  IHe.Be it right or wrong, these men among On women do complain; Affirming this, how that it is A labour spent in vain To love them wele; for never a dele They love a man again: For let a man do what he can Their favour to attain, Yet if a new to them pursue, Their first true lover than Laboureth for naught; for from her thought He is a banished man. IIShe.I say not nay, but that all day It is both written and said That woman’s faith is, as who saith All utterly decay’d: But nevertheless, right good witnÈss In this case might be laid That they love true and continÙe: Record the Nut-brown Maid, Which, when her love came her to prove, To her to make his moan, Would not depart; for in her heart She loved but him alone. IIIHe.Then between us let us discuss What was all the manere Between them two: we will also Tell all the pain in fere That she was in. Now I begin, So that ye me answere: Wherefore all ye that present be, I pray you, give an ear. I am the Knight. I come by night, As secret as I can, Saying, Alas! thus standeth the case, I am a banished man. IVShe.And I your will for to fulfil In this will not refuse; Trusting to show, in wordÈs few, That men have an ill use— To their own shame—women to blame, And causeless them accuse. Therefore to you I answer now, All women to excuse: Mine own heart dear, with you what cheer? I pray you, tell anone; For, in my mind, of all mankind I love but you alone. VHe.It standeth so: a deed is do Whereof great harm shall grow: My destiny is for to die A shameful death, I trow; None other way I know But to withdraw as an outlÀw, And take me to my bow. Wherefore adieu, mine own heart true! None other rede I can For I must to the green-wood go, Alone, a banished man. VIShe.O Lord, what is this worldis bliss, That changeth as the moon! My summer’s day in lusty May Is darked before the noon. I hear you say, farewell: Nay, nay, We dÈpart not so soon. Why say ye so? whither will ye go? Alas! what have ye done? All my welfÀre to sorrow and care Should change, if ye were gone: For, in my mind, of all mankind I love but you alone. VIIHe.I can believe it shall you grieve, And somewhat you distrain But afterward, your painÈs hard Within a day or twain Shall soon aslake; and ye shall take Comfort to you again. Why should ye ought? for, to make thought, Your labour were in vain. As hartÈly as I can: For I must to the green-wood go, Alone, a banished man. VIIIShe.Now, sith that ye have showed to me The secret of your mind, I shall be plain to you again, Like as ye shall me find. Sith it is so that ye will go, I will not live behind. Shall never be said the Nut-brown Maid Was to her love unkind. Make you read?, for so am I, Although it were anone: For, in my mind, of all mankind I love but you alone. IXHe.Yet I you rede to take good heed What men will think and say: Of young, of old, it shall be told That ye be gone away Your wanton will for to fulfil, In green-wood you to play; And that ye might for your delight No longer make delay. Rather than ye should thus for me Be called an ill womÀn Yet would I to the green-wood go, Alone, a banished man. XShe.Though it be sung of old and young That I should be to blame, Theirs be the charge that speak so large In hurting of my name: For I will prove that faithful love < |
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