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Fair Rosamond.

as King Henry rul’d this land, The second of that name; Besides the Queen, he loved dear A fair and comely dame.

Most peerless was her beauty found, Her favour and her face; A sweeter creature in the world Could never prince embrace.

Her crisped locks, like threads of gold, Appear’d to each man’s sight, Her comely eyes like orient pearl, Did cast a heavenly light.

The blood within her crystal cheeks Did such a colour drive, As though the lily and the rose For mastership did strive.

Fair Rosamond, fair Rosamond, Her name was called so, To whom dame Eleanor our Queen, Was known a deadly foe.

The King therefore for her defence, Against the furious Queen, At Woodstock builded such a bower, The like was never seen.

Most curiously that bower was built, Of stone and timber strong,