperatives. rong] wrung. leman] lover. lead] vat. |
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