Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1918.djvu/109

 RICHARD EDWARDES

She was full weary of her watch, and grieved with her child, She rocked it and rated it, till that on her it smiled. Then did she say, Now have I found this proverb true to

prove, The falling out of faithful friends renewing is of love.

Then took I paper, pen, and ink, this proverb for to write, In register for to remain of such a worthy wight: As she proceeded thus in song unto her little brat, Much matter utter'd she of weight, in place whereas she sat. And proved plain there was no beast, nor creature bearing life, Could well be known to live in love without discord and strife" Then kissed she her little babe, and sware by God above, The falling out of faithful friends renewing is of love.

She said that neither king nor princenorlordcouldlivearight, Until their puissance they did prove, their manhood and

their might. When manhood shall be matched so that fear can take no

place,

Then weary works make warriors each other to embrace, And left their force that failed them, which did consume

the rout, That might before have lived their time, their strength and

nature out. Then did she sing as one that thought no man could her

reprove, The falling out of faithful friends renewing is of love.

She said she saw no fish nor fowl, nor beast within her haunt, That met a stranger in their kind, but could give it a taunt Since flesh might not endure, but rest must wrath succeed, And force the fight to fall to play in pasture where they feed,

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