Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1900.djvu/69

 And that ye might for your delight No longer make delay Rather than ye should thus for me        Be called an ill womàn Yet would I to the green-wood go, Alone, a banished man.

She. Though it be sung of old and young That I should be to blame, Theirs be the charge that speak so large In hurting of my name: For I will prove that faithful love It is devoid of shame; In your distress and heaviness To part with you the same: And sure all tho that do not so        True lovers are they none: For in my mind, of all mankind I love but you alone.

He. I counsel you, Remember how It is no maiden's law Nothing to doubt, but to run out To wood with an outlàw. For ye must there in your hand bear A bow read? to draw; And as a thief thus must you live Ever in dread and awe; Whereby to you great harm might grow: Yet had I liever than That I had to the green-wood go, Alone, a banished man.

part with] share with. tho] those.