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(A.D. 1066)
I FOLLOWED my Duke ere I was a lover, | |
| To take from England fief and fee; | |
| But now this game is the other way over— | |
| But now England hath taken me! | |
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| I had my horse, my shield and banner, | 5 |
| And a boy’s heart, so whole and free; | |
| But now I sing in another manner— | |
| But now England hath taken me! | |
| |
| As for my Father in his tower, | |
| Asking news of my ship at sea, | 10 |
| He will remember his own hour— | |
| Tell him England hath taken me! | |
| |
| As for my Mother in her bower, | |
| That rules my Father so cunningly, | |
| She will remember a maiden’s power— | 15 |
| Tell her England hath taken me! | |
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| As for my Brother in Rouen City, | |
| A nimble and naughty page is he, | |
| But he will come to suffer and pity— | |
| Tell him England hath taken me! | 20 |
| |
| As for my little Sister waiting | |
| In the pleasant orchards of Normandie, | |
| Tell her youth is the time for mating— | |
| Tell her England hath taken me! | |
| |
| As for my comrades in camp and highway, | 25 |
| That lift their eyebrows scornfully, | |
| Tell them their way is not my way— | |
| Tell them England hath taken me! | |
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| Kings and Princes and Barons famèd, | |
| Knights and Captains in your degree; | 30 |
| Hear me a little before I am blamèd— | |
| Seeing England hath taken me! | |
| |
| Howso great man’s strength be reckoned, | |
| There are two things he cannot flee. | |
| Love is the first, and Death is the second— | 35 |
| And Love in England hath taken me! | |
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