Page:Poems and ballads (IA poemsballads00swinrich).pdf/303

 But thou do this thou shalt be shortly slain. Lo, sir, she said, this death and all this pain I take in penance of my bitter sins. Yea now, quoth Gabalus, this game begins. Lo, without sin one shall not live a span. Lo, this is she that would not look on man Between her fingers folded in thwart wise. See how her shame hath smitten in her eyes That was so clean she had not heard of shame. Certes, he said, by Gabalus my name, This two years back I was not so well pleased. This were good mirth for sick men to be eased And rise up whole and laugh at hearing of. I pray thee show us something of thy love, Since thou wast maid thy gown is waxen wide. Yea, maid I am, she said, and somewhat sighed, As one who thought upon the low fair house Where she sat working, with soft bended brows Watching her threads, among the school-maidens. And she thought well now God had brought her thence She should not come to sew her gold again. Then cried King Gabalus upon his men To have her forth and draw her with steel gins. And as a man hag-ridden beats and grins And bends his body sidelong in his bed, So wagged he with his body and knave's head, Gaping at her, and blowing with his breath. And in good time he gat an evil death