Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1900.djvu/471

 382. The Seven Virgins.

A CAROL

All under the leaves and the leaves of life I met with virgins seven, And one of them was Mary mild, Our Lord's mother of Heaven.

'O what are you seeking, you seven fair maids. All under the leaves of life? Come tell, come tell, what seek you All under the leaves of life?'

'We're seeking for no leaves, Thomas, But for a friend of thine; We're seeking for sweet Jesus Christ, To be our guide and thine.'

'Go down, go down, to yonder town, And sit in the gallery, And there you'll see sweet Jesus Christ Nail'd to a big yew-tree.'

So down they went to yonder town As fast as foot could fall, And many a grievous bitter tear From the virgins' eyes did fall.

'O peace, Mother, O peace, Mother, Your weeping doth me grieve: I must suffer this,' He said, 'For Adam and for Eve.