A PEPYSIAN GARLAND - online book

Black-letter Broadside Ballads Of The years 1595-1639

	THE WESTERN KNIGHT 12   A Page, thou gallant Dame, quoth he1, I meane thee not to make; But if thou loue me, as I loue thee, for my Bride I will thee take. 13   If honestly you meane, quoth she, that I may trust your word, Yours to command I still will be, at bed and eke at boord. 14    THen he led her by the lilly white hand, vp and downe a Garden greene, What they did, I cannot vnderstand, nor what passed them betweene. 15   When he to her had told his mind, and done what he thought best, His former promises so kind, he turned to a lest. 16   Yet he gaue to her a Ring of gold, to keep as her owne life: And said, that in short time he would, come and make her his wife. 17   Then mounted he vpon his Steed, and rode from the Damsell bright, Saying he would fetch her with speed, but he forgot it quite. 18   When fifteene weeks were come and gone, the Knight came riding by, To whom the Lasse with grieuous moane, did thus lament and cry. 19   Sir Knight, remember your vow quoth she that you to me did say, With child, alas, you haue gotten me, and you can it not denay. 1 Text she. 307                                      vz