ANONYMOUS

He. Mine own dear love, I see the prove

That ye be kind and true; Of maid, of wife, in all my life,

The best that ever I knew.

The case is changed new ; For it were ruth that for your truth

Ye should have cause to rue. Be not dismayed, whatsoever I said

To you when I began : I will not to the green-wood go;

I am no banished man.

She. These tidings be more glad to me

Than to be made a queen, If I were sure they should endure;

But it is often seen When men will break promise they speak

The wordis on the splene. Ye shape some wile me to beguile,

And steal from me, I ween : Then were the case worse than it was,

And I more wo-begone : For, in my mind, of all mankind

I love but you alone.

He. Ye shall not nede further to drede :

I will not disparage You (God defend), sith you descend

Of so great a linage. Now understand : to Westmoreland, Which is my heritage,

on the splene] that is, in haste. SO

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