Page:English folk-carols.djvu/60



on my bed with grief oppressed

I laid me down to take my rest,

Into a dream most strange I fell,

Which to the world in brief I'll tell.

Methought an angel all in white

Did come to me, when late at night,

And said: Prepare to go with me!

I'll show strange wonders unto thee.

The angel forc-ed me to go—

Indeed, whether I would or no—

And, in a very little space,

He brought me to a glorious place.

Upon a throne there sat a King;

Many melodiously did sing

All clothed in fine white array,

Which shined brighter than the day.

It was so beautiful and fair

I fain would have continued there;

With that the angel said to me:

Poor soul this is no place for thee.

A little further you must go

For something else I will show.

Then from this place I did depart,

Fullsore it grieved me to the heart.

Into a little room we went

Where was a noisome stinking scent;

For want of sweeping many years

It like a dung-hill did appear.

One came to clear the dirt away;

But it was grown to such decay

He could by no means clean the same;

It did the King's wrath much inflame.

He said: It shall no longer stand;

I will destroy it out of hand;

There is no other hope I see—

This little room shall burned be.