Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1900.djvu/126

 NICHOLAS BRETON

1542-1626

73. Phillida and Coridon

In the merry month of May, In a morn by break of day. Forth I walk'd by the wood-side When as May was in his pride: There I spièd all alone Phillida and Coridon. Much ado there was, God wot! He would love and she would not. She said, Never man was true; He said, None was false to you. He said, He had loved her long; She said, Love should have no wrong. Coridon would kiss her then; She said, Maids must kiss no men Till they did for good and all; Then she made the shepherd call All the heavens to witness truth Never loved a truer youth. Thus with many a pretty oath, Yea and nay, and faith and troth, Such as silly shepherds use When they will not Love abuse, Love, which had been long deluded, Was with kisses sweet concluded; And Phillida, with garlands gay, Was made the Lady of the May.