Page:Poems and ballads (IA poemsballads00swinrich).pdf/327



the beginning God made thee A woman well to look upon, Thy tender body as a tree Whereon cool wind hath always blown Till the clean branches be well grown.

There was none like thee in the land; The girls that were thy bondwomen Did bind thee with a purple band Upon thy forehead, that all men Should know thee for God’s handmaiden.

Strange raiment clad thee like a bride, With silk to wear on hands and feet And plates of gold on either side: Wine made thee glad, and thou didst eat Honey, and choice of pleasant meat.