Page:Life and death of fair Rosamond (2).pdf/2



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.