Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1918.djvu/84

 ANONYMOUS

Than ye shall say another day

That by my cursed rede Ye were betrayed. Wherefore, good maid

The best rede that I can, Is, that I to the green-wood go,

Alone, a banished man.

She. Whatever befall, I never shall

Of this thing be upbraid. But if ye go, and leave me so,

Then have ye ^me betrayed. Remember you wele, how that ye dele;

For if ye, as ye said, Be so unkind to leave behind

Your love, the Nut-brown Maid, Trust me truly that I shall die

Soon after ye be gone. For, in my mind, of all mankind

I love but you alone.

He. If that ye went, ye should repent;

For in the forest now I have purveyed me of a maid

Whom I love more than you. Another more fair than ever \c were

I dare it well avow, And of you both each should be wroth

With other, as I uow It were mine ea^e to live in peace,

So will I, if I can: Wherefore I to the wood wilJ go,

Alone, a banished man.

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