Page:Two excellent new songs (1).pdf/5

 But your own body I must have,

the king hath granted me.

Would I had drunk the water clear,

when I had drunk the wine,

Rather than any Shepherd’s brat

should be a lady of mine!

Would I had drunk the puddle foul,

when I did drink the ale,

Rather than ever a shepherd’s brat,

Should tell me such a tale!

A Shepherd’s brat even as I was,

you might have let me be;

I never had come to the king’s fair court,

to crave any love of thee.

He set her on a milk white steed,

and himself upon a grey;

He hung a bougle upon her neck,

and so they rode away.

But when they came unto the place,

where marriage rites were done,

She prov’d herself a duke’s daughter,

and he but a squire’s son.

Nowmarry me, or not, sir knight,

your pleasure shall be free;