Page:Poems and ballads (IA poemsballads00swinrich).pdf/273



mine, all that be in hall, I have a counsel to you all, Because of this thing God lets fall Among us for a sign. For some days hence as I did eat From kingly dishes my good meat, There flew a bird between my feet As red as any wine. This bird had a long bill of red And a gold ring above his head; Long time he sat and nothing said, Put softly down his neck and fed From the gilt patens fine: And as I marvelled at the last He shut his two keen eyën fast And suddenly woxe big and brast Ere one should tell to nine.