ANONYMOUS
Levedi,[1] al for thine sake
Longinge is y-lent me on.[2]
In world his non so wyter mon[3]
That al hire bountè telle con;
Hire swyre[4] is whittore than the swon,
Ant feyrest may[5] in toune.
An hendy hap, etc.
Icham for wowyng al for-wake,[6]
Wery so water in wore;[7]
Lest eny reve me my make[8]
Ichabbe y-yerned yore.[9]
Betere is tholien whyle sore[10]
Then mournen evermore.
Geynest under gore,[11]
Herkne to my roun[12]—
An hendy hap, etc.
3.
Spring-tide
c.1300
LENTEN ys come with love to toune,[13]
With blosmen ant with briddes roune,
That al this blisse bryngeth;
Dayes-eyes in this dales,
Notes suete of nyhtegales,
Vch foul song singeth;
- ↑ levedi] lady.
- ↑ y-lent me on] arrived to me.
- ↑ so wyter mon] so wise a man.
- ↑ swyre] neck.
- ↑ may] maid.
- ↑ for-wake] worn out with vigils.
- ↑ so water in wore] as water in a weir.
- ↑ reve] rob.
- ↑ y-yerned yore] long been distressed.
- ↑ tholien] to endure.
- ↑ geynest under gore] comeliest under woman's apparel.
- ↑ roun] tale, lay.
- ↑ to toune] in its turn.
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