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FAIR ROSAMOND.
When as King Henry rul'd this land,
The second of that name;
Besides the queen he loved dear,
A fair and comely dame.
Most peerless was her beauty found,
Her favour and her face:
A sweeter creature in the world,
Could never prince embrace.
Her crisped locks like threads of gold,
Appear'd to each man's sight,
Her comely eyes like orient pearl,
Did cast a heavenly light.
The blood within her crystal cheeks,
Did such a colour drive,
As though the lily and the rose
For mastership did strive.
Fair Rosamond, fair Rosamond,
Her name was called so,
To whom dame Eleanor our queen,
Was known a deadly foe.
The king therefore for her defence,
Against the furious queen,
At Woodstock builded such a bower,
The like was never seen.
